Current hydraulic systems rely on 20th century design and technology which is now outdated and unreliable.
The reliability of hydraulic components is fundamental to achieving optimal performance in day-to-day operations. At Domin, we use a novel approach to design and manufacturing to create high performing and reliable servo valves.
A reliable servo valve performs consistently over its lifetime in challenging environments, including high temperatures, vibration, shocks, corrosion, dirty oil, and high internal pressures with little to no downtime.
If a valve breaks unexpectedly, this can have a major impact on the overall performance of the larger hydraulic system which may be costly and time consuming to fix. In more critical applications such as heavy industry and aerospace, a loss of control due to valve failure could result in a major safety risk.
What Makes Domin Servo Valves Reliable?
By comparing Domin’s direct drive servo valve and a traditional two-stage servo valve, we can identify the key differences that make our valves more reliable.
Firstly, the pilot stage on a traditional two-stage servo valve increases the risk of blockages and fluid contamination. Domin’s direct drive valves do not have a pilot stage. Instead, they include fewer components and galleries which reduces the complexity of the design, making them easier to maintain. The lack of pilot stage also makes Domin valves more energy efficient as there is little to no leakage into the outside world.
Secondly, we use additive manufacturing to design our valves in a way that removes the need for high pressure seals to atmosphere. These are commonly used in two-stage servo valves to prevent high pressure fluid leaking to atmosphere between the interfaces in the valve. The downside to these seals is that they are prone to damage so can be costly and time consuming to replace.
Reliable and Modern Onboard Electronics
When traditional two-stage valves were first designed, it wasn’t possible to have onboard electronics as the circuits were too big and bulky. Instead, a separate centralised system was, and still is used to this day. Not only does this make the overall hydraulic system heavier and more complex, but the electronics used are often outdated too.
At Domin, we use modern electronics which enable us to implement advanced control systems, data processing and analysis, enhanced connectivity and communication between devices (which can be used for remote diagnostics), accurate position sensing and much more. These modern components are less prone to failure and take up less space than the centralised electronics circuit.
Rigorous Testing and Quality Control
One of the other ways that we ensure reliability at Domin is through rigorous testing and quality control. Each valve we produce is put through simulations before being tested. This shows us whether the valve will perform under the harshest conditions and provides certainty that it will operate effectively throughout its life span.
At Domin, we have completely redesigned the servo valve with reliability in mind. Our valve technology is world class and is shaping the future of hydraulics. If you are interested in upgrading your system to make it more reliable, contact our Sales team.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on A Comparison of Two-Stage and Direct Drive Servo Valves.
