doi: 10.52899/24141437_2026_01_23
UDK: 62-351

Calculation of Forces for Slide Valve Spool Movements in Two-Spool Hydraulic Distributor

Булатов Д. А., Ершов А. В., Софронов И. А.
Article language:
Citation Link: Bulatov DА, Ershov AV, Sofronov IA. Calculation of Forces for Slide Valve Spool Movements in Two-Spool Hydraulic Distributor. Transactions of the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University. 2026;5(1):23–30. DOI: 10.52899/24141437_2026_01_23 EDN: AONAGI

Annotation

BACKGROUND: According to the Russian Federation’s Maritime Doctrine, today, urgent tasks include seabed exploration and underwater maintenance in coastal zones and the development and maintenance of underwater infrastructure, including for oil and gas transportation. One of the main components of the underwater hydraulic system is the hydraulic distributor with a spool and sleeve as the main working part. Slide valve spools and sleeves are rarely considered when designing hydraulic distributors; however, they have some advantages that make them relevant for hydraulic distributors used in unmanned undersea vehicles. AIM: To derive an equation of forces acting when the slide valve spool moves from the normal valve position to the operating position based on the design diagram of the distributor with a slide valve spool and sleeve; to estimate their values, and to test a sample distributor to verify theoretical calculations. METHODS: Description of the force equation to demonstrate that a slide valve spool can move from the normal position to the operating position. A hydraulic distributor prototype with a slide valve spool and sleeve was tested with MGE-10A working fluid at a pressure of 5.9 MPa and ambient temperature of about 25°C. RESULTS: The equation of forces is presented based on an assumption that when the slide valve spool of a two-spool distributor moves from the normal to the operating position, the force created by the ejector piston interacts with other forces. A geometry analysis of the distributor parts was performed based on the calculation and it was concluded that it was required to change it. CONCLUSION: Tests of a hydraulic distributor prototype with a slide valve spool and sleeve verified the calculations using the described equation and allow to consider it useful for designs of a slide valve spool and sleeve. The discrepancy with the theoretical calculation may be caused by the adopted friction coefficient value. Keywords: underwater equipment; slide valve spool and sleeve; hydraulic distributor; equation of forces for slide valve movements from the normal to the operating position; friction coefficient.

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