Hr Textron, Inc.

Woodward Hrt, Inc.

Ronald D Olson

Mario Armando Rodriguez

Torin R Lewis

Torin Lewis

A servovalve torque motor includes first and second pole pieces and an armature. Each of the first and second pole pieces includes an armature face that opposes the armature. The area of the armature face of the second pole piece is smaller than the area of the armature face of the first pole piece. The unequal areas of the first and second armature faces create a bias in the servovalve torque motor while allowing the first and second pole pieces to be disposed at equal distances from the armature to define substantially equal air gaps. The inclusion of substantially equal air gaps between the pole pieces and the armature reduces the maximum flux in the armature for the same bias and torque output, compared to conventional servovalve torque motors. The reduction in maximum armature flux decreases armature saturation and improves linearity during operation.

Torque motor linearization

A servovalve has a sleeve having both a first metering aperture and a second metering aperture in fluid communication with a single port cavity defined by the servovalve. A spool oriented within the sleeve has a first land and a second land and defines a channel oriented between the first land and the second land. When the spool orients in a null position within the sleeve, the first land overlaps the first metering aperture and the second land overlaps the second metering aperture. As a low viscosity fluid within the servovalve assembly leaks across the first land and enters the channel, the overlap of the first and second lands with the first and second metering apertures minimizes flow of the fluid from the channel into the port cavity associated with the metering apertures. The configuration of the sleeve assembly, therefore, maintains a relatively large pressure gain within the servovalve assembly.

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Mission Hills, CA, United States of America

Ronald D Olson