Miniaturized hydraulic valve, and applications thereof in robot systems

Abstract

An electrohydraulic valve includes a valve housing having a common chamber and a metering port in communication with the common chamber. The valve housing is coupled to a valve manifold having an inlet port and an outlet port. A first nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet port has a first orifice. A second nozzle in fluid communication with the outlet port has a second orifice. A first valve disposed within the common chamber is operable to move the first valve between a closed position where the first valve closes the first orifice and an open position where the first valve opens the first orifice. A second valve disposed within the common chamber is operable to move the second valve between a closed position where the second valve closes the second orifice and an open position where the second valve opens the second orifice.