Posted to News on 17th Jun 2008, 16:59
Hydraulic control valves receive FIA homologation
Three control valves from Moog Controls have received homologation (approval) from the FIA for use with the 2008 standard Engine Control Unit (ECU).
To race in events such as Formula One, a vehicle and its constituent components must be homologated by the FIA (motor sport's world governing body). In addition, events administered by other organisations, such as the Motor Sports Association (MSA), the sole motor sport governing body for the United Kingdom, may also restrict the selection of components to those with FIA homologation.
The components from Moog Controls that have been homologated are the E024 and E050 range of servo valves, used by all the F1 teams, and the E050 series micro-solenoid valve.
F1 hydraulics generally operate at temperatures of up to 135degC, compared to approximately 60degC on typical industrial systems. In any hydraulic circuit, throttling flow generates heat, which in most industrial systems is dissipated by means of large reservoirs and coolers. In contrast, F1 hydraulic reservoirs and coolers are designed to be small and light; with minimal oil in the system, temperatures rise quickly.
One consequence of high oil temperatures can be low viscosity. Therefore both the E024 and E050 have been specifically designed and optimised to perform to specification, even in these extreme conditions.
The E024 and E050 series valves are high-performance proportional valves used for rapid and precise closed-loop control of hydraulic actuators. Typical applications include:
- Gear selection
- Clutch actuation
- Throttle actuation
- Control of the differential
Some car functions require only on-off hydraulic control. These include engaging reverse gear and opening the 'cat-flap,' an access door to the fuel filler. F1 cars also include a special safety feature, the clutch-disengagement system, used after accidents or breakdowns. Pressing a red button on the dashboard dumps oil stored in an accumulator into the clutch slave cylinder, which opens the clutch and permits race marshals to push the car off the circuit.
For these applications, Moog developed the E050-747 micro-solenoid valve. The three-way, normally closed, two-position valve weighs less than 40g, making it one of the smallest direct-acting hydraulic solenoid valves available. The valve comprises a single passive coil with a resistance of 135 ohms at 25degC. It is available in four versions, identical electrically, the only difference being the size of internal orifices to optimise the valve for different pressures.
