Intelligent hydraulic valve is configured in software

Shelley Nation, CMA lead engineer for mobile valves at Eaton, comments: "Eaton's new CMA advanced mobile valve with independent metering dramatically streamlines and simplifies everything, from design and setup to operation and optimisation. Mobile equipment manufacturers are looking for products that enhance productivity and efficiency, maintain a competitive cost structure and provide real-time data."

As part of Eaton's advanced class of Dynamic Machine Control portfolio, the CMA valve empowers original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to impact and improve every phase of the machine life cycle. Through intelligent features, the valve provides a new level of efficiency, productivity and predictive maintenance, such as:

• Improve controllability using advanced control algorithms that can be easily configured, on the spot, to a customer's machine's specific setup. Additionally, with independent metering, which allows for independent meter-in and meter-out, there is smooth and efficient load control under all load conditions.
• Enable new capabilities with the ability to seamlessly switch between velocity and force control modes.
• Faster commissioning is possible thanks to a software interface that enables users to set up and tune the valve in software rather than swapping parts as seen in other conventional mobile valves.
• Real-time diagnostics are shared from on-board sensors that monitor pressure, temperature, position and flow, thereby helping users to detect and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
• Hose burst detection prevents costly spills by monitoring flow to and from the service and closing the service if a leak is detected.
• Minimise downtime with a limp mode that enables end users, in the event of sensor failure, to work at a reduced rate until the machine can be serviced.
• In the event of pump saturation, the intelligent valves can share the load in a predetermined, prioritised way so that machine functionality is maintained - and there is no longer a need to over-specify pumps.

The innovative CMA valve, which is available in two frame sizes with rated flows of 90 or 200 litres per minute (LPM), respectively, improves machine performance without the need to compromise. Independent metering on the valve enables each spool to control its own work port for consistent speed and better control on services that transition between passive and over-running states. Because the complexity lies in the software, not the mechanical components, parts count is minimised and reliability is enhanced. Furthermore, each valve's configuration can be backed up so that, should it ever need to be replaced, the hardware can be swapped and the software uploaded to replicate the previous valve in very little time. the fact that valve characteristics are configured in software also makes it easy to manufacture multiple machines without having to stock different numerous valve components; likewise, stockholding of spares is reduced substantially.

Real-time diagnostics and hose burst detection are possible due to the use of a twin-spool architecture, on-board sensors and data processing that provide pressure information to the user interface and implements proprietary Eaton control strategies to optimise performance.

Mike Rannow, a CMA controls engineer at Eaton, states: "The independent-metering, on-board electronics, sensor feedback and dynamic capability of the valve allow for unlimited flexibility in designing control algorithms and advanced features that can be tuned for unique applications."

Additionally, the new valve's software-driven setup reduces design and build costs and speeds time to market. Combined with Eaton's Pro-FX family of electronic controls and software, the valve easily integrates with controls and allows performance optimisations to be made and tested in seconds instead of months. Pre-built software libraries and industry-standard protocols such as J1939 and CANopen also dramatically reduce development time.

A further innovation is the use of voice coils instead of the usual solenoids for precise control over the pilot valves.

Eaton's global network of certified experts is providing world-class support to manufacturers commissioning equipment that incorporates the new valve. With a vast distribution network, local support for specifying, prototyping, assembly and commissioning, is available to help get new equipment to market faster.

Follow the link for more information and to watch a video about Eaton's new CMA advanced mobile valve. Manufacture is due to commence in Eaton's factory in Havant, UK, by June 2016.