Electrically operated hydraulic actuator with force feedback depending on the position

摘要

A proportional hydraulic valve has a primary control spool with a force feedback actuator attached to one end, wherein the control spool meters flow of fluid to a work port. The force feedback actuator includes a piston coupled to the control spool and defining a first control chamber and a second control chamber on opposite sides of the piston. The surface of the piston has a depression with a first tapered section and a second tapered section. The force feedback actuator includes first electrohydraulic valve with a valve element that meters pressurized fluid selectively to the first and second control chambers to move the piston in opposite directions and produce motion of the control spool. A solenoid exerts a first force that on the valve element. A pilot pin engages the piston and the valve element, whereby, movement of the pilot pin on the first and second tapered sections of the piston applies a second force to the valve element. The second force corresponds to the position of the control spool and closes the valve element when the control spool is at a desired location corresponding to magnitude of the first force.