The application of a piezoelectric stack for control of small flow intensity hydraulic fluid

This paper aims to present the throttle valve, in which a piezoelectric stack was used for adjustment of the flow section area of the throttle aperture. The valve was built based on a proprietary design, using the components of a standard manufactured overflow valve. Laboratory tests were carried out to establish the valve´s characteristics, describing its usefulness for control of small flow intensity. LabView software was used for measuring the data gathered. The test results, after conversion, were developed using the Matlab/Simuling software package. This paper presents the most notable results of the tests of a valve equipped with a high-voltage piezoelectric stack. Based on the results obtained, the functional correlation between the volumetric flow rate, pressure drop in the throttling aperture and control signal input to the piezoelectric stack were determined.