Nonlinear modeling and stability analysis of a pilot-operated valve-control hydraulic system

A nonlinear dynamic model is developed to analyze the stability of a pilot-operated valve-control hydraulic system. The dynamic model includes motion of the valve spool and fluid dynamics in the system. Characteristics such as pressure flow across the valve port and orifices, pressure, and flow rate in valve chambers are taken into consideration. Bifurcation analysis is proposed and examined by numerical simulation results when the feedback orifice diameter changes. The effects of different system parameters such as pilot-operating pressure, spring stiffness, and overlap of inlet port on the stability border of the system are studied by two-dimensional bifurcation analyses. The study identifies that bifurcation can occur in the system and lead to sustained self-excited vibration with parameters in certain region of the parameter space. It suggests that the vibration can be effectively predicted and prevented by selecting system parameters from the asymptotic stable parameter region.