# Flow Analysis of a Novel, Three-Way Cartridge Flow Control Valve
###### Abstract  
Flow control valves are designed to maintain a constant flow rate regardless of pressure changes. However, standard, two-way design may cause significant energy losses due to the need to maintain high pressure in the supply line. In contrast, the proposed three-way valve allows the required flow rate to be obtained at a supply pressure slightly above the loading pressure. This work included building mathematical and simulation models, conducting numerical simulations in Ansys/Fluent and Matlab/Simulink environments, and verifying the results by initial test bench experiments on a valve prototype. The main contribution provided by the work concerns the proposal of a new valve solution and the estimation of its operational characteristics.  
hydraulic valve; flow control valve; three-way valve; cartridge valve; CFD analysis; Ansys; numerical simulation; Simulink +
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-864 Cracow, Poland 1  
Footnote 1: email: [EMAIL_ADDRESS].  
directional cartridge valve. Numerous further studies have addressed the usage of flow control valves in special applications such as an electro-hydraulic hitch control valve of an agricultural tract [7], a metering valve for adjusting the flow rate at the inlet and outlet ports of the boom cylinder of an excavator [8], a fuel flow rate control system for aeroengines [9] or a flow control valve for stroke speed adjustment of a robotic lifting device [10]. Furthermore, similar solutions related to flow rate control are also used in hydraulic drives of vehicles, including tracked ones [11] and articulated ones [12]. In the field of research on the use of advanced flow control valve regulation techniques, one can find articles related to neural networks and genetic algorithms. Artificial neural networks are used as adaptive components of hydraulic control systems, e.g., to regulate flow rate without the flowmeter [13; 14], or approximate and compensate flow rate changes due to load disturbances [15]. Genetic algorithms are utilised mainly for optimisation, e.g., to adjust parameters of a stepless flow control system [16] or a dual-mode wheel loader hydraulic steering system [17]. Numerical analyses of hydraulic components and systems are often conducted using CFD methods. Among the latest publications in this field, one can mention the work on the study of flow through tandem square cylinders [18], improvement of a ball control valve performance [19], a study on a spool valve flow force compensation [20] and the transient flow analysis of a proportional two-solenoid valve [21] as well as a check valve [22].  
This article concerns numerical and experimental studies of a cartridge-type three-way flow regulator for installation in a valve block. The studies are aimed at estimating the flow forces acting on the valve spool and determining its operational characteristics. The proposed valve is advantageous compared with the standard, two-way constructions because it ensures maintaining the set flow rate in the working line without the need to maintain high supply pressure. Moreover, it is a reliable valve with a relatively simple design and manual adjustment by the operator and does not contain electronic measurement and regulation equipment. It can be a crucial flow control component of a hydraulic drive, especially in the case of operational or environmental conditions that preclude the use of electronic systems and electrical power.