Comprehensive performance improvement of a water hydraulic high-speed on/off valve for underwater hydraulic manipulators using a multi-objective optimization method

Abstract

In ocean exploration, underwater hydraulic manipulators (UHMs) driven by water hydraulics may become favored over oil-based systems because of their eco-friendliness and ability for continuous operation. A water hydraulic high-speed on/off valve (WHSV), with good sealing and fast response, may be used as a core control component of UHM. The comprehensive performance of the WHSV needs to be improved to enhance the accuracy, continuity, and reliability of UHM. In this study, the relationship between the negative voltage and the WHSV characteristics, including dynamic performance, power losses, and impact performance, is studied by finite element simulation. Furthermore, a multi-objective optimization method is proposed to improve the comprehensive performance of the WHSV. This method integrates the optimal Latin hypercube sampling method, universal Kriging surrogate model, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution methods to optimize the equivalent amplitude and duration of the negative voltage. Our findings reveal that the closing time decreases with the increase in the equivalent amplitude and duration of the negative voltage, while the opposite is observed in the power losses and maximum impact equivalent stress of the valve seat. Optimization results show a slight 3.3% increase in closing time of the WHSV but significant reductions in total power loss (9.8%), maximum impact equivalent stress (14.5%), and maximum total deformation (19.8%). This study provides a practical optimization approach for enhancing the comprehensive performance of the WHSV for improved UHM operation.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

water hydraulic / high-speed on/off valve / dynamic response / power loss / impact characteristics / multi-objective optimization / underwater hydraulic manipulator

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