In modern missile system, precise guidance and control is the core to ensure the strike accuracy and operational effectiveness. As the key actuator in the missile flight control system, the servo valve’s performance directly affects the missile’s maneuverability and hit accuracy. This paper will discuss the technical principle of how to realize accurate control of missiles through servo valves and its importance in modern weapon systems.
First, the basic principle of servo valve
Servo valve is a high-precision hydraulic control valve, which can quickly and accurately adjust the flow and direction of hydraulic oil according to the input electrical signal, thus driving the actuator such as the steering gear of the missile. It is usually composed of electromagnetic coil, feedback mechanism and hydraulic amplifier, and has the characteristics of fast response, large output force and high control accuracy.
In the course of missile flight, the flight control system obtains the flight attitude and target information through inertial measurement unit (IMU), radar or infrared seeker, and after being processed by the guidance computer, it generates control instructions and transmits them to the servo valve. According to these instructions, the servo valve adjusts the angle of the rudder surface, thus changing the flight trajectory of the missile and realizing the precise attack on the target.
Second, the role of servo valve in missile control
Servo valve in missile control system mainly undertakes the following functions:
1. Attitude adjustment: By controlling the deflection angle of the rudder surface, the pitching, yaw and rolling control of the missile can be realized to ensure that it flies according to the predetermined trajectory.
2. Quick response: In the face of high-speed changing flight environment, the servo valve needs to complete the command response within milliseconds to ensure the missile has good maneuverability.
3. High-precision control: The control precision of the servo valve directly affects the missile’s strike precision, especially in the terminal guidance stage, even a small error may lead to miss.
Third, the types and technical development of servo valves
At present, servo valves commonly used in missile systems include electro-hydraulic servo valves and proportional servo valves:
-Electro-hydraulic servo valve: adopting closed-loop control structure, it has higher control accuracy and dynamic response ability, and is widely used in high-precision guided missiles.
-Proportional servo valve: low cost, suitable for occasions with relatively low requirements for control accuracy.
With the development of materials science, microelectronics technology and digital control algorithm, servo valves are developing towards higher integration, lower power consumption and stronger environmental adaptability.
Fourth, the future development trend
The future missile servo valve will be more intelligent, combining artificial intelligence and adaptive control technology to achieve more efficient and stable flight control. At the same time, with the development of multi-purpose missiles, servo valves also need to have stronger multi-task adaptability and higher reliability.
In a word, as the “nerve endings” in the missile flight control system, the performance of the servo valve is directly related to the operational effectiveness of the missile. With the continuous progress of science and technology, servo valve technology will continue to promote the missile system to develop in a more precise, faster and stronger direction.