Woodward SonicFlo™ Gas Valves Hydraulically Actuated

Applications

SonicFlo™ gas valves provide precise fuel control and shut-off capabilities for large

industrial gas turbines with single or multiple combustion manifold systems. 

The designs feature closely integrated linear valves and actuators which are

based on Woodward’s extensive experience with gas fuel controls.

Robust design and component redundancy result in exceptional service life and system

reliability. The assemblies may be used with electronic controllers

to achieve state-of-the-art control accuracy and response characteristics.

Description

The SonicFlo valve controls the flow of gas fuel to the combustion system of an

industrial or utility gas turbine. The unique design yields a flow characteristic

unaffected by discharge pressure up to a pressure ratio (P2/P1) of at least 0.80 for

Standard Recovery and at least 0.91 for High Recovery, reducing the requirement

for additional gas pressure boosting. The design integrates the valve and actuator

into a compact assembly. This close integration allows for lower costs, smaller

envelope and better accuracy.

The integral actuator is a single-acting spring-loaded design for failsafe operation.

The actuator includes an on-board hydraulic filter for last-chance filtration of the fluid

to ensure reliability of the servovalve and actuator. The servovalve is electrically

redundant with triple coil design. Position feedback for the actuator is provided by

either a dual or triple coil LVDT (linear variable differential transformer) directly

coupled to the hydraulic piston. Rapid or emergency failsafe operation of the valve

may be initiated by use of the solenoid-operated trip system. The trip system

bypasses the servovalve-modulating control and directs the actuator to its failsafe

position.