Determination of Flow Rate Characteristics of Pneumatic Solenoid Valves Using an Isothermal Chamber

In this paper, two new methods for obtaining the sonic conductance and the critical pressure ratio of pneumatic valves are proposed. Both methods use a chamber that can approximate isothermal conditions. This was achieved by filling the chamber with metal wire, which creates a larger heat transfer area and heat transfer coefficient. The sonic conductance and the critical pressure ratio are obtained by measuring the pressure in the chamber during charging and discharging. These methods take only seconds to perform and require less energy than the ISO 6358 procedure. The major factor in the error for the pressure response during the charging of the isothermal chamber is the upstream pressure change. Nevertheless, the sonic conductance can be determined within a 3% uncertainty. In addition, the sonic conductance calculated from the pressure response during the discharging of the chamber can be determined within a 1.2% uncertainty.