The block of valves that compose the independent metering architecture is built up virtually using a detailed
model of a commercial electro hydraulic poppet valve which is designed to offer good metering
performance over a wide range of operating pressure levels, as well as low leakage and reduced hysteresis The studied architecture consists of 5 2/2 EHPV: two “free flow” valves on the tank line (A2-B2), two “flow
checking” valves on the load lines (A1-B1); one “free flow” bi-directional valve is used on the regeneration line
(Figure 3 again). Four pressure transducers measure the pressure on the pump, load ports, and tank and their signals
are elaborated in the virtual E.C.U. Different control strategies are introduced for the EHPVs, applying pressure and
flow controls and coupling the valves with an electronic controlled pump. A fifth Bi-Directional EHPV can be used
to regenerate flow when possible with no need to introduce additional valves or create a constant counter-pressure
on the tank. Each type of valve used in the virtual distributor was modelled in the LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim
environment.