Vibrational analysis to detect cavitation phenomena in a directional spool valve

The study of the cavitation phenomenon in directional spool valves has been widely addressed through different types of analysis, since the implosion of the bubbles compromises the operation of the system and it causes progressive damage up to the emergence of cracks which could lead to an early breakdown of the system. In this work, the cavitation phenomenon has been studied trough vibrational analysis of accelerometric signals acquired on a directional spool valve. The accelerometric signals have been processed by tools of statistical analysis able to identify three physical phenomena occurring in valve proximity: absence of cavitation, starting cavitation phenomenon and strong cavitation phenomenon. It has been demonstrated that some statistical indices are able to differentiate well the behaviour of the valve in various cavitation states.