Hydraulic motor disc valve optimization

A disc valve assembly configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic motor in a hydraulic fluid system, the disc valve assembly comprising:

• a disc element comprising an inlet facing side and a second side opposite to the inlet facing side, and flow pathways configured as a plurality of different pressure zones with the flow pathways extending axially along a longitudinal axis of the disc element from at or adjacent to the inlet facing side to the second side;
• and
• a valve housing that houses the disc element, the valve housing comprising porting configured as part of the plurality of different pressure zones respectively in fluid communication with the flow pathways of the disc element;
• wherein the disc element is configured to rotate to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through the disc valve assembly;
• and
• wherein the plurality of different pressure zones comprises a Zone 1 pressure zone, a Zone 2 pressure zone, and a Zone 3 pressure zone, wherein flow pathways of the Zone 1 pressure zone, the Zone 2 pressure zone, and the Zone 3 pressure zone are fluidly isolated from each other;
• the disc valve assembly further comprising a plurality of annular sealing rings that are configured to isolate the plurality of different pressure zones from each other;
• wherein:
• the Zone 1 pressure zone comprises a plurality of Zone 1 flow pathways through the disc element, the Zone 1 flow pathways being located on an outer diameter face of the disc element;
• the Zone 2 pressure zone comprises a plurality of Zone 2 flow pathways through the disc element, the Zone 2 flow pathways being located at a mid diameter location between a center and the outer diameter face of the disc element;
• and
• the plurality of annular sealing rings includes a first sealing ring located on the inlet facing side of the disc element and extending annularly at a radial position between the outer diameter face and the mid diameter location of the Zone 2 flow pathways, thereby isolating the flow in the Zone 1 pressure zone from the flow in the Zone 2 pressure zone.