Methods and apparatus for splitting and directing a pressurized fluid jet within a servovalve

A servovalve comprising:

• a housing having a spool disposed within an opening defined by the housing and having a motor coupled to the housing;
• a jet-receiver valve coupled to the housing, the jet receiver valve having a fluid exchange surface defining a nozzle port, a first receiver port, and a second receiver port, the first receiver configured to orient in fluid communication with a first end of the spool and the second receiver configured to orient in fluid communication with a second end of the spool;
• a reflector having a reflector surface opposing the fluid exchange surface of the jet-receiver valve, the reflector surface configured to reflect a jet of fluid from the nozzle port to at least one of the first receiver port and the second receiver port;
• and
• a controller coupled to the motor and coupled to the reflector, the controller configured to position the reflector (i) in a first position relative to the jet-receiver valve to reflect the fluid from the nozzle port to the first receiver port and to the second receiver port in substantially equal amounts and (ii) in a second position relative to the jet-receiver valve to reflect the fluid from the nozzle port to the first receiver port and to the second receiver port in substantially unequal amounts.

A method for adjusting a spool position in a servovalve comprising:

• orienting a reflector having a reflector surface opposite to a fluid exchange surface of a jet-receiver valve, the fluid exchange surface having defining a nozzle port, a first receiver port, and a second receiver port;
• positioning the reflector in a first position relative to the jet-receiver valve to reflect the fluid transmitted from the nozzle port to the first receiver port and to the second receiver port in substantially equal amounts;
• and
• positioning the reflector in a second position relative to the jet-receiver valve to reflect the fluid from the nozzle port to the first receiver port and to the second receiver port in substantially unequal amounts.