Unexpected variations in spring characteristics could affect the performance of discharge control valves. In this study, a novel experimental procedure was used to quantify the effects of the spring's elasticity coefficient and unloaded spring length on water delivery by the discharge control valve. Based on an average sensitivity index reflecting the performance of a given structure, the hydraulic behavior of the discharge control valve was quantified. The results indicate that the valve was sensitive to the unloaded spring length, especially when it was slightly smaller than its nominal value. The discharge control valve performance was affected no more than about 16% by ± 4% variation in spring elasticity. In general, spring elasticity variations affect the valve of the smaller design discharge more than that designed for a higher discharge value. The outcome of this study should help design and fabricate discharge control valves to enhance their performance.

弹簧特性的意外变化会影响排放控制阀的性能。在这项研究中，采用了一种新颖的实验程序来量化弹簧的弹性系数和空载的弹簧长度对通过排放控制阀进行的输水的影响。根据反映给定结构性能的平均灵敏度指数，对排放控制阀的液压性能进行量化。结果表明，该阀对空载弹簧长度敏感，尤其是当阀的弹簧长度略小于其标称值时。排放控制阀的性能受弹簧弹性的±4％变化影响不超过约16％。大体，弹簧弹性变化对阀设计流量的影响比对阀设计更高的影响更大。这项研究的结果应有助于设计和制造排放控制阀，以提高其性能。