To ensure system performance is repeatable, a proportional valve should possess a minimum of what characteristic?

For a proportional valve to ensure that system performance is repeatable, it is essential for it to have low hysteresis. Hysteresis refers to the difference in output response of a system when the input is increasing compared to when it is decreasing. In the context of a proportional valve, if there is significant hysteresis, the valve may respond differently when commanded to move to a certain position and then commanded back to the starting position.

Maintaining low hysteresis is crucial because it allows for more precise control of the hydraulic system, resulting in consistent and repeatable performance. This is particularly important in applications where accuracy and reliability are required, such as in automation and process control systems. Therefore, a proportional valve with low hysteresis will provide a better response to control signals, enhancing the overall stability and effectiveness of the hydraulic system.

Other characteristics such as pressure drop, capacitance, and flow are important for valve performance, but they do not directly impact the repeatability of the performance in the same way that hysteresis does.