The DCV 43 Generic component is a four-port, three-position valve that allows flow between the ports based on the user-specified custom flow path.

A generic form allows the user to specify the custom scenario according to the need.  The user can choose between either of the two options specified below.

1. Characteristic Curve - By choosing this option, user-supplied characteristic data which defines the relationship between the spool signal and the spool opening is specified. A suboption under this category is that the spool opening can either be given as area or as a scaled opening by toggling between Use scales options.

2. Flow path - Flow paths with respect to the spool signal where the input s controls the position of the value. An input of 0 corresponds to position 0, an input of 1 to position 1. There are three orifices inter-connected to each other which open up according to the input feed thereby allowing fluid to flow between the different port. Intermediates values (between 0 and 1) produce an averaged position, with the transition length set by the $\mathrm{band}$ parameter.

Based on the orifice area, the pressure vs. flow rate relationship is calculated by the formulation used in the Orifice component.

For the characteristic curve option component, the area of opening or scaled coefficient must be specified as a function of the $\mathrm{Spool}$ signal. The four columns in the data correspond to order (Signal - Spool PA - Spool TA - Spool PT) specified in the form of a table. The following parameters allows users to specify the necessary data for this calculation.

Data Source: This parameter allows users to specify the nature of the source file for the Signal (ranging from -1 to 1) vs. valve opening table. The available options are file, attachment, and inline.

file: Use this option to specify a source file (an Excel or a CSV file) located on the hard drive.

attachment: Use this option to specify a data file (an Excel or a CSV file) that is attached to the MapleSim model. To be used as an attachment, data files must be attached to the MapleSim model and be categorized under Data Sets. The attached files in a MapleSim model can be viewed in the Attachments pane under the Data Sets section. For more information, see Attaching a File to a Model. Select the desired attachment as the ${\mathrm{data}}_A$ or ${\mathrm{data}}_S$ parameter.

Note: If the file option is used, subsequent changes to the source file will be incorporated into MapleSim simulations.

If the attachment option is used, subsequent changes to the source file will not affect the version attached to the MapleSim model. To ensure updates to the source files are incorporated in the simulation, the file must be reattached.

inline: Use this option to directly specify the pressure vs. area relationship in the form of a table. In the $A$ or $S$ parameter the first column must contain values of the spool signal ranging from -1 to 1 and the second column must contain corresponding values of the area or scaled area.

Note: To change the dimensions of table, right-click (Control-click for Mac®) the parameter field and select Edit Matrix Dimensions. In the Matrix Dimensions dialog, enter values for the number or rows and columns and then click OK.

Smoothness: The smoothness option specifies how the data table is interpolated.