Control Valves

There are three principal types of control valves

used in pneumatic/hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic and Pneumatic
Control Valves Direction Control – used to control the flow direction
Usually solenoid driven

Lecture 4 Flow Control – used to control the flow rate

Engineering 475 Pressure Control – Regulates ∆P across valve

Automated Production Systems

Direction Control Variety of Shapes and Sizes

Direction control valves that do similar things
Direction control valves control the Four Port/Three Position come in many different shapes and sizes.
direction of the fluid or air flow. Directional Control Valve

Extend

P B
Off Sandwich Valve Assembly
T A

Retract

In the above example the control valve must be able to direct

the flow for three distinct operations – Extend, Hold, Retract Cartridge Valve Assembly

Schematic Symbols Schematic Symbols

(Actuation)

A B Port Designation
Working lines A,B,C, etc
a o
Pressure supply P Push Button Solenoid Detent (holds position)
P T Exhaust/Return R,S (pneumatic)
T (hydraulic)
Pilot lines Z,Y,X, etc.
Roller Limit Switch The type of valve
G A square represents each position of a valve. Spring
actuation must also
G Valve positions can be identified by lower case letters a, b, c, be specified in a
etc. schematic.
G The neutral or centered position is identified by the letter o.
Pilot Line

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 Example Example
Symbol for 4/3 Valve Symbol for 4/2 Valve

A B
A B

P T
4/3 valve, solenoid operated, spring return to center. P T
Pushbutton extend, spring retract
Pressure line unloads to tank and the load is held in when pushbutton released.
the center position.

Commercial Options Poppet Valves

A poppet valve uses simple discs, cones, or balls in
conjunction with a mating valve seat to control flow
direction.

2/2 poppet valve, pushbutton to open, spring return to close

Wandfluf of America, Inc. Parr, Fig. 4-9

Spool Valves Cartridge Valves

Spool valves use very precisely honed spools and valve
ways to divert the flow between various ports.

Screw-
Screw-in
Cartridge Valve

Examples of different
components

Manifold Assembly www.hydraforce.com

Parr, Fig. 4-13

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 Close Up of Valve in
4/3 Cartridge Valve
Cross Section

Detail of Valve Cavity in

Manifold
Poppet Valve
Installed in Cavity
HydraForce

Cartridge Valve Manifold Manifold Cross Sections

Assembly

Very complex combinations of cartridge valves

can be assembled into very small packages.

Check Valves Pilot Operated Check Valves

Pilot operated check valves are used extensively in load
Check valves are used to “check” (prevent) flow in one holding applications involving spool type direction control
direction while allowing flow in the opposite direction. valves.
Check valves are available in a variety of different
configurations. Both figures are for cartridge type
check valves that screw into a manifold.

A B
A

HydraForce HydraForce
P T

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 Flow Control Valves Needle Valves
Needle valves are adjustable and generate flow control
There are primary types of flow control valves. by creating a pressure drop across a valve opening.
B
G Needle valves

G Pressure compensated flow regulators

G Proportional flow control valves

A

HydraForce
A

Needle Valve Pressure Pressure Compensated Flow

Drop Data Regulators
Maintains a constant flow rate regardless of load
The following graphs illustrate the kind of data
pressure changes in the downstream circuit.
that is available from the manufacturers of needle
valves.

B
A

HydraForce A HydraForce

Pressure Compensated Flow Proportional Flow Control Valves

Regulator Data
Proportional flow control valves are servo type devices that
Typical performance data for a pressure create a flow that is proportional to the solenoid current.
compensated flow control valve.
They are often packaged to
provide both direction and flow
control.
In addition to the valve, an
electronics module must be used
that provides a constant current
source to the solenoid(s) based
on a programmable input.

HydraForce Wandfluf of America, Inc.