Objectives

Learning Objectives:
Directional Control Valves The purpose of this chapter is to describe:
1. Describe construction and configuration of directional control valves
2. Understand operation of directional control valves.
3. Types of DCV (Check valves, shuttle valves and sliding spool valves)
4. Applications of directional control valves.
5. Center positions in three-position, four-way valves.
6. List and compare the methods used to position control spools in
valves

Controlling the System Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
Explain the operation of the various types of directional control valves.
Understand “position”, “way” and center position of a sliding spool
valve.
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 1 Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 2 Session 7

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Hydraulic Principal Hydraulic Valves types

1- Prime mover  Control valves allow hydraulic systems to produce the
1-Prime mover
type of motion or level of force needed to complete the
2- Pump functions expected of a hydraulic circuit
3- Valve  The three basic types of control valves are:
1- Directional Control Valves

2- Pressure Control Valves

4- Actuator
3- Flow Control Valves
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 4 Session 7

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 Directional Control Valves Valve construction
 Directional Control Valves (DCVs) are designed to;  Moving element is a cylindrical metal piece fitted into the
bore of a valve body
1. Control the direction of flow, or
Moving element
2. Divert flow from one location to another, or
3. Stop flow (Shut-off) Rotary spool Poppet
Sliding Spool

Drehschieberbauweise

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Valve construction Valve construction

1- Rotary spool DCVs 2- Sliding spool DCVs
 4/3 DCV with rotary spool  Available in most functions 3/2,
A B 3/3, 5/2, 5/3, etc.
 The spool is used to block or
direct fluid through a valve to
P T produce a desired fluid flow
P A P A P A characteristics.
 A spool has a number of major
and minor diameters called lands
and valleys (Groove)
B B T B
T T
 The lands seal with the valve
bore/sleeve
P-B Middel position P-A  The valleys connect valve ports
A-T All ports are blocked B-T to control flow direction
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 Valve construction Valve construction
3- Poppet valve 3- Poppet valve
Pilot signal Pilot signal
 Poppet 2/2 DCV  The Poppet valve is a simple
 It has good sealing 12 and effective design used 12

characteristics mainly in 2/2 and 3/2 functions

 A poppet seal has a butt  Often be the choice for a
action against a raised supply shut off valve
edged aperture

1 2 1 2

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 9 Session 7 Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 10 Session 7

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Classification of DVCs One way DCVs - Check Valve

 1- One way DCVs  Check Valve - Ball type
– Check valve A check valve allows flow in one direction, but blocks flow in the
• Ball type opposite direction.
• Poppet type body
– Logic OR valve
– Logic AND valve ball
 2- Multi ways DCVs Inlet
P1
Outlet
P2
– 2/2 DCVs
– 3/2 DCVs
– 4/3 DCVs Valve seat
inlet P 1 outlet P 2
– ……..
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 One way DCVs - Check Valve - One way DCVs - Check Valve -
 Check Valve – Poppet type

Inlet
P1

bias spring
inlet P 1 outlet P 2 Outlet
P2
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One way DCVs– Pilot operated check valve One way DCVs– Pilot operated check valve

 Pilot-operated check valve

It permits free flow in one direction, but RXWOHWP 
permits flow in the opposite only if pilot
pressure is applied at the port K of the valve.
SLORWSUHVVXUH
LQOHWP  SRUWK
(b)

K P2

P1
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One way DCVs– Pilot operated check valve One way DCVs– Pilot operated check valve

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One way DCVs– Pilot operated check valve One way DCVs - Shuttle Valve
 Logic “OR” Shuttle valve
A shuttle valve allows two alternate flow sources to be
connected to one branch circuit
An fluid signal given to either the left hand port 1 or the right
hand port 1 will result in an output at port 2

A A
body ball

P P P P 2

2 1 1
(a) A (b)

P P

(c) 1 1
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 Shuttle Valve Shuttle Valve
Logic “OR" Valve Logic "AND" Valve

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Multi-ways DCVs Multi-way DCVs

 Sliding Spool Valves  Sliding Spool Valves
Position: a unique flow path configuration
exists within the valve. Most directional control
Way: The number of “ways” refers to the valves use a sliding spool
number of “ports” in the valve. to change the path of flow
through the valve.
A P B T

4/3 DCV
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 Two-way DCVs Two-way DCVs
 Two-way directional control valves Application of two-way valve
 Two-way directional control valves usually used to pervert flow
until actuated action given

valve body spool land spool

Tank

P A A P A
Normal closed Valve actuated 2/2 Valve
Hydraulic Jack/Elevator
P-closed P P-A
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Three-way DCVs Three-way DCVs

 Three-way directional control valves Application of three-way
valve
spring spool land spool valve body
– Three-way directional control
valves usually used to extend
rams and single-acting 3/2 Valve
cylinders
A T A A T
P P – The actuator is returned to its
(a) (b) original position by an
Normal position Valve actuated external force (System
P T
load/weight - Spring built
A-T P-A into the actuator)
P-closed T-closed
Session 7 Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar Session 7
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 Four-way DCVs Four-way DCVs
 Four-way, two-positions directional control valves Application of four-way
 Four-way DCVs can be used to control motion of double acting two position valve
cylinder in both direction – Four-way directional control
spring spool land spool valve body valves usually used to extend
double-acting cylinders in
both extending and retracting 4/2 Valve
strokes.
AB
B P A T B P A T – The actuator is returned to its
(a) (b) original position by an
Normal position P T Valve actuated reversing the directional of
(c) flow via DCV
P-B P-A
T-A B-T
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The three positions of (4/3) DCVs The three positions of (4/3) DCVs
 Four-way, three-positions directional control valves Application of four-way
AB three position valve
– Four-way directional control
P T
valves usually used to extend
A P B T
AB
AB and retract double-acting
cylinders in both extending
and retracting strokes.
P T – The center position plays an
P T A P B T
AB important role in this type

P T A P B T
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 Center positions of (4/3) DCVs Open center 4/3 DCVs
AB AB
 The open-center type connects all ports together.
 The pump flow can return directly back to the tank at essentially
P T T(T1) A P B T(T2) P T T(T1) A P B T(T2)
tank pressure, little horsepower is consumed.
o pen center pressure closed;A & B open to tank  The actuator can be moved freely by applying an external force.
AB AB

P T T(T1) A P B T(T2) P T T(T1) A P B T(T2)

pressure andB closed; A open to tank B closed; pressure open to tank through A
AB AB

P T T(T1) A P B T(T2) P T T(T1) A P B T(T2)

closed center--all ports closed tandem
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Closed-center 4/3 DCVs Tandem-center 4/3 DCVs

 The closed-center design has all ports blocked.  The tandem design also results in a locked actuator.
 The pump flow can be used for other circuit.  It also unloads the pump at essentially tank pressure.
 The actuator is hydraulically locked. This means it cannot be
moved by the application of an external force.

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 Center position
(A, B) connected to P & T closed configuration of 4/3DCV
 Connecting the pump pressure to two actuators operating with the
same pressure. Where (A, B) connected to pump & tank port
closed

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Actuation of DCVs Actuation of DCVs

A B
 Springs and pilot pressure are typical internal forces used to
operate valve elements
P T P

1- Manually-actuated valve 2- Mechanically-actuated valve

 Manual, pilot pressure, and electromagnetic force are common
external forces used for operation K1
A B
K2

K1 T1
P T A B
3- Pilot-actuated valve 4- Electric-actuated valve
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 Features of Control Valves
 Precision fit, rather than separate seals, is used to prevent excessive
internal leakage in most hydraulic control valves
 Internal leakage must be drained from valve chambers
– Fluid buildup causes backpressure
– Backpressure prevents the proper operation of internal valve
elements

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 41 Session 7 Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar 42 Session 7

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