4 Valve Symbol Structure Ok

Valve symbol structure
SIMS/NABCO/2004 1/174
Why This section ?
⚫ Need to Understand the valve symbol structure
& the nomenclature used when addressing any
fluid mechanics systems
⚫ The standards are defined & we ‘sailors’ need to
comprehend the ‘jargon’ so that we may fix the
damn thing.
⚫ It is universal & indispensable to all personnel
assosiated in any field involving the use of fluid
power
⚫ The function of a valve is given by a pair of
numerals separated by a stroke, e.g. 3/2..
⚫ The first numeral indicates the number of main
ports. These are inlets, outlets and exhausts but
excludes signal ports and external pilot feeds.
⚫ The second numeral indicates the number of
states the valve can achieve.
⚫ A 3/2 valve therefore has 3 ports (normally these
are inlet, outlet and exhaust) and 2 states (the
normal state and the operated state)
⚫ The boxes are two pictures of the same valve …
or rather the valve state
operated normal
P R The valve can take two positions.

In Position 1. the port “P” is isolated or blanked off! & port
“A” is connected with the port “R”.
This is the condition of the valve when you buy it off the
shelf.
So if you use the valve & connect a fluid pipe to port A & R
the fluid will flow through in this state of the valve/
P R
If you connect a fluid source or other pipeline to the port “P” however
then this fluid is not going to go anywhere. It is blanked off or blocked.
What is of importance is that the pipelines you connect will communicate
with each other based upon the position / state of the valve.
Pipeline 1
P R
Pipeline 2 Pipeline 3
So for this valve only three pipelines may be connected to the outside
world at the respective ports.
By exciting the valve by some means the internal communication paths may
be altered. This means that it is now possible that Port “A” & “P” will
communicate with each other & the port “R” is blanked off.
Functionally this may be represented as … Pipeline 1
P R
Or this may be interpreted as another block has replaced the original one.
That is why the manufacturers & the schematic represents such a valve as …
Pipeline 1
P R
This simply means that the block on the right replaces the block on the left
when the valve is energized or excited.
This results in changes or flow paths of the pipelines connected to the valve.
A A
P R P R
Pipeline 2 Pipeline 3 Pipeline 2 Pipeline 3
That is in fact the reason why you cannot connect the pipelines onto the
second block. Those connection possibilities are not available. It is an
imaginary block that replaces the first one when the valve is excited.
DO NOT FORGET THIS!
That is why the valve must be represented as follows
Pipeline 1
P R
Since the valve has three ports, P,A & R & two positions are represented the
valve is referred to as “ 3 / 2” Valve.
This example was for a 3/2 directional control valve.
The combinations as regards the number of ports & valve position are many
but for the sake of automation & general use , representation in schematics
etc the following few are adequate.
•2/2
•4/2
•4/3
•5/2
•5/3
A
2 / 2 Control Valve
A B
4 / 2 Control Valve
P R
A B
4 / 3 Control Valve
P R
A B
4 / 3 Control Valve
P R
The 4 / 3 valve is different from the previous ones in the sense that
this one has three positions . So the default state of the valve is the
one in the centre in this case. This is where the ports are printed by
the maker.
This valve has got 3 positions.
Now let’s take a look at the operators or the means by which excitation
is effected.
Generally however they may be segregated in the following
categories.
MANUAL
MECHANICAL
ELECTRICAL
MANUAL
General manual Lever
Push button Pedal
Pull button Treadle
Push/pull button Rotary knob
MECHANICAL
Plunger Pressure
Spring normally Pilot pressure

as a return
Roller Differential pressure
Uni-direction Detent in 3 positions

or one way trip
ELECTRICAL
Solenoid Solenoid pilot

direct with manual
override and
external pilot
Solenoid pilot supply
When no integral
Solenoid pilot or external pilot
with manual override supply is shown it
and integral pilot is assumed to be
supply integral
⚫ A valve symbol shows the pictures for each of
the valve states joined end to end
operated normal
⚫ A valve symbol shows the pictures for each of
the valve states joined end to end
operated normal
⚫ The port connections are shown to only one of
the diagrams to indicate the prevailing state
normal
⚫ The operator for a particular state is illustrated
against that state
Operated state
produced by
pushing a button
against that state
Operated state Normal state

produced by produced by
pushing a button a spring
against that state
Operated state Normal state

produced by produced by
pushing a button a spring
I like to call this

the counter-
operator
⚫ The valve symbol can be visualised as moving to
align one state or another with the port
connections
connections
connections
⚫ A 5/2 valve symbol is constructed in a similar
way. A picture of the valve flow paths for each of
the two states is shown by the two boxes. The 5
ports are normally an inlet, 2 outlets and 2
exhausts
⚫ The full symbol is then made by joining the two
boxes and adding operators. The connections
are shown against only the prevailing state
4/3 Valve Application
Other Centre Types
End …
Control Valves – A can of Worms
Different Types of Pressure &
Control Valves
⚫ Pressure Relief Valve
⚫ Proportional Releif Valve
⚫ Unloading Valve
⚫ Counterbalance or Back pressure Valve
⚫ Pressure Regulator or Reducing Valve
⚫ Differential Pressure Regulator ( Not very imp to
us )
⚫ Proportional Pressure Regulator
⚫ Pressure Sequence Valve ( Mostly in cranes &
winches ; windlass or bow stoppers )
Pressure Control Valves
⚫ Relief Valve
⚫ Reducing Valve
⚫ Sequence Valve
⚫ Unloading Valve
⚫ Counter-Balance Valve
⚫ Brake Valve
Relief Valve
Symbol
To Tank Inlet
⚫ The function of this valve is to

limit the pressure in the system &
thus protect the individual
components from overload &
damage.
Why ??
All fixed-volume pump circuits require a relief valve to protect

the system from excess pressure.
Fixed-volume pumps must move fluid when they turn. When a

pump is unloading through an open-centre circuit or actuators
are in motion, fluid movement is not a problem.
It is when the actuators stall with the directional valve still

shifted that a relief valve is essential.
Relief Valve
Overshoot & Hysterisis

Well designed System ?
Cracking Pressure
Reseat Pressure
Relief Valve Application Example
Relief Valve
Relief Valves - Cautions
⚫ In a hydraulic circuit, a relief valve opens and
bypasses fluid when pressure exceeds its
setting. The valve then closes again when
pressure falls. This means a relief valve can
bypass fluid anytime . . . or all the time . . .
without intervention by maintenance. (It also
means the system can run hot even with a heat
exchanger installed.)
Reducing Valve
The task of the pressure Relief valve is to limit the pressure in the
system to a given level. The task of the Pressure regulating valve
on the other hand is to regulate the pressure in the branch of the
system to a given value as defined by the load or the consumer.
Pressure Regulating Valve – Application Example
Pressure
Regulating
Valve
Pilot Operated
Reducing Valve
Unloading Valve
⚫ Unloading valves are pressure-control devices
that are used to dump excess fluid to tank at
little or no pressure.
⚫ A common application is in hi-lo pump circuits

where two pumps move an actuator at high
speed and low pressure, the circuit then shifts to
a single pump providing high pressure to
perform work
Unloading Valve
The valve essentially

functions by balancing
pressure & forces in relation
to the area of the piston
available.
Unloading Valve – Application Example
Sequence Valve
⚫ A Sequence Valve / sequence control valve is
used to cause actions to take place in a system
in a definite order….
⚫ & to maintain a certain minimum pressure in the
primary line while the secondary ( ? ) operation
occurs
Sequence Valve
Sequence valves are normally

closed, 2-way valves. They regulate
the sequence in which various
functions in a circuit occur.
They resemble direct-acting relief
valves except that their spring
chambers are generally drained
externally to reservoir, instead of
internally to the outlet port, as in a
relief valve.
Sequence Control Valve
⚫ Normally, a sequence valve permits pressure
fluid to flow to a second function only after an
earlier, priority function has been completed and
satisfied.
⚫ When normally closed, a sequence valve allows
fluid to flow freely to the primary circuit, to
perform its first function until the pressure
setting of the valve is reached.
⚫ Don’t Worry about it too much … Generally used
only in Crane Circuits.
Counterbalance Valve
⚫ These normally-closed valves are primarily used
to maintain a set pressure in part of a circuit,
usually to counterbalance a weight or external
force or counteract a weight such as a platen or
a press and keep it from free-falling due to
gravity.
⚫ Rings bells ?? Used in almost all crane circuits
Counterbalance Valve
⚫ The valve's primary port is connected to the
cylinder's rod end, and the secondary port to the
directional control valve
⚫ The pressure setting is slightly higher than that
required to keep the load from free-falling.
Counterbalance Valve – Application Example
Load
Counterbalance
Valve
Counterbalance Valve - Application
We largely deal with spool valves

4 Valve Symbol Structure Ok

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

4 Valve Symbol Structure Ok

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Valve symbol structure

P R The valve can take two positions.

Pipeline 2 Pipeline 3 Pipeline 2 Pipeline 3

General manual Lever

Push button Pedal

Pull button Treadle

Push/pull button Rotary knob

Spring normally Pilot pressure

Roller Differential pressure

Uni-direction Detent in 3 positions

Solenoid Solenoid pilot

Operated state Normal state

Operated state Normal state

I like to call this

⚫ The function of this valve is to

All fixed-volume pump circuits require a relief valve to protect

Fixed-volume pumps must move fluid when they turn. When a

It is when the actuators stall with the directional valve still

Overshoot & Hysterisis

⚫ A common application is in hi-lo pump circuits

The valve essentially

Sequence valves are normally

You might also like