Control Valves

By G/micael G.
University of Gondar, Faculty of Technology, Department of
Mechanical Eng’g
Gondar ,Ethiopia
 Control valves
One of the most important considerations
in any fluid power system is control.
If control components are not properly
selected, the entire system will not function
as required.
Fluid power is controlled primarily through
the use of control devices called VALVES.
The selection of these control components
not only involves the type, but also the
size, the actuating method and remote
control capability.
Figure shows internal operation of valves.
 To extend the ram, ports P and B are connected to deliver fluid and
ports A and T connected to return fluid.
To retract the ram, ports P and A are connected to deliver fluid and
ports B and T to return fluid.
 Control valves
Three basic types of control devices:
Direction Control Valves (control the
fluid path)
Control the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid to
different lines in the circuit
Check Valves
Shuttle Valves
2-Way, 3-Way, 4-Way DCV
Pressure Control Valves (protect
system)
Control the pressure in different segments in the circuit
Flow Control Valves (speed control)
Control the amount of fluid flow in the circuit
 Direction Control Valves
1. CHECK VALVE
/non-return valve
The simplest type
of DCV which is a
two way valve
b/se it contains
two ports.
Its purpose is to
permit free flow in
one direction &
prevent any flow
in other direction. Symbolic representation
Cont…
 Cont…
The second type of check valve is Pilot operated
check valve
Pilot check valves are frequent used for locking
hydraulic cylinders in position.
In the design shown, the
check valve poppet has
the pilot piston attached to
the threaded poppet stem
by a nut. The light spring
holds the poppet seated in
a no-flow condition by
Symbol
pushing against the pilot representa
piston. tion
 2. Shuttle Valve
 Shuttle valves are common for
pneumatics and little use in hydraulic
system.
 A shuttle valve has two fluid inlets
‘P1’ and ‘P2’ and one fluid outlet ‘A’.
 When compressed fluid enters
through ‘P1’, the sphere will seal and
block the other inlet ‘P2’.
 Fluid can then flow from ‘P1’ to ‘A’.
 When the contrary happens, the
sphere will block inlet ‘P1’, allowing
fluid to flow from ‘P2’ to ‘A’ only. Symbolic representation
 3. Spool valves
The spool valve consists of a spool which is
a cylindrical member that has large-
diameter lands machined to slide in a very
close- fitting bore of the valve body.

2/2 DCV
Two way
valve
 DCV: Ways or Ports
Two-Way Valves
Used to direct pump flow to either
of two paths of circuit.(Single acting
cylinder)
Three -Way Valves – which contain
three ports are typically of spool design
rather than poppet design. (Single acting
cylinder)
Four-Way Valves
Used to control double acting hydraulic
cylinders
 The number of ports in a DCV is identified by the
DCV: Positions
• Common types of directional control
valves include 2/2, 3/2, 4/2,4/3, etc.
• The first number represents the number
of ports; the second number represents
the 4/3
number of positions. 4/2
Two
positions
(extend or
retract)

Three positions (extend, off

or retract)
Three -Way Valves(3/2 DCV)

Three way,
two position,
manually
operated
spring return
Symb
ol

3/2 DCV
4/2 DCV(4 way 2 position DCV)
Four way valves have
four connections to the
circuit. The designations
P for pressure, T for
tank, and A and B for
ports on either end of
the cylinder are
commonly used on four-
way valves.

Symbol for 4/2 DCV

4 way 3 position(4/3) open centered DCV

Symbol for
open
centered 4/3
way DCV
4/3 Closed center DCV

Symbol for closed

center 4/3 DCV
4/3 Tandem centered DCV: mid position

Symbol for 4/3 Tandem

 Regenerative center 4/3 DCV

ymbol for regenerative center 4/3 DCV

Floating center 4/3 DCV: mid
position

Floating center 4/3 DCV

 Directional control valve
Method of Actuation

Manually
 Push button
 Lever
 Pedal
Mechanically
 Spring
 Ball and Cam
Using pilot pressure
 Air (pneumatic)
 Oil (hydraulic)
Using Electrical Solenoid
 Directional Control Valve
Manually actuated, spring centered,3-position,4-way
valve (Hand lever)
Direction Control Valves
 Two-position, spring-offset, four-way valve
Direction Control Valves
 Mechanically actuated 4-way valve, 2 position,
spring offset valve
 (Cam driven roller mechanism)
Direction Control Valves
 Air pilot-actuated, four-way ,3 position, spring
centered valve
Direction Control Valves
 Operation of Solenoid to shift Spool
Direction Control Valves
Solenoid actuated, 3 position, 4 way,
spring centered, Direction Control
Valve
Pressure Control Valves
Main function of pressure control valve is
ensuring the control of pressure.
Pressure regulating: maintaining a constant
pressure in a system
Pressure switching: apart from a definite
control function they also perform a switching
action
Usually named for their primary function as
Pressure relief valve,
unloading valve,
Sequence valve
counter balance valves,
Pressure reducing valve,
 Pressure relief
valve
• It is normally a closed
valve whose function is
to limit the pressure to
a
specified maximum
value by diverting pump
flow back to the tank.

Pump
( When Pressure here is less
Symbol than the valve setting, the
valve is closed )
Unloading valve
A unloading valve is
used to permit a
pump to operate at
minimum load.
The unloading valve
is normally closed
valve with the spool
closing the tank port.
It operates on the
principle that pump
delivery is diverted to
the tank, when
sufficient pilot
pressure is applied to
move the spool
against the spring
force.
The valve is held symbol
open by pilot
pressure until the
 valve
A sequence valve’s
primary function is
to divert flow in a
predetermined
sequence.
 It is a pressure-
actuated valve
similar in
construction to a
relief valve and
normally a closed
valve.
The sequence valve
operates on the
principle that when
main system
pressure overcomes
the spring setting, symbol
the valve spool
moves up allowing
Counterbalance
Valve:
A Counterbalance valve
is used to maintain back
pressure to prevent a
load from failing. One
can find application in
vertical presses, lift
trucks, loaders and
other machine tool that
must position or hold
suspended loads.

symb
Direct operated Pilot operated
Counter balance valve Counter balance
valve
Pressure Reducing
Valve:
Pressure reducing valve
is used to limit its outlet
pressure. Reducing
valves are used for the
operation of branch
circuits, where pressure
may vary from the main
system pressures.

symbol
 Flow Control Valves
Main function of flow control valve is to
regulate the actuators depending on flow
rates.
A flow control valve is formed by a non-
return valve and a variable throttle.
Flow control valve