Lecture -3

Control Valves

By G/michael G.

Aksum University , AIT,FMIE.

 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 frequently 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
pushing against Symbol
the pilot piston. representation
 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
Symbolic representation
fluid to flow from ‘P2’ to ‘A’ only.
 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
term way. Thus, for example, a valve with four ports
is a four-way valve.
 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 number of positions.
4/3 Two positions 4/2
(extend or retract)

Three positions (extend, off or retract)

Three -Way Valves(3/2 DCV)

Three way, two

position, manually
operated spring
return

Symbol

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 centered

Regenerative center 4/3 DCV

Symbol 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
Symbol Pressure here is less than the valve
setting, the valve is closed )
Unloading valve
An 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 open by
pilot pressure until the pump
delivery is again needed by
the circuit.
symbol
Sequence 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, the valve
spool moves up allowing
flow from the secondary
port.

symbol
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.

symbol
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 types

(b). Butterfly valve

(a). Plug or glove valve

(c). Ball valve

Flow control valve
 Exercise
A pressure relief valve contains a poppet with a 4.2 cm2 area
on which system pressure acts. During assembly a spring with
a spring constant of 3200N/cm is installed in the valve to hold
the poppet against its seat. The adjustment mechanism is then
set so that the spring is initially compressed 0.5cm from its
free length condition. In order to pass full pump flow through
the valve at the PRV pressure setting, the poppet must move
0.3cm from its fully closed position. Determine the;
a. Cracking pressure
b. Full pump flow pressure (PRV pressure setting)
c. What should be the initial compression of the spring in the
PRV if the full pump flow pressure is to be 40% greater than
the cracking pressure?