MODULE 2

Hydraulic actuators - Types and constructional details - lever

systems - control elements - Direction, pressure and flow
control valves.
 HYDRAULIC ACTUATORS

• Hydraulic actuators are devices used to convert pressure energy of the fluid into
mechanical energy.

Depending on the type of actuation, hydraulic actuators are classified as follows:

1. Linear actuator (hydraulic cylinders) - Converts hydraulic power into linear

mechanical force or motion.
2. Rotary actuator (hydraulic motor) - Continuous angular movement is achieved by
rotary actuators.
3. Semi-rotary actuator: For limited angle of actuation.

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Hydraulic cylinders are of the following types:

• Single-acting cylinders.

• Double-acting cylinders.

• Telescopic cylinders.

• Tandem cylinders.

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Single-acting cylinders
• It consists of a piston inside a cylindrical housing called barrel. On one end of the
piston there is a rod, which can reciprocate. At the opposite end, there is a port
for the entrance and exit of oil.

• Single-acting cylinders produce force in one direction by hydraulic pressure acting

on the piston.

• The return of the piston is not done hydraulically. In single-acting cylinders,

retraction is done either by gravity or by a spring.

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LINEAR ACTUATORS
Single-acting cylinders

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Single-acting cylinders
a) Gravity-Return Single-Acting Cylinder

(a) Push type (b) pull type

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Single-acting cylinders
b) Spring-Return Single-Acting Cylinder

(a) Push type (b) pull type

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Double-acting cylinders
a) Double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on one side

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Double-acting cylinders
b) Double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on both sides
• A double-acting cylinder with a piston rod on both sides is a cylinder with a rod
extending from both ends.
• This cylinder can be used in an application where work can be done by both ends of
the cylinder, thereby making the cylinder more productive.

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Telescopic cylinders
• A telescopic cylinder is used when a long stroke length and a short retracted length are
required.

• The telescopic cylinder extends in stages, each stage consisting of a sleeve that fits
inside the previous stage.

• Telescopic cylinders are available in both single-acting and double-acting models.

• They are more expensive than standard cylinders due to their more complex
construction.

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LINEAR ACTUATORS
Telescopic cylinders

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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Telescopic cylinders

• They generally consist of a nest of tubes and operate on the displacement principle. The
tubes are supported by bearing rings, the innermost (rear) set of which have grooves or
channels to allow fluid flow.

• The front bearing assembly on each section includes seals and wiper rings. Stop rings
limit the movement of each section, thus preventing separation. When the cylinder
extends, all the sections move together until the outer section is prevented from
further extension by its stop ring.

• The remaining sections continue out-stroking until the second outermost section
reaches the limit of its stroke; this process continues until all sections are extended,
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 LINEAR ACTUATORS
Tandem cylinders
• A tandem cylinder is used in applications where a large amount of force is required
from a small-diameter cylinder.

• Pressure is applied to both pistons, resulting in increased force because of the larger
area. The drawback is that these cylinders must be longer than a standard cylinder
to achieve an equal speed because flow must go to both pistons.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS

• A hydraulic motor is a device which converts fluid power into rotary power or
converts fluid pressure into torque.

• Torque is a function of pressure or, in other words, the motor input pressure level
is determined by the resisting torque at the output shaft.

• Hydraulic motors can be applied directly to the work. They provide excellent
control for acceleration, operating speed, deceleration, smooth reversals and
positioning.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS

Classification of Hydraulic Motors

(a) High-speed low-torque motors

(b) low–speed high-torque motors.

In high-speed low-torque motors, the shaft is driven directly from either the barrel
or the cam plate, whereas in low-speed high-torque motors, the shaft is driven
through a differential gear arrangement that reduces the speed and increases the
torque.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS

Depending upon the mechanism employed to provide shaft rotation, hydraulic

motors can be classified as follows:

• Gear motors
• Vane motors
• Piston motors
• Axial piston-type motors
• Radial piston-type motors

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Gear Motor
• A gear motor develops torque due to hydraulic pressure acting against the area of
one tooth. There are two teeth trying to move the rotor in the proper direction,
while one net tooth at the center mesh tries to move it in the opposite direction.

• In the design of a gear motor, one of the gears is keyed to an output shaft, while
the other is simply an idler gear. Pressurized oil is sent to the inlet port of the
motor.

• Pressure is then applied to the gear teeth, causing the gears and output shaft to
rotate. The pressure builds until enough torque is generated to rotate the output
shaft against the load.

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ROTARY ACTUATORS
Gear Motor

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Gear Motor
• Most of the gear motors are bidirectional. Reversing the direction of flow can reverse
the direction of rotation.

• As in the case of gear pumps, volumetric displacement is fixed. Due to the high
pressure at the inlet and low pressure at the outlet, a large side load on the shaft and
bearings is produced.

• Gear motors are normally limited to 150 bar operating pressures and 2500 RPM
operating speed.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Vane Motor
• Vane motor consisting of a circular chamber in which there is an eccentric rotor carrying
several spring or pressure-loaded vanes.

• Because the fluid flowing through the inlet port finds more area of vanes exposed in the
upper half of the motor, it exerts more force on the upper vanes, and the rotor turns
counterclockwise. Close tolerances are maintained between the vanes and ring to
provide high efficiencies.

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ROTARY ACTUATORS
Vane Motor

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Piston Motors

According to the basis of displacement, piston motors are classified as follows:

• Fixed-displacement piston motors.
• Variable-displacement piston motors.

• According to the piston of the cylinder block and the drive shaft, piston motors are
classified as follows:
a) Axial piston motors.
b) Radial piston motors.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Axial Piston Motors
• In axial piston motors, the piston reciprocates parallel to the axis of the cylinder
block. They generate torque by pressure acting on the ends of pistons
reciprocating inside a cylinder block.
• Pressure acting on the ends of the piston generates a force against an angled
swash plate. This causes the cylinder block to rotate with a torque that is
proportional to the area of the pistons.
• The torque is also a function of the swash-plate angle. The inline piston motor is
designed either as a fixed- or a variable-displacement unit. The swash plate
determines the volumetric displacement.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Axial Piston Motors

Swash plate piston motor

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Axial Piston Motors

• A bent-axis piston motor develops torque due to pressure acting on the reciprocating
piston.

• In this motor, the cylinder block and drive shaft mount at an angel to each other so that the
force is exerted on the drive shaft flange.

• Speed and torque depend on the angle between the cylinder block and the drive shaft. The
larger the angle, the greater the displacement and torque, and the smaller the speed.

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Axial Piston Motors

Bent axis piston motor

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 ROTARY ACTUATORS
Piston Motor
Radial Piston Motors

• In radial piston-type motors, the piston reciprocates radially or

perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft.

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SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS

• These are devices used to convert fluid energy into a torque which turns through an
angle limited by the design of the actuator.

• With the majority of designs, the angle of rotation is limited to 3600 although it is
possible to considerably exceed this when using piston-operated actuators.

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Vane-Type Semi-Rotary Actuator (Single Vane)
• A vane-type semi-rotary actuator consists of a vane connected to an
output shaft.

• When hydraulic pressure is applied to one side of the vane, it rotates.

A stop prevents the vane from rotating continuously.

• The rotation angle in the case of a single-vane semi-rotary actuator is

315°.

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SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Vane-Type Semi-Rotary Actuator (Single Vane)

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Two-Vane-Type Semi-Rotary Actuator
• The advantage of this design is that the torque output is increased
because the area subjected to pressure is large. However, two-vane
models cannot rotate as many degrees as can single-vane models. It
is limited to 100°.

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Chain and Sprocket Semi-Rotary Actuator
• In this design, an endless chain and a sprocket are used.

• It is suitable for multi-revolution applications.

• The chain is anchored to two pistons, one large and other small,
which when in their respective bores separate the half of the unit.
The larger cylinder is the power cylinder and the smaller cylinder is
the chain return or seal cylinder.

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Chain and Sprocket Semi-Rotary Actuator
• The idler is automatically a tensioned one, so that a constant tension
is maintained.

• Pressure is applied to one port of the actuator. The larger piston

moves away from the port due to differential areas of the two
pistons.

• The movement of larger piston pulls the chain, causing the sprocket
and output shaft to rotate.

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SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Chain and Sprocket Semi-Rotary Actuator

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Rack and Pinion Rotary Actuator
• A rack and pinion rotary actuator is a commonly used design for
obtaining partial revolution actuation.

• This consists of a hydraulic cylinder with a rack and pinion gear

mechanism.

• The rack gear on the piston rod turns the pinion gear, thereby
converting the linear motion of the piston into rotary motion, which
is transmitted to the load through the output shaft.

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SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Rack and Pinion Rotary Actuator

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 SEMI-ROTARY ACTUATORS
Rack and Pinion Rotary Actuator
• In another design, the cylinder drives a pinion gear and the rack is an
integral part of the piston rod. The angle of rotation depends upon
the stroke of the cylinder, rack and the pitch circle diameter of the
pinion. The start and finish of the stroke are adjusted by means of an
internal stop

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 LEVER SYSTEMS

• Many mechanisms use hydraulic cylinders to transmit motion and power.

• Among these, lever mechanisms such as toggles, the rotary devices and the push--pull
devices use a hydraulic cylinder.

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 LEVER SYSTEMS
First-Class Lever System
• In this lever system, the fixed-hinge point is located in between the cylinder and the loading
point.

• In this system, the downward load acts at the lever end. The cylinder has to apply a
downward force to lift the load.

• The cylinder has a clevis mounting arrangement; it pivots about its eye-end center through an
angle. However, the effect of this angle (around 10° to 15°) is negligible on the force and
hence cannot be considered.

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LEVER SYSTEMS
First-Class Lever System

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 LEVER SYSTEMS
First-Class Lever System
Here Fload = load to be operated
Fcyl = load to be exerted by a hydraulic cylinder
L1= distance from the rod end to the pivot point
L2= distance from the pivot point to the loading point
θ= inclination of the lever measured with respect to the horizontal line at the hinge.

• When the load is being lifted, the cylinder force rotates the lever in an anticlockwise direction
about the pivot point.

• Due to this, a moment acts in the anticlockwise direction.

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 LEVER SYSTEMS
First-Class Lever System
• At the same time, the force due to the load acting causes a clockwise moment. At
equilibrium, the two moments are equal.

• Suppose the centerline of the hydraulic cylinder tilts by an offset angle ϕ from the vertical;
the relationship becomes

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LEVER SYSTEMS
Second-Class Lever System

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 LEVER SYSTEMS
Second-Class Lever System
• In this lever system, the loading point is in between the cylinder and the hinge point.
• Equating moments about the fixed-hinge pin, we can write

• Compared to the first-class lever, the second-class lever requires smaller cylinder force to
drive the given load force for same L1 and L2 and load force. So a smaller size cylinder can be
used.

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LEVER SYSTEMS
Third-Class Lever System

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 LEVER SYSTEMS
Third-Class Lever System
• For a third-class lever system, the cylinder rod pin lies between the load road pin and the
fixed-hinge pin of the lever.

• Equating moments about the hinge point, we can write

• In a third-class lever system, cylinder force is greater than load force.

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 CONTROL ELEMENTS

• One of the most important considerations in any fluid power system is control. If control
components are not properly selected, the entire system does not function as required.

• In fluid power, controlling elements are called valves.

• A valve is a device that receives an external signal (mechanical, fluid pilot signal, electrical or
electronics) to release, stop or redirect the fluid that flows through it.

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 CONTROL ELEMENTS

There are three types of valves:

1. Direction control valves (DCVs): They determine the path through which a fluid transverses
a given circuit.

2. Pressure control valves: They protect the system against overpressure, which may occur due
to a sudden surge as valves open or close or due to an increase in fluid demand.

3. Flow control valves: The control of actuator speeds can be accomplished through use of flow
control valves.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

• The function of a Directional control valve is to control the direction of fluid flow in any
hydraulic system.

• This is mainly required for the following purposes:

• To start, stop, accelerate, decelerate and change the direction of motion of a hydraulic actuator.
• To permit the free flow from the pump to the reservoir at low pressure when the pump’s delivery is not
needed into the system.
• To vent the relief valve by either electrical or mechanical control.
• To isolate certain branch of a circuit.

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DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

Classification of DCVs based Fluid Path

• Check valves.
• Shuttle valves.
• Two-way valves.
• Three-way valves.
• Four-way valves.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
Check Valve
• A check valve allows flow in one direction, but blocks the flow in the opposite direction.
• In Figure, a light spring holds the ball against the valve seat. Flow coming into the inlet pushes
the ball off the seat against the light force of the spring and continues to the outlet.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
Check Valve
• A very low pressure is required to hold the valve open in this direction.

• If the flow tries to enter from the opposite direction, the pressure pushes the ball against the
seat and the flow cannot pass through.

Check valve Symbol

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
Check Valve
• A poppet is a specially shaped plug element held on a valve seat by a light spring.
• Fluid flows through the valve in the space between the seat and poppet. In the free flow
direction, the fluid pressure overcomes the spring force. If the flow is attempted in the
opposite direction, the fluid pressure pushes the poppet in the closed position. Therefore, no
flow is permitted.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
Shuttle Valve
• A shuttle valve allows two alternate flow sources to be connected in a one-branch circuit.
• Outlet A receives flow from an inlet that is at a higher pressure.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
Shuttle Valve
• One application for a shuttle valve is to have a primary pump inlet P1 and a secondary pump
inlet P2 connected to the system outlet A.

• The secondary pump acts as a backup, supplying flow to the system if the primary pump
loses pressure.

• It is called an “OR” valve.

Shuttle valve Symbol

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
2/2-Way DCV
• A spool type directional control valve consists of a cylindrical spool that slides back and forth
inside the valve body to connect or block flow between the ports.

• The larger diameter portion of the spool, the spool land blocks flow by covering the port.

2/2-way valve Symbol

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
2/2-Way DCV
• This particular valve has two ports labeled P and A. P is connected to the pump line and A is
connected to the outlet to the system.
• The valve is held in this position by the force of the spring. In this position, the flow from the
inlet port P is blocked from going to the outlet port A.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
2/2-Way DCV
• Figure (b) shows the valve in its actuated state and its corresponding symbol.

• The valve is shifted into this position by applying a force to overcome the resistance of the
spring. In this position, the flow is allowed to go to the outlet port.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
3/2-Way DCV
• Three-way valves either block or allow flow from an inlet to an outlet. They also allow the
outlet to flow back to the tank when the pump is blocked. A three-way valve has three ports,
namely, a pressure inlet (P), an outlet to the system (A) and a return to the tank (T).

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
4/2-Way DCV
• Four-way DCVs are capable of controlling double-acting cylinders and bidirectional motors.

• A four-way has four ports labeled P, T, A and B. P is the pressure inlet and T is the return to
the tank; A and B are outlets to the system.

4/2-way valve Symbol

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES
4/2-Way DCV
• In the normal position, pump flow is sent to outlet B. Outlet A is connected to the tank. In the
actuated position, the pump flow is sent to port A and port B connected to tank T. In four-way
DCVs, two flows of the fluids are controlled at the same time.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

Classification of DCVs based on Design Characteristics

• An internal valve mechanism that directs the flow of fluid. Such a mechanism can either be a
poppet, a ball, a sliding spool, a rotary plug or a rotary disk.
• Number of switching positions (usually 2 or 3).
• Number of connecting ports or ways.
• Method of valve actuation that causes the valve mechanism to move into an alternate
position.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

Classification of DCVs based on the Control Method

• Direct controlled DCV: A valve is actuated directly on the valve spool. This is suitable for
small-sized valves.

• Indirect controlled DCV: A valve is actuated by a pilot line or using a solenoid or by the
combination of electrohydraulic and electro-pneumatic means. The use of solenoid reduces
the size of the valve.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

Classification of DCVs based on the Construction of Internal Moving Parts

• Rotary spool type: In this type, the spool is rotated to change the direction of fluid. It has
longitudinal grooves. The rotary spools are usually manually operated.
• Sliding spool type: This consists of a specially shaped spool and a means of positioning the
spool. The spool is fitted with precision into the body bore through the longitudinal axis of
the valve body. The lands of the spool divide this bore into a series of separate chambers. The
ports of the valve body lead into these chambers and the position of the spool determines
the nature of inter-connection between the ports.

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 DIRECTION CONTROL VALVES

Actuating Devices
• Manually operated: In manually operated DCVs, the spool is shifted manually by moving a
handle pushing a button or stepping on a foot pedal.
• Mechanically operated: The spool is shifted by mechanical linkages such as cam and rollers.
• Solenoid operated: When an electric coil or a solenoid is energized, it creates a magnetic
force that pulls the armature into the coil. This causes the armature to push the spool of the
valve.
• Pilot operated: A DCV can also be shifted by applying a pilot signal (either hydraulic or
pneumatic) against a piston at either end of the valve spool.

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 FLOW CONTROL VALVE

• Flow-control valves control the rate of flow of a fluid through a hydraulic circuit.

• Flow-control valves accurately limit the fluid volume rate from fixed displacement pump to or
from branch circuits.

• Their function is to provide velocity control of linear actuators, or speed control of rotary
actuators.

• It also allow one fixed displacement pump to supply two or more branch circuits fluid at
different flow rates on a priority basis.

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 FLOW CONTROL VALVE

Functions of Flow-Control Valves

1. Regulate the speed of linear and rotary actuators: They control the speed of piston that is
dependent on the flow rate and area of the piston:

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 FLOW CONTROL VALVE

Functions of Flow-Control Valves

2. Regulate the power available to the sub-circuits by controlling the flow to them:

3. Proportionally divide or regulate the pump flow to various branches of the circuit: It
transfers the power developed by the main pump to different sectors of the circuit to manage
multiple tasks, if necessary.

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 FLOW CONTROL VALVE

Classification of Flow-Control Valves

1. Non-pressure compensated.
2. Pressure compensated.

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FLOW CONTROL VALVES
Non-pressure compensated
• Non-pressure-compensated flow-control valves are used when the system pressure is
relatively constant and motoring speeds are not too critical.

• The operating principle behind these valves is that the flow through an orifice
remains constant if the pressure drop across it remains the same.

• In other words, the rate of flow through an orifice depends on the pressure drop
across it.

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FLOW CONTROL VALVES
Non-pressure compensated
• It consists of a screw (and needle) inside a tube-like structure. It has an adjustable
orifice that can be used to reduce the flow in a circuit. The size of the orifice is adjusted
by turning the adjustment screw that raises or lowers the needle. For a given opening
position, a needle valve behaves as an orifice.

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FLOW CONTROL VALVES
Non-pressure compensated
• Sometimes needle valves come with an integrated check valve for controlling the flow
in one direction only.
• The check valve permits easy flow in the opposite direction without any restrictions.

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FLOW CONTROL VALVES
Pressure compensated
• Pressure-compensated flow-control valves overcome the difficulty caused by non-
pressure-compensated valves by changing the size of the orifice in relation to the
changes in the system pressure.

• This is accomplished through a spring-loaded compensator spool that reduces the

size of the orifice when pressure drop increases.

• Once the valve is set, the pressure compensator acts to keep the pressure drop
nearly constant. It works on a kind of feedback mechanism from the outlet pressure.
This keeps the flow through the orifice nearly constant.

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FLOW CONTROL VALVES
Pressure compensated

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES

• Pressure-control valves are used in hydraulic systems to

control actuator force (force = pressure × area) and to
determine and select pressure levels at which certain
machine operations must occur.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES

Pressure controls are mainly used to perform the following system

functions:
• Limiting maximum system pressure at a safe level.
• Regulating/reducing pressure in certain portions of the circuit.
• Unloading system pressure.
• Assisting sequential operation of actuators in a circuit with pressure
control.
• Any other pressure-related function by virtue of pressure control.
• Reducing or stepping down pressure levels from the main circuit to a
lower pressure in a sub-circuit.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES

• Pressure-relief valve.
• Pressure-reducing valve.
• Unloading valve
• Counterbalance valve.
• Pressure sequence valve.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Relief Valves
• Pressure-relief valves limit the maximum pressure in a hydraulic
circuit by providing an alternate path for fluid flow when the
pressure reaches a preset level.

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

system from excess pressure.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Relief Valves
• Schematic diagram of simple relief valve is shown in figure. 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.

Symbol

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Relief Valves
• A poppet is held seated inside the valve by a heavy spring. When the
system pressure reaches a high enough value, the poppet is forced
off its seat. This permits flow through the outlet to the tank as long
as this high pressure level is maintained.
• Note the external adjusting screw, which varies spring force and,
thus, the pressure at which the valve begins to open (cracking
pressure).

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Reducing Valve
• This type of valve (which is normally open) is used to maintain
reduced pressures in specified locations of hydraulic systems.

• It is actuated by downstream pressure and tends to close as this

pressure reaches the valve setting.

Symbol

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Reducing Valve
• A pressure-reducing valve uses a spring-loaded spool to control the
downstream pressure.

• If the downstream pressure is below the valve setting, the fluid flows
freely from the inlet to the outlet.

• Note that there is an internal passageway from the outlet which

transmits outlet pressure to the spool end opposite the spring.

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Reducing Valve

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure-Reducing Valve
• When the outlet (downstream) pressure increases to the valve
setting, the spool moves to the right to partially block the outlet port.
Just enough flow is passed to the outlet to maintain its preset
pressure level.

• If the valve closes completely, leakage past the spool causes

downstream pressure to build up above the valve setting. This is
prevented from occurring because a continuous bleed to the tank is
permitted via a separate drain line to the tank.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valves
• Unloading valves are pressure-control devices that are used to dump
excess fluid to the tank at little or no pressure.

• This valve consists of a control chamber with an adjustable spring

which pushes the spool down.

• The valve has two ports: one is connected to the tank and another is
connected to the pump. The valve is operated by movement of the
spool.

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valve

Symbol

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valves
• Normally, the valve is closed and the tank port is also closed. These
valves are used to permit a pump to operate at the minimum load.

• It works on the same principle as direct control valve that the pump
delivery is diverted to the tank when sufficient pilot pressure is
applied to move the spool.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valves
• The pilot pressure maintains a static pressure to hold the valve
opened. The pilot pressure holds the valve until the pump delivery is
needed in the system.

• As the pressure is needed in the hydraulic circuit; the pilot pressure is

relaxed and the spool moves down due to the self-weight and the
spring force.

• Now, the flow is diverted to the hydraulic circuit. The drain is

provided to remove the leaked oil collected in the control chamber to
prevent the valve failure. The unloading valve reduces the heat
buildup due to fluid discharge at a preset pressure value.

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valves

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Unloading Valves

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Counterbalance Valve
• These normally closed valves are primarily used to maintain a back
pressure on a vertical cylinder to prevent it from falling due to
gravity.

• They are used to prevent a load from accelerating uncontrollably.

• This situation can occur in vertical cylinders in which the load is a

weight. This can damage the load or even the cylinder itself when
the load is stopped quickly at the end of the travel.

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Counterbalance Valve

Symbol

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Counterbalance Valve
• Counterbalance valves work on the principle that the fluid is trapped
under pressure until pilot pressure overcomes the pre-set value of
spring force.

• Fluid is then allowed to escape, letting the load to descend under

control. This valve is normally closed until it is acted upon by a
remote pilot pressure source.

• Therefore, a lower spring force is sufficient. It leads to the valve

operation at the lower pilot pressure and hence the power
consumption reduces, pump life increases and the fluid temperature
decreases.

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 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure Sequence Valve
• A sequence valve is a pressure-control valve that is used to force two
actuators to operate in sequence.

• They are similar to pressure-relief valves. Instead of sending flow

back to the tank, a sequence valve allows flow to a branch circuit,
when a preset pressure is reached.

• The check valve allows the sequence valve to be bypassed in the

reverse direction.

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure Sequence Valve

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PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES
Pressure Sequence Valve

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