HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS

Directional Control Valves

Presented by: Dr. Abootorabi

1
Directional Control Devices
Directional control devices allow a system operator to control the

direction of fluid flow in the system

Starting and stopping of actuators

Control of actuator movement direction

2
Directional Control Devices

Directional control devices can be grouped in four general

classifications:

Shut-off or two-way valves

Check valves

Three-way valves

Four-way valves

3
Directional Control Devices
The primary purpose of shut-off valves is to block fluid flow

through a hydraulic system line:

Globe valve

Gate valve

Ball valve

Spool valve

Needle valve
4
Directional Control Devices

Typical globe valve

5
Directional Control Devices

Typical gate valve

6
Directional Control Devices

Typical ball valve

7
Directional Control Devices

Typical spool valve

8
Directional Control Devices

Typical needle valve

9
Directional Control Devices
The primary purpose of check valves is to allow free flow in one

direction while preventing reverse flow.

Other functions include:

Bypassing components during the return cycle of the

system

Providing flow resistance to maintain a minimum system

pressure required for pilot operations

10
Directional Control Devices

Typical inline check valve

11
Directional Control Devices

Typical right-angle check valve

12
Directional Control Devices
Typical check valve

13
Directional Control Devices
A standard check valve consists of a valve body containing a one-

way valve located between inlet and outlet ports:

The one-way valve allows fluid flow through the valve in only

one direction

Some designs contain a spring that seats the valve poppet or

ball

In other designs, the poppet is seated only by fluid flow

14
Directional Control Devices
Restriction check valves allow free flow in one direction and

restricted flow when flow direction is reversed.

This is accomplished via a metering orifice machined into the

poppet.

Typical restriction check valve:

15
 Directional Control Devices
Pilot-operated check valves can allow reverse flow through the valve:

Typically, pilot pressure opens the valve

In some designs, pilot pressure may also hold the valve shut to
block flow in both directions

Pilot pressure to open check valve

16
Directional Control Devices

Pilot pressure to block flow through valve

17
Directional Control Devices

Three-way directional control valves provide a

means to extend rams and single-acting cylinders.

The actuator is returned to its original position by

an external force:

System load

Spring built into the actuator

18
Directional Control Devices

Typical three-way directional control valve

19
Directional Control Devices

During extension, the three-way valve connects the actuator inlet

line to a system supply line, allowing fluid to enter and extend the

unit.

During retraction, the valve blocks the supply line and connects the

actuator line to a system return line, allowing external force to

return the actuator to its original position while directing displaced

fluid to the reservoir.

20
Directional Control Devices
Four-way directional control valves provide a means to power

actuators in either direction:

Valve has four external ports for connection to system

supply line, reservoir, and inlet and outlet of the actuator

Internal structure of the valve allows the ports to be

alternately connected when a change in actuator direction

is necessary

21
Directional Control Devices
Four-way valve powers double-acting cylinder during extension

and retraction.

22
Directional Control Devices
Four-way directional control valves are typically manufactured as

two- or three-position valves. This provides several operating

options when designing circuits.

Typical two-position, four-way

valve (4/2-way valve ):

23
Directional Control Devices

In two-position valves, the first position operates the actuator in one

direction, while the second position reverses the direction.

In three-position valves, a center position is added that provides

additional circuit operating characteristics.

24
Directional Control Devices
Typical three-position, four-way valve:

25
Directional Control Devices

A number of center position configurations are available:

Closed

Open

Tandem

Floating

Regenerative

26
Directional Control Devices

Symbols for four-way valve center position

27
Directional Control Devices
Four-way valve center position

28
Directional Control Devices
Four-way valve center position

29
Directional Control Devices

The center position affects directional control characteristics and

overall system efficiency.

Each style provides distinct operating characteristics that allow

hydraulic system designers to obtain maximum performance from a

system.

30
Directional Control Devices

A number of activation Five general categories:

methods are used to shift the
internal components
directional control valves.
Flow actuation
Manual operation
of
Mechanical operation
Pilot operation

Electrical operation

Flow actuation uses internal fluid movement to actuate the

valve. No external mechanism or force is used.

31
Directional Control Devices
Manual operation methods include:

Handwheels

Levers

Push buttons

Foot pedals

These devices require constant operator presence and are

typically found in less-complex systems.

32
Directional Control Devices
Mechanical operation methods include:

Rollers

Cams

Levers

Rams

Mechanical operation is often used when the opening and

closing of the valve must occur at a specific position in
actuator travel.

33
Directional Control Devices

Circuit containing a mechanically actuated directional control valve

34
Directional Control Devices
Pilot operation uses system pressure to activate the valve,
rather than physical labor.

This method is effective when:

Larger forces are need to shift the valve

Remote operation is required because of safety or tight

physical factors

35
Directional Control Devices
Electrical control of hydraulic systems is common in many types
of equipment:

Simple solenoid devices to shift basic valves

Electronic controllers operate proportional solenoid valves

to produce extreme accuracy and repeatability

36
Directional Control Devices

Multiple-position directional control valve may be held in a

desired position using springs or detents.

Springs are located on the ends of the valve spool to return

the valve to its normal operating position.

37
Directional Control Devices

Symbols for spring-return valves

38
Directional Control Devices

Detents are locking devices that hold the spool in a selected

position:

The spool may be held until the operator manually shifts

the valve

Increased system pressure at the end of an operation may

automatically shift detent valves back to the normal

position

39
Directional Control Devices

Typical detent operation

40
The end.

41