Hydraulic And Pneumatic

Systems, EME4604
Fourth Year, Mechanical Department.
Course Coordinator:
Dr. Mohamed Sayed Soliman
Mechanical Power Eng. Dept., Faculty of Engineering,
Port-Said University.
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Port-Said 2023-2024
 Lecture 9

Chapter 4

Valves - Part 2

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How to Read the Valve Schematic:

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 How to Read the Valve Schematic:
 P – Pressure port ( high pressure oil inlet from pump)
 T – Tank or return port connected to tank
 A,B – Ports connected to actuator (eg., piston side and rod side of cylinder)
 The figure below represents a 2 position, 4-way ( or 4- port) valve . The two rectangular
blocks represent two positions of possible actuation of valve. A,B,P and T are the 4 ports of
the valve connected to different components. Hence it is called a 2/4 valve.
 The construction or design of the valve is such that when valve is actuated to left side, as
shown by arrows, pressure line from pump is connected to A side of actuator, and B side is
connected to the tank.
 Similarly, when valve is switched to second position, the right side is effective. (Now read the
four symbols A,B,P,T on the four ports in right rectangle, which is effective).
 From the arrows it means P is connected to B and A is connected to T).

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3- Three-Way Valves, (No. of the ports)
 Three-way directional control valves, which contain three ports, are typically of the spool
design rather than poppet design.
 A spool is a circular shaft containing lands that are large diameter sections machined to slide
in a very close fitting bore of the valve body.
 The radial clearance between the land and bore is usually less than 0.001 in.
 The grooves between the lands provide the flow paths between ports.
 These valves are designed to operate with two or three positions of the spool.
 The spool can be positioned manually, mechanically, by using pilot pressure, or by using
electrical solenoids.

 Figure shows the flow paths through a three-way valve that uses two positions of the spool.
Such a valve is called a three-way, two-position directional control valve (3/2 DCV).
 The flow paths are shown by two schematic drawings (one for each spool position) as well as
by a graphic symbol (containing two side-by-side rectangles).
 In discussing the operation of these valves, the rectangles are commonly called “envelopes.”
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 (3/2 DCV)

Two spool positions inside a three-way valve (3/2 DCV).

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Spool Position 1: Flow can go from pump port P (the port
connected to the pump discharge pipe) to outlet port A as shown
by the straight line and arrow in the left envelope. In this spool
position, tank port T (the port connected to the pipe leading
to the oil tank) is blocked.
Spool Position 2: Flow can go from port A to port T. Port P is
blocked by the spool. Note that the three ports are labeled for
only one of the two envelopes of the graphic symbol. Thus, the
reader must mentally identify the ports on the second envelope.

Three-way valves are typically used to control the flow

directions to and from single-acting cylinders, as illustrated in
Three-way DCV controlling
figure. As shown, the cylinder extends under hydraulic pressure flow directions to and from
(left envelope) and retracts under spring force as oil flows to the a single-acting cylinder.
oil tank (right envelope). Observe that fluid entering the pump (3/2 DCV)
port of a three-way valve can be directed to only a single outlet
port (in this case port A). 8
 4- Four-Way Valves, (No. of the ports)
• Figure shows the flow paths through a four-way, two-position directional control valve (4/2
DCV)
• Observe that fluid entering the valve at the pump port can be directed to either outlet port A
or B.

• The following is a description of the flow paths through this four-way valve:
 Spool Position 1: Flow can go from P to A and B to T.
 Spool Position 2: Flow can go from P to B and A to T.
 Observe that the graphic symbol shows only one tank port T (for a total of four ports) even
though the actual valve may have two, as shown in the schematic drawings. However, each
tank port provides the same function, and thus there are only four different ports from a
functional standpoint. The two internal flow-to-tank passageways can be combined inside the
actual valve to provide a single tank port.
Recall that the graphic symbol is concerned with only the function of a component and not its
internal design.
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Four-way valves are typically used to control the flow directions to and from double-acting
cylinders, as shown in figure.
As shown, a four-way valve permits the cylinder to both extend (left envelope) and retract (right
envelope) under hydraulic pressure.

Four-way DCV controlling flow

directions to and from a double-
acting cylinder. (4/2 DCV)
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Two spool positions inside a four-way valve(4/2 DCV)
[Link]

Simple pneumatic circuit - double acting actuator

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 5- Actuation of Directional Control Valves
1- Manually Actuated Valves
1-1 Sliding Spool
Figure shows a cutaway of a four-way valve manually
actuated (see hand lever). Since the spool is spring-
loaded at both ends, it is a spring-centered, three-
position directional control valve (4/3 DCV). Thus,
when the valve is unactuated (no hand force on lever),
the valve will assume its center position due to the
balancing opposing spring forces. Also observe the
spring and lever actuation symbols used at the ends of
Manually actuated, spring-centered, three-
the right and left envelopes. These imply a spring-
position, four-way valve (4/3 DCV)
centered, manually actuated valve. It should be noted
that a three-position valve is used when it is necessary
to stop or hold a hydraulic actuator at some
intermediate position within its entire stroke range.
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[Link]

Directional Control Sliding Spool Valve Working _ Hydraulic

Valves

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In Figure we see a manually actuated, two-position, four-way valve that is spring offset. In this
case the lever shifts the spool, and the spring returns the spool to its original position when the
lever is released. There are only two unique operating positions, as indicated by the graphic
symbol. Note that the ports are labeled at the envelope representing the neutral (spring offset or
return) or unactuated position of the spool.

Manually actuated, two-position, spring-offset, four-way valve 14

1- Manually Actuated Valves
1-2 Rotary valves

 Rotary valves consist of a rotating spool which aligns with holes in the valve casing to give
the required operation.
 The below shows the construction and symbol of a typical valve with center off action.
 Rotary valves are compact, simple and have low operating forces.
 They are, however, low-pressure devices and are consequently mainly used for hand
operation in pneumatic systems.

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[Link]

Sliding and Rotary Spool Valve Animation | Directional Control

Valve

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 2- Mechanically Actuated Valves

 Figure shows a two-position, four-way,

spring-offset valve that is mechanically
rather than manually actuated. This is
depicted in the cutaway view, with the
spool end containing a roller that is
typically actuated by a cam-type
mechanism.

 The graphic symbol is the same except

that actuation is depicted as being
mechanical (the circle represents the cam- Mechanically actuated, spring-offset, two-position, four-
driven roller) rather than manual. way valve.

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 3- Hydraulic Actuation, Pilot-Actuated Valves
Directional control valves can also be shifted
by applying air pressure against a piston at
either end of the valve spool. Such a design is
illustrated by the cutaway view of Figure. As
shown, springs (located at both ends of the
spool) push against centering washers to center
the spool when no air is applied. When air is
introduced through the left end passage, its
pressure pushes against the piston to shift the
spool to the right. Removal of this left end air
supply and introduction of air through the right
end passage causes the spool to shift to the left. Air pilot–actuated, three-position, spring-
Therefore, this is a four-way, three-position, centered, four-way valve.
spring-centered, air pilot–actuated directional
control valve. In the graphic symbol in Figure,
the dashed lines represent pilot pressure lines. 18
 4- Solenoid-Actuated Valves
Solenoid Actuated DCV: A very common way to actuate a spool valve is by using
a solenoid is illustrated in the figure. When the electric coil (solenoid) is energized,
it creates a magnetic force that pulls the armature into the coil. This caused the
armature to push on the spool rod to move the spool of the valve. The advantage of
a solenoid valve is that the switching time is less.

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 Valve Schematic

Solenoid operated Pilot operated Manual operated

Push button Foot operated Pilot-operated solenoid

Mechanical operated
Two-position detent Spring return 20
 Center position of a 4/3 DCV
 The 4/2 DCVs are sometimes impractical because they continually send pump
flow and pressure to the actuator in one direction or the other.

 Many cylinder and motor applications require a third DCV position or neutral
in which the actuator is subjected to pump pressure.

 Most 4/3 valves have a variety of possible flow path configurations.

 These valves have an identical flow path configuration in the actuated position
but a different spring-centered flow path.
 Four-way three-position circuits are therefore used in many hydraulic circuits.

 Many types of neutrals are available; the most common of them are as follows:
Closed center, Open center, Tandem center, and Float center. 21
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 1- Closed Center
 For closed neutral, the pump line is blocked so that the flow
must pass over the pressure relief valve the pressure is at the
system maximum.
 This is wasteful thing because it generates power in the form
of pressure and flow but does not use it. The wasted energy
in the system goes as heat. This is undesirable because the
hydraulic fluid becomes thinner (less viscous) as it heats up.
When the fluid becomes too thin, it does not lubricate
effectively. This is the result of increased wear.

The outlet lines to the cylinder are blocked, so the cylinder is

held trimly in position. This is because the lines are full of
hydraulic fluid that is incompressible. This type of neutral could
also be used to control a motor. Just like cylinder, the motor is
held tired in position when the valve is in the neutral.
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 2- Tandem Center
 The pump flow is allowed to flow back to the tank
through the DCV when it is in the neutral.
 This is a very desirable situation because only
pressure in the pump line is due to the flow
resistance of the lines and DCV.
 This keeps the pressure low when the valve is in the
neutral. In this situation, the system is said to be
unloaded because the power consumption is
reduced.
 This wastes much less energy than does a closed
central neutral that forces the fluid over the pressure
relief valve at a high pressure.
 The cylinder is held in position with a tandem
neutral because the outlet port is blocked.

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 3- Float Center
 The next Figure shows a four-way with a float neutral
controlling a bidirectional motor.
 The pressure port is blocked so that the pump flow is
forced over the pressure relief valve.
 Because both the outlets are connected to the tank, the
motor floats or spins freely when the DCV is in the neutral.
This type is used in motor circuits because it allows the
motor to spin to a stop when the valve is shifted to the
neutral.
 This is often preferable to shifting to a closed position
because motors often build up a great deal of momentum.
 Shifting the valve closed in this situation causes a large
pressure hike in the outlet line because the motor tends to
keep spinning and tries to push the fluid into its outlet.
 This is known as shifting shock. Float neutrals are often
desirable for cylinder circuits in some applications.
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 4- Open Center
 The next Figure shows the four-way with an
open neutral controlling a cylinder.

 Flow always follows the path of least

resistance, so the pump flow goes back to
the tank.

 Because the outlets are also connected to the

tank, the cylinder floats when this valve is in
neutral.

 This is desirable in a circuit in which some

external force must position the cylinder
when in the neutral. 26
 Center Flow Path Configurations
for Three-Position, Four-Way Valves

Various center flow paths for three-position, four-way valves. 27

[Link]

open center valve

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 Quiz
1- The vane pump types are ……………….(………….displacement)
and ......................(……………..displacement).

2- The vane pump can usually handle high viscosity

liquids ( ).
3- State the names of operations and parts of vane
pump:
4- For vane pump, the eccentricity can be changed
to control the flow velocity. ( )

5- There are two basic types of piston pumps:

 One is the …………, having pistons that are parallel to the axis of the cylinder block, which
can be either of: the ………..configuration or of the …………….design.
 The second type of piston pump is the ……………….
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6- The volumetric displacement of the piston pump varies with ………………...
7- for piston pump, No flow is produced when the cylinder block centerline is parallel to the drive
shaft centerline ( ).
8− The offset angle can vary from ……° to a maximum of about …..°.
9- Fixed displacement pumps are usually provided with …..° or ……° offset angles.
10- Radial piston pumps are capable of …………and ………………..
11- Most applications radial piston pump are in ……………., particularly in ………….. and
……………machines.
12- ………...extract energy from the fluid to perform useful work.
13- The hydraulic motor has two types; ………….., and …………..
14- Cylinders sometimes called ………because they convert fluid power into ……... force.
15- Single acting cylinders retract hydraulically. ( )
16- Single-acting cylinders are practical for …………and are used on jacks, elevators and
automobile hoists.
17- Double-acting cylinders can be …………… and …………… hydraulically.
18- Hydraulic telescopic cylinders are often limited to a maximum hydraulic pressure of ….. psi.

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