Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Control Valves

MT 260: Actuating Systems

Lecture # 27
 Type of Construction
Ball Type Check Valves
• In Ball Type Check Valves the ball is held against the valve seat by
a spring force.
• It can be observed from the figure that the fluid flow is not possible from
the spring side but the fluid from opposite side can pass by lifting the
ball against the spring.

• However, there is some pressure drop across

the valve due to restriction by the spring force.
• Therefore these valves are not suitable for
the application of high flow rate.
• However, pressure drop is comparatively less in
right angle check valve.
 Type of Construction
Poppet Type Check Valves
• These valves are used when a direction
sensitive flow rate is required.
• The flow adjustment screw can be used to set
the discharge (flow rate) in the restricted
direction.
• Another important type of check valve known
as pilot operated check valve which is shown
in figure here.
• The function of the pilot operated check valve is similar to a normal
check valve unless it gets an extra pressure signal through a pilot line.
• Pilot allows free flow in one direction and prevents the flow in another
direction until the pilot pressure is applied.
• But when pilot pressure acts, the poppet opens and the flow is
blocked from both the sides.
• These valves are used to stop the fluid suddenly.
 Type of Construction
Spool valve
• The spool valves are categorized according to the number of
operating positions and the way hydraulic lines interconnections.
• One of the simplest two-way spool valve is shown in Figure here.
• The standard terms are referred as:
- Port ‘P’ is pressure port
- Port ‘T’ is tank port
- Port ‘A’ andPort ‘B’ arethe actuator (or working) ports
• The actuators can move in forward or backward direction depending
on the connectivity of the pressure and tank port with the actuators
port.
 Designation by Number of Ports
Two-Way Valves
• Two-way valves have only two ports as shown in Figure below.
• These valves are also known as on-off valves because they allow
the fluid flow only in direction.
• These valves are available as normally open and normally
closed function.
• These are the simplest type of spool valves.
• When actuating force is not applied to the right, the port P is not
connected with port A the actuation does not take place.
• Similarly, the two-way spool valve in the open condition, when
the pressure port P is connected with the actuator port A.
 Designation by Number of Ports
Three-Way Valves
• When a valve has one pressure port, one tank port and one
actuating port as shown in Figures below, it is known as three way
valve.
• In this valve, the pressure port pressurizes one port and exhausts
another one.
• As shown only one actuator port is opened at a time. In some cases
a neutral position is also available when both the ports are blocked.
Generally, these valves are used to operate single acting cylinders.
 Designation by Number of Ports
Four-Way Valves
• Figure below shows a four-way valve.
• It is generally used to operate the cylinders and fluid motors in both
the directions.
• The four ways are: pump port P, tank port T, and two working ports A and
B connected to the actuator.
• The primary function of a four way valve is to pressurize and exhaust
two working ports A and B alternatively.
Classification according to Switching Position
Three Position Four-way (3/4) Valves
• Three position four way (3/4) valves are used in double-acting
cylinders to perform advance, hold and return operation to the piston.
• Figures below show three position four-way valves.
• These types of valves have three switching positions.
• They have a variety of possible flow path configurations but
have identical flow path configuration.
• When the centered path is actuated, port A and B are connected with
both the ports P and T respectively. In this case, valve is not active
because all the ports are open to each other. The fluid flows to the
tank at atmospheric pressure.
• In this position work cannot be done by any part of the system. This
configuration helps to prevent heat buildup.
Classification according to Switching Position
Three Position Four-way (3/4) Valves
• When left end (port B) is actuated:
- Port P is connected with ports B and
- Port T is connected with port A as shown in
Figure below.
Classification according to Switching Position
Three Position Four-way (3/4) Valves
• Similarly, when the right end is actuated:
- Port P is connected to A
- Working port B is connected to port T as shown in
Figure here.

• The three position valves are used when the actuator is needed to
stop or hold at some intermediate position.
• It can also be used when the multiple circuits or functions are
accomplished from one hydraulic power source.
Classification according to Switching Position
Two Position Four-way (2/4) Valves
• The two position 4-way valves have only two switching positions and
do not have any mid position.
• Therefore, they are also known as impulse valves.
• These valves can be used to operate double acting cylinders.
• These are also used to reciprocate or hold an actuator.
• The operation is faster because the distance between ports of
these valves is smaller.
• Hence, these valves are used on machines where fast
reciprocation cycles are needed such as punching and stamping
etc.
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Manual / Mechanical Actuation
In this type, the spool is operated manually. Manual
actuators are hand lever, push button and pedals etc.
Therefore, they are also known as impulse valves.
Cross-sectional diagram of an open globe valve.
1) Body
2) Ports
3) Seat
4) Stem
5) Disc when valve is open
6) Handle or handwheel when valve is open
7) Bonnet
8) Packing
9) Gland nut
10) Fluid flow when valve is open
11) Position of disc if valve were shut
12) Position of handle or handwheel if valve were shut
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Solenoid Actuation
• The solenoid actuation is also known as electrical actuation.
• The schematic of solenoid actuation is shown in Figure below.
• The energized solenoid coil creates a magnetic force which pulls
the armature into the coil.
• This movement of armature controls the spool position.
• The main advantage of solenoid actuation is its less switching time.
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Hydraulic Actuation
• This type actuation is usually known as pilot-actuated valve and
a schematic is shown in Figure below.
• In this type of actuation, the hydraulic pressure is directly applied on
the spool.
• The pilot port is located on one end of the valve. Fluid entering from
pilot port operates against the piston and forces the spool to move
forward. The needle valve is used to control the speed of the actuation.
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Pneumatic actuation
• DCV can also be operated by applying compressed air
against a piston at either end of the valve spool.
• The construction of the system is similar to the hydraulic
actuation as shown in previous slide.
• The only difference would be the actuation medium.
• The actuation medium is the compressed air in
pneumatic actuation system.
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Indirect actuation of directional control valve
• The direction control valve can be operated by manual,
mechanical, solenoidal (electrical), hydraulic (pilot) and pneumatic
actuations.
• The mode of actuation does not have any influence on the
basic operation of the hydraulic circuits.
• Mostly, the direct actuation is restricted to use with smaller valves
only because usually lot of force is not available.
• The availability of limited force is the greatest disadvantage of the
direct actuation systems.
• In practice, the force required to shift the spool is quiet higher.
• Therefore, the larger valves are often indirectly actuated in sequence.
Classification based on Actuation Mechanism
Indirect actuation of directional control valve
• First, the smaller valve is actuated directly and the flow from the
smaller valve is directed to either side of the larger valve.
• The control fluid can be supplied by the same circuit or by a
separate circuit.
• The pilot valve pressure is usually supplied internally. These two
valves are often incorporated as a single unit. These valves are also
called as Electro-hydraulic operated DCV.
Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Flow Control Valves

 Flow Control Valves
• In practice, the speed of actuator is very
important in terms of the desired output and
needs to be controlled.

• The speed of actuator can be controlled by

regulating the fluid flow.

• A flow control valve can regulate the flow or

pressure of the fluid.

• The fluid flow is controlled by varying area of

the valve opening through which fluid
passes.
 Flow Control Valves
• The fluid flow can be decreased by reducing the area
of the valve opening and it can be increased by
increasing the area of the valve opening.

• A very common example to the fluid flow control valve is

the household tap. Figure here shows the schematic
diagram of a flow control valve.

• The pressure adjustment screw varies the fluid flow area

in the pipe to control the discharge rate.
 Flow Control Valves
• The pressure drop across the valve may keep on
fluctuating.

• In general, the hydraulic systems have a pressure

compensating pump. The inlet pressure remains
almost constant but the outlet pressure keeps on
fluctuating depending on the external load.

• It creates fluctuating pressure drop. Thus, the ordinary

flow control valve will not be able to maintain a constant
fluid flow.

• A pressure compensated flow control valve maintains the

constant flow throughout the movement of a spool, which
shifts its position depending on the pressure.
 Flow Control Valves
• Flow control valves can also be affected by temperature
changes. It is because the viscosity of the fluid changes
with temperature.

• Therefore, the advanced flow control valves

often have the temperature compensation.

• The temperature compensation is achieved by the

thermal expansion of a rod, which compensates for the
increased coefficient of discharge due to decreasing
viscosity with temperature.
 Types of Flow Control Valves
• The flow control valves work on applying a variable
restriction in the flow path. Based on the construction;
there are mainly four types:

– Plug valve
– Butterfly valve
– Ball valve
– Balanced valve.
 Types of Flow Control Valves
Plug or glove valve
• The plug valve is quite commonly used valve. It is also termed as
glove valve.
• Schematic of plug or glove valve is shown in Figure here.
• This valve has a plug which can be adjusted in vertical direction
by setting flow adjustment screw.
• The adjustment of plug alters the orifice
size between plug and valve seat.
• Thus the adjustment of plug controls the fluid
flow in the pipeline.
• The characteristics of these valves
can be accurately predetermined
by machining the taper of the plug.

35
 Types of Flow Control Valves
Butterfly valve
• A butterfly valve is shown in Figure on right.
• It consists of a disc which can rotate inside the
pipe.
• The angle of disc determines the restriction.
• Butterfly valve can be made to any size and is
widely used to control the flow of gas.
• These valves have many types which have
applications for different pressure ranges.
• The resilient butterfly valve uses the flexibility of
rubber and has the lowest pressure rating.
 Types of Flow Control Valves
Butterfly valve
• The high performance butterfly valves have a slight offset in the way
the disc is positioned.
• It increases its sealing ability and decreases the wear.
• For high-pressure systems, the triple offset butterfly valve is
suitable which makes use of a metal seat and is therefore able to
withstand high pressure.
• It has higher risk of leakage on the shut-off position and suffer from
the dynamic torque effect.
• Butterfly valves are favored because of their lower cost and
lighter weight.
• The disc is always present in the flow therefore a pressure drop is
induced regardless of the valve position.
 Types of Flow Control Valves
Ball Valve
• The ball valve is shown in Figure on right.
• This type of flow control valve uses a
ball rotated inside a machined seat.
• The ball has a through hole as shown in the Figure.
• It has very less leakage in its shut-off condition.
• These valves are durable and usually work perfectly for many years.
• They are excellent choice for shutoff applications.
• They do not offer fine control which may be necessary in
throttling applications.
• These valves are widely used in industries because of their
versatility, high supporting pressures (up to 1000 bar) and
temperatures (up to 250°C). They are easy to repair and operate.
 Types of Flow Control Valves
Balanced valve

• Schematic of a balanced valve is

shown in figure here.

• It comprises of two plugs and two

seats.

• The pressure-balanced valves

are used in houses.

• They can provide water at nearly

constant temperature to a
shower or tap despite of
pressure fluctuations in either the
hot or cold supply lines.