Chapter 5

Hydraulic Directional Valves

5.1 Introduction

The control of fluid flow in hydraulic and pneumatic circuits is an important consid-
eration to improve efficiency and reduce losses. This important consideration is to
select the components such as the valve. There are three basic types of valves are
used in the fluid power system. These are directional control valves (DCV), pres-
sure control valves (PCV), and flow control valves (FCV). The directional control
valves control the direction of the fluid. The check valve, shuttle valves, two-way,
three-way, and four-way directional control valves are used. The pressure control
valves are used in a fluid power system to protect different types of components
against overpressure due to the sudden closing of the valves. The pressure control in
a fluid power system is accomplished by pressure reducing, pressure relief, sequence,
unloading, and counterbalance valves. The flow control valve controls the amount of
fluid flow (flow rates) in hydraulic and pneumatic circuits. The speed of the cylinder
mainly depends on the amount of fluid that passes through the tubing or piping. This
type of task is accomplished by the flow control valve such as a one-way control
valve or non-return throttle valve. This chapter will discuss different types of control
valves, classification, construction, and applications. In addition, Automation Studio
software is used to simulate the operation of cylinders with the directional control
valves.

5.2 Control Valves

The control part is the most important characteristic of a fluid power system. The
pressure energy is fed into the cylinder through different control blocks known as
valves. These valves are used in a hydraulic system to control the direction, pressure,
flow, and other specific applications. A valve is a device that uses an external signal
to release, stop or redirect the fluid flows through a system is known as a directional

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022 213
Md. A. Salam, Fundamentals of Pneumatics and Hydraulics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0855-2_5
214 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

control valve (DCV). These external signals may be either mechanical, electrical,
hydraulic, pneumatic, or fluid pilot signals. In a normally open (NO), under un-
actuated conditions, the pressure port is connected to the working port or auxiliary
port A. It means that fluid flows from port P to working port A. Similarly, under
normally closed (NC) conditions, the pressure port is blocked and it is not connected
to the working port. In this case, the fluid is not passing from the pressure port to the
working port.

5.3 Classification of DCV

The directional control valve is classified based on fluid flow path, construction,
switching position, and actuating mechanism. These classifications are mentioned
here. According to the fluid flow path, the DCV is classified as,
• Check valve
• Shuttle valve
• Two-way valve
• Three-way valve
• Four-way valve.
According to construction, DCV is classified as,
• Poppet valve
• Spool valve.
According to position, DCV is classified as,
• Two-position
• Three-position valve.
According to actuation, DCV is classified as,
• Mechanical
• Electrical (Solenoid)
• Hydraulic (pilot)
• Pneumatic.

5.4 Check Valve

The simplest DCV is a check valve. A check valve is a mechanical device that allows
fluid to flow through it in one direction and to oppose the flow in the reverse direction.
It is also known as a non-return valve, one-way valve, clack valve, or reflux valve. It
is a two-way valve as it has two ports. The different parts of a check valve are shown
in Fig. 5.1. The ball, spring, valve seat are the components of a check valve. When
fluid enters the inlet pushes the ball off the seat valve against the small force of the
5.4 Check Valve 215

Seat valve Ball

Spring

Inlet Outlet Free flow No flow

Contruction Symbol

Fig. 5.1 A ball-type check valve and its symbol

spring that continues to flow to the outlet. A very low pressure (around 15 psi) is
required to open the valve in the flow position. In the opposite direction, the pressure
pushes the ball in the off position so that the fluid can not pass in this direction [1].
A poppet check is also used in a fluid power system along with a spring-loaded
ball check valve. For high-pressure applications, a poppet check valve is used. A
poppet is used as a closing member as shown in Fig. 5.2. In a hydraulic circuit, the
pilot lines are used for controlling purposes and these lines are represented by dashed
lines. A certain amount of pressure is required to operate the device. Based on the
pilot line, the check is classified as a pilot-to-open check valve and a pilot-to-close
check valve. The pilot-to-open check valve acts as a standard check valve if there is
no pressure in the pilot line as shown in Fig. 5.3.
When a specific pressure is applied to a pilot line then the pilot-to-open check
permits flow in both directions.
This pilot-to-open check valve is used for locking the hydraulic cylinder from
falling in case of any failure. The pilot-to-close check valve does not allow fluid
flow in either direction when there is a specific pressure in the pilot line as shown
in Fig. 5.4. This type of check valve is less used compared to a pilot-to-open check
valve (Fig. 5.3).

Seat valve Poppet

Spring

Inlet Outlet

Fig. 5.2 A poppet-type check valve

216 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Poppet
Piston
Outlet

Pressure

Pilot line Symbol

Inlet

Fig. 5.3 A pilot-to-open check valve

Poppet
Piston
Outlet

Pilot line

Pressure
Symbol

Inlet

Fig. 5.4 A pilot-to-close check valve

5.5 Shuttle Valve

A shuttle valve is also known as an OR gate or double-check valve because it receives

an input pressure from either port X or Y. The shuttle valve connects a pressure line
(output A) to two alternative pressure sources X (P1) and Y (P2) as inputs. Outlet A
receives flow from an inlet that is at a higher pressure. The pressure is applied to port
X and P1 is higher than P2, then the ball moves to the right which in turn blocks port
Y and port X supplies flow to the outlet port A as shown in Fig. 5.5. Similarly, the
pressure is applied to port Y and P2 is higher than P1, then the ball moves to the left
which in turn blocks port X and port Y supplies flow to the outlet port A as shown
in Fig. 5.6. The symbol of a shuttle valve is shown in Fig. 5.7 [2].

5.6 Two-Way Directional Control Valves

In a two-way directional control valve, the number of ways refers to the number of
connection ports. The different positions of the two-way directional control valves
5.6 Two-Way Directional Control Valves 217

Outlet A P1>P2

Port X
P1 Port Y
P2
Inlet
Inlet

Fig. 5.5 A shuttle valve with port X is at higher pressure

Outlet A P1<P2

Port X Port Y
P1 P2
Inlet
Inlet

Fig. 5.6 A shuttle valve with port Y is at higher pressure

X Y

Fig. 5.7 A symbol of the shuttle valve

along with graphic symbols are shown in Fig. 5.8. Here, pressure port P is connected
to the pump, and auxiliary port A is usually connected to the cylinder. In the top
diagram of the circuit in Fig. 5.8a, the pressure is entering point P. However, the
auxiliary connection port A is blocked by the spool land. This condition is known as
normally closed (NC) as shown in besides graphic symbol. Again, a force is applied
218 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

De-energize A Symbol
A
PB

Close
(a)
P
Spool land Position 1
P
Symbol
Energize A
A
PB

Open

(b) P
Spool Position 2
P

Fig. 5.8 A two-way directional control valve with normally close

NC

Position 2 A Position 1

Fig. 5.9 Two-position two-ways NC spring control DCV

to the spool land that pushes the spring and opens the fluid flow as shown in the
bottom circuit in Fig. 5.8b [3, 4].
This condition is known as normally open (NO) as shown in besides graphic
symbol. The complete graphic symbol of two-way, two positions is shown in
Fig. 5.9. A two-way, two-position normally open directional control valve is shown
in Fig. 5.10. Under normal conditions, the fluid flows from port P to A through the
spool.
When pressing the push button, then the spool land closes the exhaust port.
Therefore, it blocks the fluid flow through it. The complete graphic symbol of a
two-position, two-way normally open (NO) directional control valve is shown in
Fig. 5.11.

5.7 Three-Way Directional Control Valves

A three-way valve either is used to allow or block the fluid flow from the pump port
to an output port. This valve is also used to allow the fluid to flow back to the tank
during the pump flow is blocked. A three-way, two-position normally open spring
5.7 Three-Way Directional Control Valves 219

De-energize Symbol
A
A
PB

Open
(a)
Position 1 P P
Spool land
Energize A Symbol
A
PB

Close

(b) P
Spool Position 2 P

Fig. 5.10 A two-way directional control valve normally open

NO

Position 2 A Position 1

Fig. 5.11 Two-position two-way NO spring control DCV

control directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.12. It has two fluid paths used
alternatively between three ports to direct fluid to and from a single-acting cylinder.
Port A is connected to a cylinder, port P to a source of pressure, and port T is
connected to a tank. Initially, the pressure port is open and fluid flows from port P
to auxiliary port A and the tank T is blocked as can be seen in a symbol as shown

A Symbol
A

(a) T
P T P
A
A

(b)
P T P T

Fig. 5.12 A three-way directional control valve with normally open

220 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.13 Two-position A

three-way NO spring control
DCV

P T

Normal position Symbol

A A

(a)
Actuation position T P P T
A
A

(b)
T P

Fig. 5.14 Two-position three-way NC spring control DCV

in Fig. 5.12a. Again, a force is applied to a push-button switch, then the spool land
pushes the spring which in turn closes the pump port and opens the tank port as can
be seen in a symbol in Fig. 5.12b. The complete graphic symbol is shown in Fig. 5.13.
This type of directional control valve is normally used in a hydraulic circuit to control
the single-acting cylinder.
A three-way, two-position normally closed (NC) spring control directional control
valve is shown in Fig. 5.14. It has two fluid paths used alternatively between three
ports to direct fluid to and from a single-acting cylinder.
In the first diagram of Fig. 5.14a, port A is connected to a cylinder, port P is
connected to a pump and port T is connected to a tank. During retraction, fluid is
coming out from the cylinder and goes to the tank. Again, a force is applied to a
push-button switch, then the spool land pushes the spring which in turn closes the
tank port and opens the pump port as can be seen in a symbol in Fig. 5.14b.
The complete graphic symbol of 3/2 DCV is shown in Fig. 5.15. This type of
directional control valve is normally used in a hydraulic circuit to control the single-
acting cylinder.
5.8 Application of 3/2 NC Directional Control Valve 221

P T

Fig. 5.15 Two-position three-way NC spring control DCV

5.8 Application of 3/2 NC Directional Control Valve

A 3/2 normally closed (NC) directional control valve (DCV) is used to control the
operation of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder. A lever actuation is used to operate
the valve. The fixed displacement pump is run by an electric motor. The reservoir
and the tank are connected with the pump and the tank. The whole circuit is drawn
using Automation Studio software as shown in Fig. 5.16. Then click on the normal
stimulation and activate the DCV by pressing the lever. In this case, fluid will pass
through the line as indicated by the blue arrow as shown in Fig. 5.16, which in turn
extends the piston of the piston. This position of the cylinder is known as extension.
The state of the extension can be changed by pressing the lever. As such, when
the lever of the DCV is pressed, the cylinder piston will be returned to the original

Fig. 5.16 A single-acting cylinder with an extended position

222 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.17 A single-acting cylinder with a retracted position

position and the fluid will return to the tank as indicated by the blue arrow as shown
in Fig. 5.17. This position of the cylinder is known as a retraction of the cylinder.
The pressure relief valve is usually used in a hydraulic circuit to protect the circuit
by allowing an alternate path for the pump flow to go back to the tank when a preset
maximum pressure is reached. This maximum pressure is slightly higher than the
normal operating pressure. The pressure relief valve regulates the circuit pressure
by diverting excess pressure to the tank. The circuit breaker is the analogy of the
pressure relief valve. The circuit breaker operates and controls the electrical circuit
under normal and abnormal conditions.

5.9 Four-Way Directional Control Valve

The four-way valves are used in a hydraulic circuit to control the double-acting
cylinder. The four-way DCV has four connection ports namely P, T, A, and B. The
ports P and T are connected to the pump and the tank, respectively. The auxiliary ports
A and B are connected to the double-acting cylinder. Under the normal operating
condition, port P is connected to port B and port A is connected as shown in Fig. 5.18a.
This connection sequence of this DCV is used during the retraction of a double-acting
cylinder.
When pressing the push-button switch i.e., under energized conditions, the pump
or pressure port P is connected to the auxiliary terminal A and the auxiliary terminal
5.10 Application of Four-Way No Directional Control Valve 223

Normal position B A Symbol

A B

(a)
P T

T P

Actuation position B A
Symbol
F A B

(b)
P T
T P

Fig. 5.18 A four-way directional control valve

Fig. 5.19 Graphic symbol A B

of a four-way NO directional
control valve

P T

B is connected to the tank port as shown in Fig. 5.18b. This position of the DCV
is used to extend the double-acting cylinder. The complete graphical symbol of a
four-way DCV is shown in Fig. 5.19.

5.10 Application of Four-Way No Directional Control Valve

The four-way valves are used in a hydraulic circuit to control the double-acting
cylinder. The four-way DCV has four connection ports namely P, T, A, and B as
shown in Fig. 5.20. The fixed displacement pump is coupled to an electric motor to
generate fluid flow in a system. A pressure relief valve is connected to the output
of a pump to maintain the constant fluid pressure by discharging excess pressure to
the tank. When pressing the lever of a 4/2 DCV, the pressure port is connected to
the input of the cylinder through working port A and the fluid pressure pushes the
piston of the cylinder. The cylinder output port is connected to the tank through the
T port. As a result, the cylinder piston rod is coming out and this position is known
224 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.20 A cylinder with a

4/2 DCV

as the extended position of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 5.21. Again, pulling the
lever by clicking on it, the pressure port is connected to the working port B. The
fluid is entering the output port of the cylinder through the working port B pushes the
piston back to the original position known as the retraction position of the cylinder
as shown in Fig. 5.22.

5.11 Four by Three Closed Center DCV

The four-by-three closed center directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.23. In a
central position, ports P, T, A, and B are not connected that are blocked from each
other. Therefore, the cylinder connected to working ports A and B is hydraulically
locked and can not be separated by any other external forces. As a result, the temper-
ature of the fluid increases. This activity promotes oil oxidation, viscosity drop, and
increased system leakage. The closed center design increases the wear and shortens
the pump life. The closed center valve is suitable for use in a parallel circuit. It is
meant that the fluid flow is diving or splitting into two branches.
5.11 Four by Three Closed Center DCV 225

Fig. 5.21 Extension

position of a cylinder with
4/2 DCV

Fig. 5.22 Retraction

position of a cylinder with
4/2 DCV

In position 1 of a graphical symbol, the cylinder is extended as the pressure port

is connected to the input (cap end). Whereas in position 2, the cylinder is retracted
as the pressure port is connected to the output (rod end).
226 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

B A Symbol
(1) A B (2)

(0)

P T
T P T

Fig. 5.23 A closed center 4/3 DCV

5.12 Application of Four by Three Closed Center DCV

The four-by-three closed center directional control valve along with other necessary
devices are connected as shown in Fig. 5.24. After pressing the lever of the DCV, the
pressure port is connected to working port A and then to the input (cap end) of the
cylinder. The fluid pressure applied forces to the cylinder which in turn extended the
cylinder as shown in Fig. 5.24.
Again, when pressing the lever of the DCV, the pressure port is connected to port
B and then to the output (rod end) of the cylinder. The fluid pressure applied forces
from the rod end side which in turn the cylinder is retracted as shown in Fig. 5.25.
When the cylinder is connected to the center of the DCV, the pump flow passes to the
tank through the pressure relief valve (PRV) as shown in Fig. 5.26. This operation
of the DCV increases the system temperature. This type of operation can be verified
using the hydraulic trainer in a fluid power laboratory.

Fig. 5.24 Extension position of a cylinder with 4/3 NC DCV

5.13 Four by Three Tandem Center DCV 227

Fig. 5.25 Retraction

position of a cylinder with
4/3 NC DCV

Fig. 5.26 Cylinder

connected to the center
position of 4/3 NC DCV

5.13 Four by Three Tandem Center DCV

The four-by-three tandem center directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.27. In a
tandem center position, ports the working ports A and B are blocked, but the pump
port is connected to the tank port. When the cylinder is locked at the neutral position,
the pump motor delivers fluid with a low pressure such as 100 psi to the valve. In this
position, the pump is considered unloaded and consumed less energy when the valve
is not actuated. In a tandem center, the wastage of energy is less compared to the
228 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

B A Symbol
(1) A B (2)

(0)

P T
T P T

Fig. 5.27 A tandem center 4/3 DCV

closed center direction control valve. In addition to that, the tandem center is suitable
for a series connection rather than a parallel connection. In a series connection, the
pressure port of a first tandem center DCV is connected to the second tandem center
DCV and then to the tank. The cutaway along with ports and the graphic symbol is
shown in Fig. 5.27.

5.14 Application of Four by Three Tandem Center DCV

The four-by-three tandem center directional control valve along with other necessary
devices such as fixed displacement pump, motor, and pressure relief valve are shown
in Fig. 5.28. After pressing the lever of the DCV, the pressure port is connected
to the working port A and then to the input (cap end) of the cylinder. The fluid
pressure applied forces to the cylinder which in turn extended the cylinder as shown
in Fig. 5.28.

Fig. 5.28 Cylinder

connected to the leftmost
position of a 4/3 tandem
center DCV
5.14 Application of Four by Three Tandem Center DCV 229

The pump pressure port P is connected to the rod end of the cylinder via the
working port B. As a result, the cylinder is retracted as shown in Fig. 5.29. In
addition to that, when the cylinder is locked to the tandem center, the pump supplies
low-pressure fluid to the tank as shown in Fig. 5.30.
The low-pressure fluid of the first tandem center DCV is connected to the pressure
port of the second DCV as shown in Fig. 5.31. When pressing the lever of the second

Fig. 5.29 Cylinder

connected to the rightmost
position of a 4/3 tandem
center DCV

Fig. 5.30 Cylinder

connected to the center
position of a 4/3 tandem
center DCV
230 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.31 Two cylinders are in series using a 4/3 tandem center DCV

DCV, the second cylinder is extended and the fluid passes to the tank. Similarly, the
second cylinder can also be retracted by pressing the lever.

5.15 Four by Three Open Center DCV

The four-by-three open center directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.32. In an
open center DCV, the four ports P, T, A, and B are connected. When the cylinder is
at the center position, the working ports A and B are internally connected to the tank
port T. As a result, the pump port P is blocked and all the pump flow goes back to
the tank. In addition to that, the cylinder is not locked at the center position which
means it extends as the working ports A and B (low-pressure ports) are connected to
the tank. The graphic symbol of a 4/3 open center directional control valve is shown
in Fig. 5.32.

B A Symbol
(1) A (0) B (2)

P T
T P T

Fig. 5.32 A open center 4/3 DCV

5.17 Four by Three Floating Center DCV 231

Fig. 5.33 Cylinder extended

using a 4/3 open center DCV

5.16 Application of Four by Three Open Center DCV

The four-by-three open center directional control valve along with other neces-
sary devices such as fixed displacement pump, motor, and pressure relief valve are
connected for an application. After pressing the lever of the DCV, the pressure port
is connected to the working port A and then to the input (cap end) of the cylinder.
As a result, the cylinder is extended as shown in Fig. 5.33.
Again, when the lever is pressing, the pressure port P is connected to the rod end
port of the cylinder through the working port B. As a result, the cylinder is retracted as
shown in Fig. 5.34. However, when the cylinder is in the center position, the cylinder
is extended due to low-pressure fluid passing through port A and entering the cap
end of the cylinder that extends slowly as shown in Fig. 5.35.

5.17 Four by Three Floating Center DCV

The four-by-three floating center directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.36. In a
floating center, the working ports A and B are connected to the tank port. However,
the pressure port P is blocked and the working ports A and B are connected to tank
port T so that the cylinder can move freely that is why it is named the floating center.
Since the pump port P is blocked that is why a pressure compensated pump is required
to complete the operation. The pump produces high-pressure fluid that can pass to
the tank through the pressure relief valve and raises the heat in the system which
decreases the efficiency. Therefore, this center type of directional control valve is
used in a special application.
232 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.34 Cylinder retracted

using a 4/3 open center DCV

Fig. 5.35 Cylinder extended

when is at a center position
of a 4/3 open center DCV

5.18 Application of Four by Three Floating Center DCV

The four-by-three floating center directional control valve along with other neces-
sary devices such as fixed displacement pump, motor, and pressure relief valve are
connected for a special application. After pressing the lever of the DCV, the pressure
port is connected to the working port A and then to the input (cap end) of the cylinder.
5.19 Four by Three Regenerative Center DCV 233

B A Symbol
(1) A (0) B (2)

P T
T P T

Fig. 5.36 A floating center 4/3 DCV

Fig. 5.37 Cylinder extended

using a 4/3 floating center
DCV

As a result, the cylinder is extended as shown in Fig. 5.37. Again, when pressing
the lever of the directional control valve, the pressure port P is connected to working
port B and the fluid enters into the cylinder through the rod-end port. As a result, the
cylinder is retracted as shown in Fig. 5.38.
When the cylinder is in the floating center position, the working ports A and B
are connected to tank port T. Since, the working ports A and B are connected to tank
port T, the cylinder can move freely by applying any external forces. Hence, it is
named a floating center as shown in Fig. 5.39.

5.19 Four by Three Regenerative Center DCV

The four-by-three regenerative center directional control valve is shown in Fig. 5.40.
Regenerative means that the flow is generated from the circuit and added or supple-
ment to the input. In a regenerative center, the pressure port P is connected to the
234 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.38 Cylinder retracted

using a 4/3 floating center
DCV

Fig. 5.39 Cylinder is in

mid-position using a 4/3
floating center DCV

working ports A and B, while the tank port is blocked. In a hydraulic circuit, a
regenerative center is used when the cylinder in one direction needs two different
speeds such as fast movement under no-load conditions and slow-motion under load
conditions. The cutaway and the graphic symbol are shown in Fig. 5.40.
5.20 Application of Four by Three Regenerative Center DCV 235

B A Symbol
(1) A (0) B (2)

P T
T P T

Fig. 5.40 A cutaway and graphic symbol of regenerative center 4/3 DCV

5.20 Application of Four by Three Regenerative Center

DCV

The four-by-three regenerative center directional control valve along with other
necessary devices such as fixed displacement pump, motor, and pressure relief valve
are connected for an application in a hydraulic circuit. After pressing the lever of the
DCV, the pressure port is connected to the working port A and then to the input (cap
end) of the cylinder. As a result, the cylinder is extended as shown in Fig. 5.41.
Again, when pressing the lever of the directional control valve, the pressure port
P is connected to working port B and the fluid enters into the cylinder through the
rod-end port. As a result, the cylinder is retracted as shown in Fig. 5.42. However,
when the cylinder is in the mid position, the cylinder is extended faster than the
previous action as shown in Fig. 5.43. Because the return flow supplements the input
of the cylinder instead of sending it to the tank.

Fig. 5.41 Cylinder extended

using a 4/3 regenerative
center DCV
236 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.42 Cylinder retracted

using a 4/3 regenerative
center DCV

Fig. 5.43 Cylinder retracted

using a 4/3 regenerative
center DCV

According to the continuity equation, the speed of the cylinder during extension
can be calculated in the following ways:
For US customary units, the extension speed is calculated as,

231Q
vE = (5.1)
Ap
5.20 Application of Four by Three Regenerative Center DCV 237

For the SI unit, the extension speed is calculated as,

Q
vE = (5.2)
1000 A p

where,
vE is the speed of the cylinder during extension in m/min, in./min,
Ap is the area of the cylinder piston in im2 , in.2 .
When the cylinder is connected to the mid position, the flow coming out from the
rod end is added to the pump flow. As a result, the total flow is expressed as,

Qt = Q + Q R (5.3)

where,
Q is the pump flow,
QR is the fluid flow coming out from the rod end.
Under regenerative mode, the cylinder is extended faster, and in this case, the
speed is expressed as,

231Q t
v E Regen = (5.4)
Ap

Substituting Eq. (5.3) into Eq. (5.4) yields the extension speed in US Customary,

231(Q + Q R )
v E Regen = (5.5)
Ap

The extension speed in metric unit is,

(Q + Q R )
v E Regen = (5.6)
1000 A p

The extension speed in the regenerative mode is higher than the extension speed
is in the normal mode. The rod area is lower than the piston area. Therefore, the
extension speed due to regenerative mode is calculated by considering rod area as,

231Q
v E Regen = (5.7)
AR
Q
v E Regen = (5.8)
1000 A R

The actual area of the rod end is the annular area and it is expressed as,
238 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Aan = A p − A R (5.9)

The expression of fluid flow coming out from the cylinder is expressed as,
 
v E Regen A p − A R
Q Regen = (5.10)
231
 
Q Regen = 1000 × v E Regen A p − A R (5.11)

The force due to regenerative mode is the net force that the cylinder is extended.
It is calculated as the difference between the force applied to the cap end and the
force applied to the rod end,
 
FRegen = p A p − A p − A R = p A R (5.12)

Example 5.1 A cylinder with a bore diameter of 3 in. and the rod diameter of 2 in.
is attached in the mid position of the 4/3 regenerative center DCV. Calculate the
extension speed with and without regenerative modes if the hydraulic circuit uses 15
GPM.

Solution
The value of the piston and rod areas are calculated as,

D2 32
Ap = π =π = 7.07 in.2 (5.13)
4 4

d2 22
AR = π =π = 3.14 in.2 (5.14)
4 4
The normal extension speed is calculated as,

231Q 231 × 15
vE = = = 490.10 in./min (5.15)
Ap 7.07

The regenerative extension speed is calculated as,

231Q 231 × 15
v E Regen = = = 1103.50 in./min (5.16)
AR 3.14

Practice Problem 5.1

A cylinder with a bore diameter of 60 mm and the rod diameter of 30 mm is attached
in the mid position of the 4/3 regenerative center DCV. Calculate the extension speed
with and without regenerative modes if the hydraulic circuit uses 30 LPM.
5.22 Actuation Methods 239

Fig. 5.44 The real and

symbol of a shut-off valve

Real shut-off
valve
Symbol

5.21 Shut-Off Valve

The two-way valves are used either to allow fluid flow or block from the pump to a
hydraulic circuit. A manual shut-off valve is also used to allow or block fluid flow
in a system line. It is often known as a cut-off valve, lock-out valve as shown in
Fig. 5.44. This type of valve is very popular as it is very efficient and cost-effective.
The shut-off valves are used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications
for handling liquid, water, and air. A gate valve is another type of manual shut-off
valve that is used to lower and raise a gate into a hydraulic fluid stream either to
start or stop. However, this type of valve is used at home near the wall to shut off
and on the water supply. There are two types of shut-off valves are available such as
normally closed (NC) and normally open (NO). The normally open shut-off valve is
generally more common than the normally open one. Because the flow of the pipe or
process is usually not interrupted unless it is necessary to be interrupted. However,
the normally closed shut-off valve is especially useful when the subsections of a
piping system are only required for a small amount of time.

5.22 Actuation Methods

The method of moving the valves from one position to another position during an
operation in a fluid power circuit is known as actuation. Four basic types of actuation
are used in fluid power. These are manual, mechanical, solenoid-operated, and pilot-
operated. In manually operated DCVs, the spool is shifted by moving the lever or foot
pedal to activate the DCV. Whereas in mechanically operated, the spool is shifted by
mechanical linkages such as cam and rollers. However, in solenoid-operated DCVs,
an electric coil or a solenoid is energized by an electrical supply. As a result, it creates
a magnetic force that pulls the armature into the coil which in turn pushes the spool of
the valve. Finally, in pilot operation, the DCVs are shifted by applying a pilot signal
either hydraulic or pneumatic against a piston. When the pilot pressure is applied,
it pushes the piston to move in the required direction. The actuation methods are
shown in Fig. 5.45
240 5 Hydraulic Directional Valves

Fig. 5.45 Different

Manual Detent
actuation methods

Push button Solenoid

Lever Internal pilot

External pilot
Foot operated

Lever with spring

Mechanical

Solenoid with spring

Spring return

Exercise Problems
5.1 A cylinder with a bore diameter of 2.5 in. and the rod diameter of 1.5 in. is
attached in the mid position of the 4/3 regenerative center DCV. Calculate the
extension speed with and without regenerative modes if the hydraulic circuit
uses 12 GPM.
5.2 A cylinder with a bore diameter of 55 mm and the rod diameter of 35 mm
is attached in the mid position of the 4/3 regenerative center DCV. Find the
extension speed with and without regenerative modes if the hydraulic circuit
uses 15 LPM.
5.3 A cylinder with a bore diameter of 4.5 in. and the rod diameter of 3.5 in. is
attached in the mid position of the 4/3 regenerative center DCV. Calculate
the maximum extension forces with and without regenerative modes, if the
hydraulic circuit pressure is 1200 psi.

References

1. A. Esposito, Fluid Power with Applications, 7th edn. (Pearson New International Education,
The United States of America, 2014), pp. 1–648
2. F. Don Norvelle, Fluid Power Technology, 1st edn. (Delmar, a Division of Thomson Learning,
The United States of America, 1995), pp. 1–649
3. J.A. Sullivan, Fluid Power-Theory and Applications, 3rd edn. (Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, The
United States of America, 1989), pp. 1–528
4. J.L. Johnson, Introduction to Fluid Power, 1st edn. (Delmar, a Division of Thomson Learning,
The United States of America, 2002), pp. 1–502