Hydraulic Principal

1- Prime mover
1-Prime mover

Directional Control Valves

2- Pump
3- Valve

Controlling the System

4- Actuator

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Objectives

Hydraulic Valves types

Learning Objectives:
The purpose of this chapter is to describe:
1. Describe construction and configuration of directional control valves
2. Understand operation of directional control valves.
3. Types of DCV (Check valves, shuttle valves and sliding spool valves)
4. Applications of directional control valves.
5. Center positions in three-position, four-way valves.
6. List and compare the methods used to position control spools in
valves
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
Explain the operation of the various types of directional control valves.
Understand position, way and center position of a sliding spool
valve.
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

Control valves allow hydraulic systems to produce the

type of motion or level of force needed to complete the
functions expected of a hydraulic circuit
The three basic types of control valves are:
1- Directional Control Valves
2- Pressure Control Valves
3- Flow Control Valves
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

1- Rotary spool DCVs

Directional Control Valves

Directional Control Valves (DCVs) are designed to;

4/3 DCV with rotary spool

A

1. Control the direction of flow, or

2. Divert flow from one location to another, or
3. Stop flow (Shut-off)

P-B
A-T
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Session 7

Valve construction
Moving element
Poppet
Sliding Spool

Drehschieberbauweise
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

B T

Middel position
All ports are blocked

P-A
B-T

Session 7

2- Sliding spool DCVs

Moving element is a cylindrical metal piece fitted into the

bore of a valve body

Rotary spool

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

Available in most functions 3/2,

3/3, 5/2, 5/3, etc.
The spool is used to block or
direct fluid through a valve to
produce a desired fluid flow
characteristics.
A spool has a number of major
and minor diameters called lands
and valleys (Groove)
The lands seal with the valve
bore/sleeve
The valleys connect valve ports
to control flow direction
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

3- Poppet valve

Classification of DVCs

Pilot signal

Poppet 2/2 DCV

It has good sealing
characteristics
A poppet seal has a butt
action against a raised
edged aperture

1- One way DCVs

12

Check valve
Ball type
Poppet type

Logic OR valve
Logic AND valve

2- Multi ways DCVs

1

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

3- Poppet valve
The Poppet valve is a simple
and effective design used
mainly in 2/2 and 3/2 functions
Often be the choice for a
supply shut off valve

2/2 DCVs
3/2 DCVs
4/3 DCVs
..

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

11

One way DCVs - Check Valve

Pilot signal

Check Valve - Ball type

A check valve allows flow in one direction, but blocks flow in the
opposite direction.

12

body

ball
1

Inlet
P1

Valve seat

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Outlet
P2

outlet P 2

inlet P 1
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Session 7

One way DCVs - Check Valve -

One way DCVs Pilot operated check valve

Pilot-operated check valve

Check Valve Poppet type

It permits free flow in one direction, but

permits flow in the opposite only if pilot
pressure is applied at the port K of the valve.

outlet P 2

inlet P 1

pilot pressure
port K

(b)

P2

Inlet
P1

bias spring
inlet P 1
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

outlet P 2

P1

Outlet
P2
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Session 7

One way DCVs - Check Valve -

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

One way DCVs Pilot operated check valve

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

One way DCVs Pilot operated check valve

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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One way DCVs Pilot operated check valve

Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

One way DCVs Pilot operated check valve

Session 7

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One way DCVs - Shuttle Valve

Logic OR Shuttle valve
A shuttle valve allows two alternate flow sources to be
connected to one branch circuit
An fluid signal given to either the left hand port 1 or the right
hand port 1 will result in an output at port 2
body

ball

P
A

(a)
P

(b)

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

P
(c)

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

1
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1
Session 7

Shuttle Valve
Logic OR" Valve

Multi-ways DCVs
Sliding Spool Valves
Position: a unique flow path configuration
exists within the valve.
Way: The number of ways refers to the
number of ports in the valve.

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Shuttle Valve
Logic "AND" Valve

Session 7

23

Multi-way DCVs
Sliding Spool Valves
Most directional control
valves use a sliding spool
to change the path of flow
through the valve.

4/3 DCV
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Two-way DCVs

Three-way DCVs

Two-way directional control valves

Three-way directional control valves

Two-way directional control valves usually used to pervert flow

until actuated action given

spring

valve body spool land

spool land spool valve body

spool

Normal closed
P-closed
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Normal position

Valve actuated
P-A

25

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Two-way DCVs

Session 7

27

Application of three-way
valve

Tank

2/2 Valve

Hydraulic Jack/Elevator
26

P-A
T-closed

Three-way DCVs

Application of two-way valve

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Valve actuated

P T

A-T
P-closed
Session 7

A
(b)

(a)

Session 7

Three-way directional control

valves usually used to extend
rams and single-acting
cylinders
The actuator is returned to its
original position by an
external force (System
load/weight - Spring built
into the actuator)
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

3/2 Valve

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Session 7

Four-way DCVs

The three positions of (4/3) DCVs

Four-way, two-positions directional control valves

Four-way, three-positions directional control valves

Four-way DCVs can be used to control motion of double acting

cylinder in both direction
spring

spool land

spool

A T

valve body

AB

A T

(b)

(a)

Normal position
P-B
T-A

P T
(c)

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

P T
AB

P T

P-A
B-T

P T
Session 7

Four-way DCVs

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

The three positions of (4/3) DCVs

Application of four-way
three position valve

Four-way directional control

valves usually used to extend
double-acting cylinders in
both extending and retracting
strokes.
The actuator is returned to its
original position by an
reversing the directional of
flow via DCV

Four-way directional control

valves usually used to extend
and retract double-acting
cylinders in both extending
and retracting strokes.
The center position plays an
important role in this type

4/2 Valve

30

P T

T
31

Application of four-way
two position valve

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

AB

AB

Valve actuated

29

AB

Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Center positions of (4/3) DCVs

AB

AB

T(T1) A P
o pen center

P T

B T(T2)

P T

B T(T2)
T(T1) A P
pressure closed;A & B open to tank

AB

AB

B T(T2)
T(T1) A P
P T
pressure andB closed; A open to tank

B T(T2)
T(T1) A P
P T
B closed; pressure open to tank through A

AB

AB

P T

B T(T2)
T(T1) A P
closed center--all ports closed

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

P T

T(T1) A P
tandem

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Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Tandem-center 4/3 DCVs

The open-center type connects all ports together.

The pump flow can return directly back to the tank at essentially
tank pressure, little horsepower is consumed.
The actuator can be moved freely by applying an external force.

34

The closed-center design has all ports blocked.

The pump flow can be used for other circuit.
The actuator is hydraulically locked. This means it cannot be
moved by the application of an external force.

B T(T2)

Open center 4/3 DCVs

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Closed-center 4/3 DCVs

Session 7

The tandem design also results in a locked actuator.

It also unloads the pump at essentially tank pressure.

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Actuation of DCVs

(A, B) connected to P & T closed

Connecting the pump pressure to two actuators operating with the
same pressure. Where (A, B) connected to pump & tank port
closed

Springs and pilot pressure are typical internal forces used to

operate valve elements

Manual, pilot pressure, and electromagnetic force are common

external forces used for operation

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

Session 7

39

Center position
configuration of 4/3DCV

Actuation of DCVs
A B

1- Manually-actuated valve

K1

A B

2- Mechanically-actuated valve

K2

K1

4- Electric-actuated valve

3- Pilot-actuated valve
Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Session 7

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

T1
A B

P T

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Session 7

10

Features of Control Valves

Precision fit, rather than separate seals, is used to prevent excessive
internal leakage in most hydraulic control valves
Internal leakage must be drained from valve chambers
Fluid buildup causes backpressure
Backpressure prevents the proper operation of internal valve
elements

Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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Dr. Mohamed Saber Sokar

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