Hydraulic and
Pneumatic Systems
Dr. Mohamed Mostafa Abdelaziem
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Types of Control Valves
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
• In hydraulic power systems,
directional control valves are used
to control the direction of the flow.
Therefore, they are used to start or
stop an actuator, to change the
direction of movement or to block
the direction of the flow. Directional
control valves are grouped in terms
if functions and structures. The
figure shows classifications of
directional control valves.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Spool-Type Directional Control
Valves
The directional control valves are
always spool type as shown in the
figure. it consists of a body with
internal passages that are connected or
blocked by a sliding spool. Directional
spool valves are sealed along the
clearance between the moving spool
and the housing. The degree of sealing
depends on the clearance, the viscosity
of the fluid, and the pressure. Because
of this slight leakage, spool type
directional valves can not alone
hydraulically lock the actuator.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
Directional control valves are primarily specified by their number of port connections, possible positions,
and how they are actuated or energized. The number of porting connections is the possible ways or flow
paths. A four-way valve has four ports which usually have the letters as: P, T, A, and B. A three-position
valve is indicated by three connected boxes. There are many ways of actuating or shifting the valve. They
could be push button, hand lever, foot pedal, mechanical, hydraulic pilot, air pilot, solenoid, or spring.
The figure shows a simple symbol of a directional control a four-way, three position directional control
valve with different actuating methods.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
Depending upon the application, the directional control valves could be normally opened or normally
closed. The figure shows an example of a two-position valve. The valve is spring offset, solenoid
operated, two-way valve normally closed.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Direct Acting Directional Control Valves
A direct acting directional control valve may be
either manual or solenoid actuated. Direct
acting indicates that some method of force is
applied directly to the spool, causing the spool
to shift. In our illustration, energizing the
solenoid or coil creates an electromagnetic
force which wants to pull the armature into the
magnetic field. As this occurs, the connected
push pin moves the spool in the same direction
while compressing the return spring. As the
spool valve shifts, port P opens to port A, and
port B opens to port T or tank. This allows the
cylinder to extend. When the coil is de-
energized, the return springs move the spool
back to its center position.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Pilot Operated Directional Control Valves
For control of systems requiring high flows,
pilot operated directional control valves must be
used due to the higher force required to shift the
spool. The top valve, called the pilot valve, is
used to hydraulically shift the bottom valve, or
the main valve. To accomplish this, oil is
directed from either an internal or an external
source to the pilot valve. When we energize the
pilot valve, oil is directed to one side of the main
spool. This will shift the spool, opening pressure
port to the work port and directing return fluid
back to the tank.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves
Central Position
A three-position directional control valve
incorporates a neutral or center position
which designates the circuit as open or
closed, depending on the interconnection of
the P and T ports, and designates the type
of work application depending on the
configuration of the A and B ports. The four
most common types of three-position
valves shown in figure 5.27 are: open type,
closed type, flow type, and tandem type.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves Central Position
▪ Open Center
The open type configuration which is shown in the
figure connects P, T, A, and B together, giving an open
center and work force that drain to the tank. This
configuration is often used in motor circuits to allow
freewheeling in neutral while unloading the pump.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves Central
Position
▪ Closed Center
The closed type configuration is given in the figure.
It blocks P, T, A, and B in neutral, giving us a
closed center. This center type is common in
parallel circuits where we want to stop and hold a
load in mid-cycle.
If used with a fixed displacement pump, the flow
were to be blocked in neutral or when the
directional control valve is centered, it would force
flow over the relief valve. This could possibly
create an excessive amount of heat and would be an
incorrect design.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves Central
Position
▪ Float Type
The float type configuration of figure 5.30 blocks P
while interconnecting A and B ports to T. Because P
is blocked, the circuit becomes closed center. This
center type is commonly used in parallel circuits
where we are free wheeling a hydraulic motor in
neutral while the pump is maintaining the
pressure.
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves Central
Position
▪ Tandem Type
The tandem type configuration in the figure
connects P to T while blocking work ports A and B.
With P and T connected, we have an open center
circuit. This center type is used in connection with a
fixed displacement pump. Because A and B are
blocked, the load can be held in neutral.
(Unloading the pump while keeping the load
fixed)
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves
HYDRAULIC VALVES
➢ Directional Control Valves
➢ Directional Control Valves
