Fluid Mechanics-II

Teacher/Instructor: Engr. Muhammad Sumair

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (UET Lahore 2014-2018)

M.Sc. Thermal Power Engineering (UET Lahore 2018-2020)
Control Components in Hydraulic Systems
• One of the most important considerations in any fluid power system is
control. If control components are not properly selected, the entire
system will not function as required. Fluid power is controlled
primarily using control devices called valves. There are three basic
types of control devices: (1) directional control valves, (2) pressure
control valves, and (3) flow control valves.
• Directional Control Valves (DCVs) determine the path through
which a fluid traverses within a given circuit. For example, they
establish the direction of motion of a hydraulic cylinder or motor. This
control of the fluid path is accomplished primarily by check valves,
two-way, three-way, and four-way directional control valves.
 Control Components in Hydraulic Systems
(Cont’d)
• Pressure Control Valves (PCVs) protect the system against
overpressure. For example, in applications where precise control of
hydraulic cylinder or motor speed is required, pressure reducing valves
ensure that the pressure supplied to the actuator remains within
specified limits.
• Flow Control Valves (FCVs) are essential components in hydraulic
systems that regulate the speed or flow rate of hydraulic fluid through
a specific section of the system. These valves are crucial for
controlling the movement of hydraulic actuators, and ensuring the
efficiency of various hydraulic applications. In hydraulic systems with
cylinders, flow control valves regulate the speed of cylinder extension
and retraction. Similarly, Flow control valves are used to regulate the
speed of hydraulic motors.
 Directional Control Valves (DCVs)
• As the name implies, DCVs are used to control the direction of flow in
a hydraulic circuit. The simplest type is a check valve (Fig. 1), which
is also called non-return valve or one-way valve because it permits
free flow in one direction and prevents any flow in the opposite
direction.
• Fig. 2 shows the internal operation of a check valve. As shown, a light
spring holds the poppet in the closed position. In the free-flow
direction, the fluid pressure overcomes the spring force at about 5 psi.
If flow is attempted in the opposite direction, the fluid pressure pushes
the poppet (along with the spring force) in the closed position.
Therefore, no flow is permitted. The higher the pressure, the greater
will be the force pushing the poppet against its seat.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• Thus, increased pressure will not result in any tendency to allow flow
in the no-flow direction.

Figure 1: A Typical Check Valve

Figure 2: Operation of
Check Valve
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• Figure 3 shows the free flow direction implied when using the
symbolic representation of a check valve. This symbol, which clearly
shows the function of a check valve, will be used when drawing
hydraulic circuits. Note that a check valve is analogous to a diode in
electric circuits.

Figure 3: Symbol for a check valve with

its free-flow direction defined.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• Additional types of DCVs are the 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, and 4/3 valves used to direct
inlet flow to either of two outlet ports. This first digit indicates the number
of ports, and the second digit indicates the number of positions. Ports are
shown through alphabets. Various symbols used for the ports are P (for
pressure port), T or R (Tank port or Return port to the reservoir), A and B
(the working ports or the cylinder ports). As an example, see the Fig. 5.
• Hydraulic DCVs use a sliding spool to change the path of flow through the
valve. For a given position of the spool, a unique flow path configuration
exists within the valve. DCVs are designed to operate with either two
positions of the spool or three positions of the spool. The flow path
configuration for each unique spool position is shown symbolically by a
rectangle, sometimes called an envelope.
 DCVs (Cont’d)

Figure 5: Two-way and four-way directional control

valves
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• 2/2 DCV: According to the nomenclature discussed earlier, this valve
has two ports (P and A) and two positions, as shown below:

Figure 6: 2/2 DCV

 DCVs (Cont’d)
1) Position 1 (P to A): In this position, the spool is located in the valve
such that the port P and A are get connected and oil can easily flow from
P A. This position starts the oil supply to the system.
2) Position 2 (P not connect A): In this position of D.C. valve, the
spool is shifted toward left envelop so that the port P get closed and port
P and A get disconnected. The oil will not flow from P to A. This
position stops the oil supply to the system.
• 3/2 DCV: According to the nomenclature discussed earlier, this valve
has three ports (P, A and R) and two positions, as shown next:
 DCVs (Cont’d)

Figure 7: 3/2 DCV

1)Position 1:In this position, the port P and port A is get connected and
R port is closed. It will supply the oil to the actuator while flow to the
tank port is blocked.
2)Position 2: When spool is shifted, it will block the port P of the pump
to stop the supply of pressurized oil to the system. The port A and port R
get connected so that oil will drain to the reservoir.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• 4/2 DCV: According to the nomenclature discussed earlier, this valve
has four ports (P, A, B, and R) and two positions, as shown below:

Figure 8: 4/2 DCV

 DCVs (Cont’d)
1)Position 1: In this position of D.C. Valve, the spool is placed such
that the pump port P get connected to the port A of actuator and port B
of actuator is connected to the reservoir port R to drain out the oil
2)Position 2: In this position, the spool is shifted with the help of push
button and spring. Now the port P is connected port B of actuator and
port A of actuator is connected to the reservoir port R to drain out the
oil.
• This valve is typically used to operate double acting hydraulic cylinder
or bi-directional hydraulic motor.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• 4/3 DCV: According to the nomenclature discussed earlier, this valve
has four ports (P, A, B, and R) and three positions as shown below:

Figure 9: 4/3 DCV

 DCVs (Cont’d)
1)Position 1: It is similar to 4/2 D.C. valve. It connects P to A, B to R
2)Position 2: It is normal position shown in fig. In this position, the
spool is shifted such that port P is closed and oil will not flow from it to
the port A or port B. Similarly, there is no oil path from port A or B to
the reservoir port. It means that all ports of the valves are closed or
blocked off. This position called as closed centre position. There are
different types of mid positions as explained next.
3)Position 3: It is similar to 4/2 D.C Valve in which connections are A
to R, P to B
• It is used to actuate double acting cylinder/Bi-directional hydraulic
motor with intermediate stoppage of the cylinder or motor.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
Types of Central (Mid) Position: In 4/3 DCV, there are three positions
and 1st and 3rd are same as for 4/2 DCV/ However, there is an additional
mis position in 4/3 DCV. This mis position can have different
possibilities which are discussed next:
1) Open Center: This means that all four ports are interconnected
(often used in hydraulic motors) with each other as shown below:
 DCVs (Cont’d)
2) Closed Center: This means that all four ports are blocked.

3) Tandem Center: In this position, P and T (R) ports are connected but
actuator is blocked i.e. no supply to A and B ports.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
4) Regenerative Center: This means that port P is connected to both A
and B but T (R) is blocked.

3) Float Center: In this position, P is blocked, and A & B are connected

to T (R) port. It is used to drain out the actuator.
 DCVs (Cont’d)
• A Typical Hydraulic Circuit with 4/3 DCV:
Thanks for Listening