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Valves - controlling the flow

Date: 13-02-2023

What do valves do?

A hydraulic valve directs the flow of a liquid medium, usually oil, through a hydraulic system. The direction of the oil flow is determined by the position of a spool.  The required size is determined by the maximum flow of the hydraulic system through the valve and the maximum system pressure.

Needle valves

What is a needle valve? This genius creation is commonly used to control flow and protect delicate gauges from damage caused by sudden pressure surges of liquids and gases. They're ideal for systems using lighter and less viscous materials with low flow rates.

Sometimes referred to as plunger valves, needle valves are regulating and enable engineers to finely control and regulate water flow and pressure. They are similar in design and operation to the globe valve. Instead of a disk, a needle valve has a long tapered point at the end of the valve stem.

 

Pressure compensation

What is pressure compensation? Pressure compensation is when a hydraulic component can adjust itself to make up for changes in pressure. It could be a pressure compensated pump which reduces flow when downstream pressure rises too high, or a pressure compensated flow control which increases flow potential when downstream pressure rises.

 Unlike pumps with load sensing hydraulics, pressure compensated pumps only respond to system pressure. When the pressure on a pump rises above a pre-set limit, a pressure compensated pump reduces the system flow. This prevents a pressure overload on the hydraulic system. The pressure compensator is built into the pump at the factory.

 Hydraulic and pneumatic circuits

Hydraulic and pneumatic circuits contain load-holding and control valves; each holds an applied load in place and controls its rate of motion. When they operate as expected, they improve the circuit’s safety and control. These valves are the basic and the first line of load-holding safety—they are staples of circuit design.