Symbols and Components

Symbols and Components
In this presentation you will:

compare hydraulic components to schematic symbols
Purpose of Hydraulic Symbols

Hydraulic systems often become
complex.
To draw the components and
circuit connections in these
systems would be both time
consuming and complicated.
Standard symbols are used in order
to make the drawing, designing and
understanding of these systems
simpler.
Next >
The diagram shows a simple

hydraulic circuit using standard
hydraulic symbols.
Symbols are used to show:
Circuit connections
Direction of fluid flow
Component function
However, hydraulic symbols do
not show:
Component construction
Port locations
System pressures
Component size
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Example Hydraulic Circuit

An example hydraulic circuit is shown below.
Actuator
Reducing pressure
control valve
Four-way, three-position, center closed,

directional control valve
Main hydraulic line

Fixed displacement
pump
Vented reservoir
Single-ended,
double-acting cylinder
Hydraulic drain line
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Hydraulic Reservoirs
A hydraulic reservoir holds a
supply of hydraulic fluid that is not
under pressure.
When drawing a circuit using a hydraulic

reservoir, the following circuit symbol could
be used.
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Hydraulic Pumps
Hydraulic fluid is pressurised by a
pump. Pumps may be hand operated
or driven by motors. The pump takes
fluid from the reservoir. As the pump
turns, fluid is pressurised and applied
to the hydraulics system.
Fixed displacement
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Accumulators
Accumulators are pressure storage
reservoirs in which hydraulic fluid is
held under pressure by an external
force. The external force could be a
spring, a raised weight, or
compressed gas.
Accumulator symbols are shown here:
Spring loaded
Gas charged
Weighted
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Hoses, Tubing and Fittings

Hydraulic transmission lines are
used to distribute fluid to system
components.
Plastic hoses or pipes are usually
used in low / medium pressure
systems.
Copper or steel tubing is usually
used in high pressure systems.
Hydraulic lines are joined to
components by connectors that
have tapered or regular threads.
Main hydraulic line

or shaft
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Hydraulic Valves
The hydraulics system uses valves to control
fluid flow. Typical types of valves are:
Directional valves: Determine the
direction of fluid flow. Operation can be
manual or automatic.
Flow control valves: Control the rate

of flow, through an opening. Usually
adjustable. May allow full flow in one
direction and restricted flow in the other.
Pressure control valves: Protect
system by setting a maximum
operating pressure.
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The Basic Symbol

The 3-port 2-way valve symbol can
be used to explain how a basic valve
symbol is constructed.
The actuators are the devices or

methods that cause the valve to move
from one position to another.
Left actuator
Valve action
Right actuator
The valve action area refers to the combinations of valve positions (boxes) and flow paths that
the valve has.
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Standard Actuator Symbols

These are examples of standard
actuator symbols.
You may come across pneumatic

diagrams showing two actuator
symbols, side by side. This means that
either actuator (spring or air pilot) can
cause the valve to move.
Palm
operation
Foot
operation
Push-button
operation
Solenoid
operation
Plunger
operation
Spring
return
Lever
operation
Pressure
sensitive /
diaphragm
operation
Air pilot
Air pilot
(Alternate)
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Valve actuator symbols are drawn to the

side of position boxes. The actuator has the
same meaning, whichever side of the valve
it is drawn.
They must be drawn next to the position

box that they are in command of.
For example:
When the spring has control of the valve,
flow is controlled by the left hand position
box.
When the push button has control of the
valve, flow is controlled by the right hand
position box.
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Position Boxes
Each type of valve has at least two
positions, each position providing one or
more flow paths.
For example, the 3-port 2-way valve

provides two positions, one to exhaust air
and one to apply air.
The ANSI symbol for a directional valve is

derived using a series of boxes or
rectangles, one box for each usable position
of the valve.
2 Positions
Most valves have 2 or 3 positions. It is

possible to get valves with 4, 5 or 6
positions.
3 Positions
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Valve Ports
A valve port is represented by an
external line coming from a position
box.
2 port, 2 position valve

Every valve port is shown by the
symbol, but only one position box is
used.

This is the box that represents the flow
paths when the valve is in its normal or off
position.
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Flow Paths
Each position box contains lines that represent the
flow paths through the valve in that position.
A blocked port is shown by a line across the

flow path.
Air flow between two connected ports is shown by a line

drawn between them.
The direction in which air flows is shown by an arrowhead at
the end of the flow path. This is next to the port where the
air comes out.
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Example Circuit
A pneumatic system contains two
push button valves and a doubleacting cylinder.
The piston of the double-acting cylinder

extends when the left push button is
pressed.
The piston retracts when the right push

button is pressed (if the left button has been
released).
The pneumatic circuit is represented with symbols as shown.
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Hydraulic Actuators
An actuator receives fluid power
and changes it into mechanical
motion. Motion may be linear or
reciprocating as produced by a
cylinder, or rotary as produced by
a hydraulic motor.
The symbols used for cylinders
are shown:
Motor
Cylinder
The symbol used for a hydraulic

motor is shown:
Single-acting cylinder
Positive displacement motor
Double-acting
cylinder
Next >

Symbols and Components

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Symbols and Components

In this presentation you will: