CHAPTER 4: PNEUMATIC VALVE
REVIEW OF PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS
Single acting cylinder - spring return
Double acting cylinder
A B
Click the illustrations to start and stop animation
OBJECTIVES
1. Applying ISO standard, be able to
label correctly the names of 6
popular types of pnematic valves
concerned in the lecture in 5
minutes.
2. Be able to identify the properly
pneumatic valve ports according to
Symbol to ISO 5599 and Symbol to
ISO 1219
3. Be able to choose the appropriate
valves to control the given cylinder
in a appointed particular case.
CONTENTS
1 Introduction
2 Directional control valves
3 Non-return valves
4 Flow control valves
5 Pressure control valves
6 Shut-off valves
7 Combinational valves
1 INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction
2. Valve Operators
3. Valve symbol structure
2 DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE
1. Introduction
2. Valve Operators
3. Valve symbol structure
4. 3/2-way directional control valve
5. 4/2-way directional control valve
6. 5/2-way directional control valve
INTRODUCTION
The basic function of
directional control valve
is to switch air flow to
control the operation of
actuator.
OPERATORS
An operator is
the mechanism
that causes a Push Shrouded Mushroom Twist
Button Button Button
valve to change
state/position
They are
classified as
manual,
Emergency Key Key
mechanical and Switch Stop Released Operated
electrical
One Way Solenoid
Plunger Roller Tip Air Pilot Pilot
OPERATORS
Manual
General manual Lever
Push button Rotary knob
Pull button Pedal
Push/pull button Treadle
OPERATORS
Mechanical
Plunger Pressure
Roller Spring
normally as a
return
Uni-direction
or one way
trip Detent in
3 positions
OPERATORS
Electrical
Solenoid Solenoid pilot
direct with manual
override and
external pilot
Solenoid pilot supply
When no integral
Solenoid pilot or external pilot
with manual override supply is shown it
and integral pilot is assumed to be
supply integral
FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS
Arrows Straight or sloping 2 ports are
path and flow connected
direction, or motion
Tee Closed path or port 1 port
FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS
Ports Symbol to ISO 5599 Symbol to ISO 1219
Supplied ports / Inlet 1 P
Working ports / 2, 4, 6, … A, B, C, …
Outlet
Exhaust ports 3, 5, 7,… R, S, T, …
Pilot signals 12, 14, … X, Y,…
2 A
12 X
1 3 P R
VALVE SYMBOL STRUCTURE
The function of a valve is given by a pair of numerals
separated by a stroke, e.g. 2/2, 3/2, 5/2..
Number of main ports
Number of states/positions
2 (number of blocks)
2/2 – way valve
1
3/2 – way valve
1 3
4 2
5/2 – way valve
5 1 3
VALVE SYMBOL STRUCTURE
The operator for a particular state is illustrated right next
to that state
2
Normal
Operated state/position
state/position
produced by
produced by a
pushing a button
spring
1 3
A 3/2 valve therefore has 3 ports (normally these are inlet, outlet and
exhaust) and 2 states (the normal state and the operated state)
3/2-way valve, actuation by pressing, spring return, normally closed
Match names with valves
a. 2/2 valve
b. 3/2 valve
c. 4/2 valve
d. 4/3 valve
e. 5/2 valve
f. 5/3 valve
Construction of
directional control valves
The constructional Designs are categorised as
principle of a follows:
directional control Poppet valves:
valve is an – Ball seat valve
important factor as
far as the service – Disc seat valve
life, switching time, Slide valves:
type of actuation, – Longitudinal slide valve
connection (spool valve)
methods and size – Longitudinal flat slide valve
are concerned. – Plate slide valve
Poppet valves
The connections are opened
and closed by means of balls,
discs, plates or cones.
The valve seats are usually
sealed simply using flexible
seals. Seat valves have few
parts which are subject to
wear and hence they have a
long service life. They are
insensitive to dirt and are
robust.
The actuating force, however,
is relatively high as it is
necessary to overcome the
force of the built-in reset
spring and the air pressure.
Slide valves
In slide valves, the
individual
connections are
linked together or
closed by means of
spools, flat slide or
plate slide valves.
2/2 – WAY VALVE
2 ports 2 positions
A 2/2 valve is usually
used as a simple on/off
function
Here the valve is in
essence a plunger or
poppet with a seal
acting against a spring
Click the illustrations to start and stop animation
3/2- way directional control valve
1. 3/2-way roller lever valve, internal pilot, normally closed
2. 3/2-way directional control valve with air pressure pilot operation
3. 3/2-way directional control valve, normally closed
4. 3/2-way directional control valve, normally closed with disc seat
principle (poppet valve)
5. 3/2-way directional control valve, normally open
6. 3/2-way directional control valve, seat valve, with air pilot operation
7. 3/2-way directional control valve – spool valve
8. 3/2-way directional control valve, hand slide valve
1. 3/2-way roller lever valve,
internal pilot, normally closed
Piloted valves require only minimal actuating forces. A small hole connects the
pressure connection 1 and the pilot valve. If the roller lever is operated, the pilot
valve opens. Compressed air flows to the diaphragm and actuates the main
valve disc. The first effect is the closing of the path 2 to 3 followed by the
second disc seat opening the airway from 1 to 2.
The return position is effected by means of releasing the roller lever, thereby
closing the pilot valve. The valve is exhausted via the hollow stem. The pilot
piston of the main valve is returned to its initial position via the reset spring.
2. 3/2-way directional control valve
with air pressure pilot operation
To operate the 3/2-way directional control valve with normally closed position
supply compressed air through port Z into the drive piston.
Compressed air being supplied through port P and the return spring hold the valve
disc in sealing position.
The surface of the control piston must be large enough to lift the valve disc from its
sealing position when the same pressure is supplied through ports P and Z.
3. 3/2-way directional control valve,
normally closed
The spring loaded ball shuts
off the flow of conmpressed
air from P to A. Working line
A is connected with the
pusher rod.
When the pusher rod is
actuated, the ball first shuts
off the exhaust port and
then it is lifted off its seat.
In reverse direction the ball
first shuts off pressure line P
before the exhaust port in
the pusher rod is opened to
allow vetilation from A to R,
i.e. ventilation of the valve
does not overlap.
4. 3/2-way directional control valve,
normally closed with disc seat
principle (poppet valve)
A characteristic of these
valves is the disc being held
in sealing position by a
spring. In addition, the valve
disc is being held by
compressed air.
Disc valves offer large valve
opening ereas with short-
distance operations. They are
not sensitive to dirt and are
very durable. The 3/2-way
directional control valve shuts
off P from A in zero position
and air is exhausted from A
to R.
5. 3/2-way directional control valve,
normally open
In idle position the 3/2-way
directional control valve with
normally open position opens
from P to A and shuts off
exhaust valve R.
When the push rod is
pressed the sealing disc
shuts off flow of air from P to
A. The second off its seat by
the shoulders of the push
rod. A exhausts to R.
Used for control of single
acting clamping cylinders.
(NO-function).
6. 3/2-way directional control valve,
seat valve, with air pilot operation
3/2-way directional control
valves are actuated by a
diaphragm. The large
effective surface of the
diaphragm offers the
possibility to operate the
valve with a control
pressure of 120kPa (1.2
bar/17.4psi) against a
working pressure of 600kPa
(6bar/87 psi).
Interchange connections P
and R to operate the valve
in normally open position.
7. 3/2-way directional control valve –
spool valve
The 3/2-way directional
control valve with spring
return of the control spool
can be employed as a
signal element to reverse
air-operated impulse valves
(spool valves)
Unoperated: P closed
A exhausted
to R
Operated: P connected
to A
R closed
8. 3/2-way directional control valve,
hand slide valve
Valves with hand sliding
spool are used as shut-
off (main) valves in
pneumatic devices.
When the outer sleeve is
slided to the left the
closed-circuit type wind
tunnel of the sleeve
connects A with R and
pressure is released.
Describe the way of using valve ports ?
2 B A
12
X Y
1 3 S R
Actuator control P
4/2- way directional control valve
1. 4/2-way directional control valve, air pilot actuated
2. 4/2-way directional control valve, slide valve
3. 4/2-way directional control valve with roller lever and internal pilot
valve
4. 4/2-way valve, disc seat
5. 4/3-way directional control valve, rotary slide valve
1. 4/2-way directional control valve,
air pilot actuated
Pneumatic 4/2-way directional
control valves have two pilot
spools. The bore of the left-hand
control piston connects A with R.
The bore of the right-hand control
piston connects P with B.
To operate the valve admit air
through Port Z to hit the diaphragm
piston.
Release pressure through Z to
return the piston into its initial
position. This is assisted by return
springs. The diaphragms of the
control pistons are lifted past a
dead center and snap into their
basic position.
2. 4/2-way directional control valve,
slide valve
Reversal of the valves with flat
sliding spool is effectecd by acontrol
piston at control connections Z or Y.
An additional flat sliding spool
connects working pipes A and B with
exhaust line R. As the sliding spool
wears it is automatically adjusted by
the pressure of a spring and the
existing air pressure. This
guarantees high durability.
A compression impuls on control port
Y or Z will reverse the valve. The
control piston remains in its present
position when air exhausted from
control pipes.
3. 4/2-way directional control valve with
roller lever and internal pilot valve
In the 4/2-way directional
control valves compressed
air flows through the 3/2-
way directional control pilot
valve and hits two
diaphgrams.
The working power is 1.8
N (180p) at 600 kPa
(6bar/87 psi) working
pressure as it is piloted
3/2-way directional control
valves.
4. 4/2-way valve, disc seat
4/2-way valve, 4/2-way valve,
disc seat, unactuated disc seat, actuated
A disc-seat 4/2-way valve is similar in construction to
the combination of two 3/2-way valves, one valve
normally closed and the other normally open.
5. 4/3-way directional control valve,
rotary slide valve
Directional double disc
valves are usually
supplied with hand or
foot control. Set the lever
in mid position to
exhaust air from all
working pipes. The
piston of a double acting
cylinder connected to
this valves is then in the
so-called floating
position, i.e. it can be
moved by outside power.
5/2- way directional control valve
5/2-way directional control valve,
spool valve, compressed air actuated
In slide valves the control member moves transverse to the direction
of flow of the medium to be controlled. This is characteristic off these
valves.
They can be reversed by all possible operations. Control powers
simply have to overcome the friction of the sliding spool respectively
the control piston in the valve body. Pneumatic spool valves offer the
possobility of switching a higher operating pressure at ports Y and Z
with comparative low working pressure.
Describe the way of using valve ports ?
2 B A
12
X Y
1 3 S R
Actuator control P
5/2-way directional control valve
1.0 1.3
1.1 A B
S R
P
2 2
1.2 1.3
1 3 1 3
5/2-way directional control valve
1.0 1.3 1.4
1.1 A B
1.3 2
S R
P
2
1.4
1 3
2 1 3
1.2
1 3
Seals in spool valves
Sealing between the spool and the valve body is
achieved by precise trueing. The air gap must not be
over 0.002 to 0.004 mm as otherwise leakage will
result.
Expensive trueing can be saved if Orings are used
for sealing. To reduce the danger of damage to
sealing elements through shearing at the inside
connecting ports, a number of small holes have been
arranged around the circumference of the stator
bore.
Faculty Lab Exercise
Your Task:
1. Label correctly the name of the pneumatic valve A, B and C in
the below circuit.
2. Label the valve ports and pilot signals of valve A, B and C
according to Symbol to ISO 5599
3. Choose another type of direction control valve which can control
double acting cylinder and draw out the pneumatic circuit.
_ +
Valve A
Valve B Valve C
2
3 NON-RETURN VALVES
1. Non-return valves, (check valves)
2. Shuttle valve (Logic “OR”)
3. Rapid exhaust valve
1. Non-return valves, (check valves)
As a rule non-return valves, permit flow of air
in one direction only and shut off the opposite
direction. The sealing body of spring loaded
non-return valves lifts off its seat if pressure
imposed on the spring is greater than its
initial stressing force.
2. Shuttle valve (Logic “OR”)
The shuttle valve permits compressed air to flow
from either of the connections X (P1) and Y (P2) to
A. The ball in the valve always shuts off the opposite
connection. Suitable for actuation or control of
pneumatic devices from two positions. (OR-member)
Shuttle valve (Logic “OR”)
1.0
1.6
A
X Y
2 2
1.2 1.4
1 3 1 3
Shuttle valve (Logic “OR”)
3. Rapid exhaust valve
Rapid exhaust valves are used for fast ventilation of
cylinders and pipes. Particularly with cylinders of
great volume the speed of the piston can be
increased multiply.
Rapid exhaust valve
1.0 1.0
A
A 1.2
1.2
P R
P R
2 1.1 A B
1.1
1 3 S R
P
4 FLOW CONTROL VALVE
1. Throttle valve, bi-directional
2. Flow control – check valve
3. Flow control – check valve with roller lever
Throttle valve, bi-directional
srew
srew
Flow control valves influence the volumetric flow of the
compressed air in both directions. The throttle valve is a flow
control valve.
Throttle valves are normally adjustable and the setting can be
locked in position. Throttle valves are used for speed control of
cylinders. Care must be taken that the throttle valve does not
close fully, cutting off air from the system.
2. Flow control – check valve
screw
nominal spring
width
seat
In non-return valves compressed air can only flow in one
direction through a port which can be set by a screw. The
adjustable port permits flow control from 0 up to the nominal
width of the valve. In opposite direction the diaphgram lifts off its
seat and admits free access to compressed air.
Flow control – check valve
1.0 1.0 1.0
1.2 1.2 1.2
2 2
1.1 1.1
1.3
1 3 1 3
(a) (b)
2
1.1
1 3
(c)
3. Flow control – check valve with
roller lever
Non-return valves with roller lever permit change of piston
speed of pneumatic cylinders as a function of the movement
made.
The set screw has been provided for setting the maximum
approved piston speed. Actuate the roller lever to press the
control piston down and thus reduce the flow cross section.
5 PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE
1. Two-pressure valve
2. Pressure Sequence Valve
3. Pressure regulator with relief port
4. Restrictions
1. Two-pressure valve
(Logic “AND”)
Two-pressure valves have two pressure inlet ports X
(P1) and Y (P2).
To obtain and output signal at A1 compressed air
must flow through both inlet ports. This output signal
is required to stop flow of air.
If one of the input signals is delayed it flows to port
Two-pressure valve
(Logic “AND”)
1.0 1.0
1.6 2
A 1.4
X Y
2 2 1 3
1.2 1.4 2
1.2
1 3 1 3
1 3
(a) (b)
Two-pressure valve
(Logic “AND”)
2. Pressure Sequence valve
The principle on which this valve acts is the same as for the
pressure limiting valve. If the pressure exceeds that set on the
spring, the valve opens.
The flow from 1 to 2 is closed. Outlet 2 is opened only if a
preset pressure has built up in pilot line 12. A pilot spool opens
the passage 1 to 2.
Pressure Sequence valve
Pressure
sequence
valves are
installed in
pneumatic
controls
where a
specific
pressure is
required for a
switching
operation
(pressuredep
endent
controls).
3. Pressure regulator with relief port
Reduce high input pressure to a
low output pressure. The output
pressure is adjustable and is
nearly kept constant. This system
provides compensation of
overload.
The set screw permits adjustment
of the initial tension in the
diaphgram spring. The diaphgram
presses against the push rod
which is held in position by a
spring, and lifts off the push rod.
The push rod shuts off the exhaust
port in the diaphgram.
4. Restrictions
Reductions of cross section ereas in pipelines and long
pipelines result in resistance to flow of air and possibly
in considerble loss in pressure.
Each source of loss of this type is a throttle. On the
other hand throttles are installed in pneumatic devices
to obtain a timing behaviour in a control system. In the
latter case precisely defined chockes are used.
6 SHUT – OFF VALVES
1. Shut-off valves, cocks
1. Shut-off valves, cocks
Shut-off valves are used for shutting off
pneumatic devices or pneumatic circuits. Air
may flow in both directions.
3. Which valves can be used to
control single/double acting cylinder ?
4/2 valve
4/3 valve
3/2 valve
5/2 valve
5/3 valve
2/2 valve 4/2 valve 5/2 valve
4/3 valve 5/3 valve
3/2 valve
7 COMBINATIONAL VALVES
1. Time delay valve: normally closed
Combinational Valves
Components of different control groups can be combined into
the body of one unit with the features, characteristics and
construction of a combination of valves. These are referred to
as combinational valves and their symbols represent the
various components that make up the combined unit. The
following units can be defined as combinational valves:
Time delay valves: for the delay of signals
Air control blocks: for the execution of individual and oscillating
movements using double-acting cylinders
5/4-way valve: for the stopping of double-acting cylinders in any position
Air operated 8-way valve: for the control of feed units
Pulse generator: for the execution of rapid cylinder movements
Vacuum generator with ejector: for pick and place applications
Stepper modules: for sequential control tasks
Command memory modules: for startup with signal input conditions
1.Time delay valve: normally closed
The time delay valve is a combined 3/2-way valve, one
way flow control valve and air reservoir. The 3/2-way
valve can be a valve with normal position open or closed.
The delay time is generally 0-30 seconds for both types
of valves.
By using
additional
reservoirs, the
time can be
extended. An
accurate
switch-over
time is assured,
if the air is
clean and the
pressure
relatively
constant.
Time delay valve: normally closed
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OBJECTIVES
Applying ISO standard, be able to label correctly 100% the names of 6
popular types of pnematic valves concerned in the lecture in 5 minutes
with
Test Question: Match names with valves ?
Be able to identify the properly pneumatic valve ports according to given
Symbol to ISO 5599 and Symbol to ISO 1219 with 100% correctly
Test Question: With given pneumatic valves and lecture notes, describe
the way of using valve ports?
Be able to choose the appropriate valves to control the given cylinder in a
appointed particular case with 100% correctly
Test Question: Given a single acting cylinder, a double acting cylinder,
and 6 directional control valves, point out each cylinder with its
controllable valve accordingly, sketch the pneumatic circuit.
3. Which valves can be used to
control single/double acting cylinder ?
4/2 valve
2/2 valve 4/3 valve
3/2 valve 5/2 valve
5/3 valve
2/2 valve 4/2 valve 5/2 valve
4/3 valve 5/3 valve
3/2 valve
FACULTY LAB EXERCISE
Your Task:
1. Label correctly the name of the pneumatic valve A, B and C in
the below circuit.
2. Label the valve ports and pilot signals of valve A, B and C
according to Symbol to ISO 5599
3. Choose another type of direction control valve which can control
double acting cylinder and draw out the pneumatic circuit.
_ +
Valve A
Valve B Valve C
2
