Pneumatics and Hydraulics

Input, Control and Processing elements

Dr. Ahmad Al-Mahasneh
Outline
• Valves
Valves
The function of valves is to control the fluid path or the pressure or the flow rate.
Depending on design, these can be divided into the following categories:
1. Directional control valves.
–Input/signaling elements
–Processing elements
–Control elements
–Power elements.
2. Flow control valves.
3. Pressure control valves.
Directional control valves (DCVs)
• Directional control valves are devices which influence the path taken
by an air stream.

• Normally this involves one or all of the following:

1. opening the passage of air
2. and directing it to particular air lines,
3. canceling air signals as required by blocking their passage
4. and/or relieving the air to atmosphere via an exhaust port.
 Configuration and construction of DCVs
The directional control valve is characterized by:
• Construction type (Poppet or slide).
• Over Lapping (with or without overlapping).
• Number of controlled connections or ways (Ports): (1 way, 2 way, 2 ports, 3
ports, …)
• Number of switching positions:(2 positions, 3 positions, …)
• Method of actuation: Direct control (Manual, mechanical and solenoid) or
Indirect Control (piloted control).
• Method of return actuation: (Spring return, air return,…)
• Special features of actuation: (Manually overrides, …)
• Size: (Port size, spool size,…)
• Switching time.
• Service life.
DCVs Construction type
• Poppet valves

• Slide valves
 Poppet valves
With 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.
Characteristics:
• Seat valves have few parts which are subject to wear and
hence they have a long service life.
• Absolutely tight.
• They can switch quickly over short strokes.
• Insensitive to dirt and are robust.
• Need high actuating force (relatively high as it is necessary
to overcome the force of the built-in reset spring and the air
pressure).
• Can be actuated from one side only.
 Slide valves
In slide valves, the individual connections are
linked together or closed by means of spools or
plate slide valves.
Characteristics:
• Easy to produce.
• Compact size.
• Low actuating force required.
• Can be actuated from both sides.
• Long switching strokes.
• Limited tightness.
• Sensitive to dirt.
 Overlapping
• The term overlapping describes the behavior of
the valve during the switch over phase.
• With overlapping if during the switching phase
ports A, P, and R are connected.
• Without overlapping, the connection of P to A
after closing R.
3/2 Directional Control Valve, Manual operated by push button, normally closed, return by spring, slide valve.
Graphical Symbols For Directional Control Valves

• Number of switching positions = Number of squares.

• Number of ports = Number of port marks (main ports only. No
control ports are counted)
• Graphical symbols with additional lines = continuously
adjustable valve.
Home positions

• Normal Position: The normal position on valves with existing reset,

e.g. spring, refers to the switching position assumed by the moving
parts of the valve, if the valve is not connected.
• Initial Position: The initial position is the switching position assumed
by the moving parts of a valve after the valve has been installed in a
system and the system pressure has been switched on and possibly
also the electrical voltage, and with which the designated switching
program starts.
Valve description
1. Number of ports.
2. Number of switching position.
3. Valve type.
4. Type of actuation.
5. Type of return.
6. Type of mid position sealing.
7. Construction type (If you can)
Valve description
Valve description
Valve description
Working lines

Pilot lines
Valve description

Manually operated
Valve description

Mechanically operated
Valve description

Pilot operated
Electrical operated
Valve description
 2/2 Directional Control Valve (On-Off Valve)
The 2/2-way valve has two ports and
two positions (open, closed).
It is rarely used except as an on-off
valve, since its only function is to enable
signal flow through and cannot release
the air to atmosphere once in the closed
position in contrast to the 3/2-way valve.
The 2/2-way valve is normally of the ball
seat construction.
This valve can be operated either
manually, mechanically or pneumatically.
3/2 Directional Control Valve
3/2 Directional Control Valve

The valve shown here is constructed on the disc

seat principle.
The sealing is simple but effective.
The response time is short and a small movement
results in a large cross- sectional area being
available for air flow.
Like the ball seat valves, they are insensitive to dirt
and thus have a long service life.
The 3/2-way valves are used for controls
employing single-acting cylinders or for generating
signals supplied to control elements.
3/2 Directional Control Valve
3/2 Directional Control Valve
 3/2 Directional Control Valve
The construction of the valve is simple. Actuation is effected by
displacing the grip sleeve lengthwise.
This valve is used as a shut-off valve, primarily for the pressurising
and exhausting of control systems or system components.

In the actuated state, connection 1 and 2 are connected and the

valve is switched to flow.
The valve is actuated either manually or mechanically.
The actuation force required is dependent on the supply pressure,
spring force and the friction in the valve.
The actuation force limits the feasible size of the valve. The
construction of the ball seat valve is very simple and compact.
4/2 Directional Control Valve
 4/2 Directional Control Valve
Actuation of the valve: When the two plungers are actuated
simultaneously, 1 to 2 and 4 to 3 are closed by the first movement.
By pressing the valve plungers further against the discs, opposing
the reset spring force, the passages between 1 to 4 and from 2 to 3
are opened.
The valve has a non- overlapping exhaust connection and is returned
to its start position by the spring.
The valves are used for controls employing double-acting cylinders.
There are other actuating methods and types of construction
available for the 4/2-way valve including push button, single air pilot,
double air pilot, roller lever actuated, spool and sliding plate.
In the main, the 4/2- way valve is utilised in similar roles as the 5/2-
way valve.
4/2 Directional Control Valve
4/3 Directional Control Valve
 4/3 Directional Control Valve
In this circuit diagram the lines of the
4/3-way valve are closed in the middle
position.
• This enables the piston rod of a
cylinder to be stopped in any position
over its stroke range, although
intermediate positions of the piston
rod cannot be located with accuracy.
• Owing to the compressibility of air,
another position will be assumed if
the load on the piston rod changes.
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)

•Piloted valves are not actuated directly but they are controlled by a
pressure signal. The main valve is actuated by the pressure of the
medium to be controlled. The purposes of piloted valves are:
• Reduce the actuating force (also with large diameter).
• Minimum pressure necessary.
• Allow the use of smaller solenoid size.
• (Note: the piloted valve has a longer switching time than with
directly actuated valves).
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)
Indirect Control (Piloted Operated)

- Memory Function.
- Impulse Operated.
5/2 Directional control valve
 5/2 Directional control valve

In general the 4/2-way valve is replaced

by the 5/2-way valve.
The 5/2- way valve has advantages in
passage construction and allows the
exhaust of both extension and retraction
air for cylinders to be separately
controlled.
The 5/2-way valve circuit carries out the
same primary control functions as the
4/2-way valve circuit
Solenoid valve
• A very common way to actuate a spool
valve is by using a solenoid, illustrated in
the following figure.
• As shown, when the electric coil (solenoid)
is energized, it creates a magnetic force
that pulls the armature in to the coil. This
cause the armature to push the spool of the
valve.
• Solenoid switching behavior depends on
excitation type.
Solenoid valve
Solenoid Valve Electrical Characteristics

• Operating time for attraction and release.

• Supply: DC or AC.
• Power consumption: hold on power and inrush power.
• Protection methods: against accidental contact, water proof,
pressure proof.
• Duty cycle (%).
DC Solenoid Characteristics

• Slower switching on and off (Self Inductance).

• Cut-out spikes.
• Smooth attraction.
• Safe against overload even with blocked armature.
• Bulkier than AC solenoid.
• Longer life.
• Resistance is equal to the ohmic resistance of the coil.
• Need freewheeling protection circuit.
AC Solenoid Characteristics

• Switching Fast and hard (due to reduced resistance at the moment of

switching on, the reactance net yet having developed).
• High current drain when the armature is blocked.
• Smaller than DC solenoid.
• Eddy current and hysteresis losses.
• Total resistance consists of the ohmic resistance and reactance.
• Cannot be operate by direct current.
• Shorter life time.
• Noisy.
AC Solenoid Characteristics