What is a Directional Control Valve and Why Do You Need It?

Directional control valves are used to control the direction and movement of hydraulic fluid through the system. Often referred to as switching valves, they fall into three main categories: hydraulic check valves, directional spool valves, and poppet valves, which constitute different types of control valves.

1. How to use the directional control valve?

Check valves are the simplest and most common directional control valves often used in hydraulic systems. These valves can be used to block fluid flow in one direction while still allowing fluid to flow freely in the opposite direction. These models are also commonly referred to as check valves.

Directional control valve can also perform a range of other roles in hydraulic systems, including: pre-fill valves for anti-cavitation; bypass valves or return filters; reject one-way flow; pre-fill by creating back pressure in the system tensioning; protecting hydraulic components from pressure fluctuations; most check valves are spring loaded and rely on balls or plates to seal off one-way flow. The directional control valve is designed to reliably isolate circuits without risk of leakage. A range of different elements, including poppet valves with soft seals, are also available in these valves to isolate electrical circuits. As one of the leading directional control valve suppliers, ELEPHANT FLUID POWER provides high-quality directional control valves for you.

2. What is a directional control valve?

These types of directional control valves consist of a moving spool located within the valve housing. The driving force then moves the control spool, allowing the passages within the housing to be connected or disconnected. These types of directional control valves have a unique set of features that make them suitable for different conditions, including: their simplicity makes them inexpensive to produce; low actuation force; high switching power; low levels of losses despite continuous leakage oil; extensive control functions for operator convenience; these types of control valves can be direct-operated or pilot-operated. These valves can be connected to solenoids, mechanically controlled by levers and rollers, or controlled by hydraulic or pneumatic systems. ELEPHANT FLUID POWER can provide premium direcitonal control valves for you.

These types of directional control valves are installed in a housing bore with a threaded connection, which is why they are often referred to as cartridge valves. These valves are suitable for operation up to 1000 bar and can incorporate a range of seat elements including balls, poppets and discs. Some of the key features that make these models very useful include: no leakage; long and reliable product life; high maximum operating capacity; very good sealant properties; their design allows these valves to become tighter as operating pressure increases. Their maximum flow is generally limited compared to other types of control valves, making them unsuitable for systems requiring high flow.