Pneumatic Control Valves
Pneumatic Control Valves
Pneumatic Control Valves
The type of valve used is of little importance in a pneumatic control for most part. What is important
is the function that can be initiated with the valves, its mode of actuation and line connection size,
the last named characteristics also determining the flow size of the valve. Valves used in pneumatics
mainly have a control function that is when they act on some process, operation or quantity to be
stopped. A control function requires control energy, it being desirable to achieve the greatest possible
effect with the least effort. The form of control energy will be dictated by the valves mode of
actuation and may be manual, mechanical, electrical hydraulic or pneumatic.
Valve available for pneumatic control can be classified into four principal groups according to their
function:
6.2.1
Directional valves control the way the air passes and are used principally for controlling
commencement, termination and direction of air flow. The different classification scheme of the
pneumatic cylinders are given below
1. Based on construction
i) Poppet or seat valves
- Ball seat valve
- Disc seat valve
- Diaphragm Valves
ii) Sliding spool valves
-
Port markings: As per the ISO 5599, ports are designated using a number system. Earlier, a letter
system was used to designate a port. Table 1.1 gives port markings.
Port
Pressure port
Working port
Working ports
Exhaust port
Exhaust ports
Pilot ports
Pilot ports
Pilot ports
Internal pilot ports
Remarks
Supply port
3/2 DCV
4/2 or 5/2 DCV
3/2 DCV
%/2 DCV
Pilot line (flow 1-2)
Pilot line (flow 1-4)
Pilot line (no flow)
Auxiliary pilot line
Ports and position: DCVs are described by the number of port connections or ways they control.
For example: Two way, three way, four way valves. Table 1 shows the Port markings of DCVs and
Table 1.2 shows commonly used DCVs with old and new designations.
2(A)
Port
Positionn
1(P)
2(A)
(normally closed)
1(P)
3(R)
2(A)
1(P)
3(R)
4(A)
2(B)
1(P)
3(R)
4(A)
2(B)
5(R)
3(S)
1(P)
4(A)
2(B)
5(R)
3(S)
1(P)
(c) Symbol
Response of poppet valve is very fast- short stroke to provide maximum flow opening
ii)
They give larger opening (larger flow) of valves for a small stroke
iii)
The valve seats are usually simple elastic seals so wear is minimum
iv)
They are insensitive to dust and dirt and they are robust, seats are self cleaning
v)
vi)
vii)
They give longer service life: short stroke and few wearing parts give minimum wear and
maximum life capabilities
The actuating force is relatively high, as it is necessary to overcome the force of the built
in reset spring and the air pressure.
ii)
C.Diaphragm valves
The diaphragm between the actuator and valve body hermetically isolates the fluid from the actuator.
The valves are maintenance-free and extremely robust and can be retrofitted with a comprehensive
range of accessories, e.g. electrical position feedback, stroke limitation or manual override. Figure
1.4 shows unactuated and actuated position of diaphragm valves.
a) Unactuated
b) actuated
F
Spool
Figure 1.5 shows schematic diagram of 3/2 spring operated valve. There are three ports common
port, normally open port and normally closed. When the valve is not actuated, there is flow from NO
port to common port. When the valve is actuated there is flow from NC to common port.
(12)
In normal position, the working port (2) is closed to the pressure port (1) and open to the exhaust port
(3). When the compressed air is applied through the pilot port (12), the spool is moved against the
spring. In the actuated position, the working port (2) is open to the pressure port(1) and closed to the
exhaust port(3). Thus, the application of the compressed air to the port 12 causes the pressure port
(1) to be connected to the working port (2).
ii.
iii.
iv.
Feedback signals from sensors can be applied conveniently for the purpose of controlling the
pilot ports of these main valves. This means existing pneumatically actuated control circuits
can be modified easily to incorporate any additional control requirement.
4(A)
2(B)
4(A)
2(B)
1(P)
3(R)
1(P)
3(R)
3
4
4(
2(B
A)
1(P)
3(R
3
2
)
4(A
2(B)
)
1(P)
3(R)
Figure 1.12 below shows 5/2 way valve which uses suspended disk instead of spool. In spool type
valve, spool controls the opening and closing of ports. In this type, suspended disc controls the
opening and closing of ports. This suspended disc can be moved by pilot pressure at port 14 or port
12. When the pilot pressure acts through port 14. The ports 1 - 2 and 4 - 5 are connected and 3 is
blocked. When the air is given to pilot line 12, then 2 - 3 and 4 -1 are connected and 5 is blocked
Advantages
i)
ii)
iii)
Disadvantages
i)
ii)
Expensive
E.Rotary valves
The rotary spool directional control valve (Figure 1.13) has a round core with one or more
passages or recesses in it. The core is mounted within a stationary sleeve. As the core is rotated
within the stationary sleeve, the passages or recesses connect or block the ports in the sleeve. The
ports in the sleeve are connected to the appropriate lines of the fluid system.
Figure 1.15 shows three different position of the core when the handle is rotated. Left most envelope
of DCV connects P to B and A to T. Middle envelope of DCV blocks all ports. Right most envelope
of DCV connects P to A and T to B.
Figure 1.15 Three different positions of 4/3 way rotary spool directional control valve.
Table 1.4 shows schematically the different position of core and sleeve for various middle position of
4/3 way Direction control valve.
Table 1.4 Different position of core and sleeve for various mid position of 4/3 DCV
manually actuated
mechanically actuated
pneumatically actuated
electrical
combined actuation
The symbols of the methods of actuation are detailed in DIN ISO 1219. When applied to a
directional control valve, consideration must be given to the method of initial actuation of the valve
and also the method of return actuation. Normally these are two separate methods. They are both
shown on the symbol on either side of the position boxes. There may also be additional methods of
actuation such as manual overrides, which are separately indicated.
Type of control
Manual
General
Pushbutton
Foot pedal
Mechanical
Spring return
Spring centered
Symbol
Roller operated
Idle roller
Pneumatic
Direct
Electrical
Single solenoid
Double solenoid
Combined
Double solenoid
operated
with
pilot
Check valve
ii)
Shuttle valve
iii)
iv)
v)
A. Check valve
The simplest type of non-return valve is the check valve (Figure 1.35 (a)) , which completely
blocks air flow in one direction while permitting flow in the opposite direction with minimum
pressure loss across the valve. As soon as the inlet pressure in the direction of free flow develops
a force greater than that of the internal spring, the check is lifted clear of the valve seat. The
check in such valve may be plug, ball, plate or diaphragm.
B. Shuttle valve
It is also known as a double control valve or double check valve. A shuttle valve has two inlets and
one outlet. At any one time, flow is shut off in the direction of whichever inlet is unloaded and is
open from the loaded inlet to the outlet (Figure 1.36). A shuttle valve may be installed, for example,
when a power unit (cylinder) or control unit (valve) is to be actuated from two points, which may be
remote from one other.
Forward Motion: During forward movement of piston, compressed air is directly admitted behind
the piston through ports 1 and 2 Port 3 is closed due to the supply pressure acting on the diaphragm.
Port 3 is usually provided with a silencer to minimise the noise due to exhaust.
Return Motion: During return movement of piston, exhaust air from cylinder is directly exhausted
to atmosphere through opening 3 (usually larger and fitted with silencer) .Port 2 is sealed by the
diaphragm. Thus exhaust air is not required to pass through long and narrow passages in the working
line and final control valve
Typical applications of quick exhaust valves for single acting and double acting cylinders are shown
in Figure 1.39
2
1
2
1
Quick
return
valve
3
3
1
This valve is the pneumatic AND valve. It is also derivate of Non Return Valve. A two pressure
valve requires two pressurised inputs to allow an output from itself. The cross sectional views of two
pressure valve in two positions are given in Figure 1.40 As shown in the figure, this valve has two
inputs 12 and 14 and one output 2. If the compressed air is applied to either 12 or input 14, the spool
moves to block the flow, and no signal appears at output 2. If signals are applied to both the inputs
12 and 14, the compressed air flows through the valve, and the signal appears at output 2.
No output
No output
8. Environmental or fluid conditions that could be incompatible with materials used in the
regulator.
9. Special features such as high relief or remote control.
10. The consequences of a regulator malfunction or failure: A damper or relief valve might be
needed to protect personnel or equipment. Also, dead-end service or intermittent actuation
may require positive valve shutoff, bleed units, or close control of pressure-relief points.
Filters, lubricators, relief devices, and other system options should be considered in the
selection process.
On resetting valves, for example those equipped with a return spring, the -----position is the
position assumed by the moving parts of the valve when it is connected but not actuated.
3.
Direct control of a valve means that valve is caused to operate directly by actuating element
2. Quick exhaust valves are designed to decrease the position speed in the cylinder
3 spring force set on a pressure limiting valve or sequence valve corresponding to minimum
permissible or minimum desired pressure of the controlled fluid.
4. Ball seat valves ensure perfect sealing at all times in pneumatic circuit
5. Two way valves are used where a pure straightway function is required, that is when downstream
equipment does not need exhausting to the atmosphere via this valve.
6. The pressure sequence valve holds the working pressure largely constant.
7. Two pressure valve is the pneumatic OR valve
Answers
Fill in the Blanks
1. direction
2. neutral
3. intermediate
4. Non return valves
5. higher
6. Shorter
7. atmosphere.
8.few
9. pilot
10. core/sleeve
11. Needle
12 Out