Simplified Valve Circuit Guide
Simplified Valve Circuit Guide
Simplified Valve Circuit Guide
EX
OUT
IN
2
12 10
3 1
2
1
12 10 12
2 FLOW CONTROL
METERED-IN
FREE FLOW
3 1 3
1
3 1
10 5
12
14
CYLINDER EXTENDED 2
UT
3 1
10
12
2
A Guide to Understanding Pneumatic
Directional Control Valves
Simplified Valve Circuit Guide
Valves are designed for different applications and a factory may use several different types
of valves with each being suited for a particular job. These designs fall into the following
categories: spool – bonded and lapped; poppet; a combination of spool and poppet; sliding
seal; rotary and diaphragm.
The two types of spool (bonded and lapped) and the poppet are the most common designs
in use. Of these, Norgren makes valves using the packed and bonded spools and the poppet
design.
Bonded spool valves use an elastomer to seal against pressure. Bonded spools allow
practically no leakage, can be used in three-position applications, and the standard valve
goes through a blocked center, which prevents blowby from the exhaust ports when changing
from one flow pattern to another.. Spool valves are tolerant of dirt and compressor varnish
and when lubricated properly, will cycle for millions of operations.
Poppet valves use a large poppet seal and operate much the same way as a home water
faucet. The seal surface moves perpendicular to the valve area and pushes against an
annular ridge for positive sealing. Poppet valves are fast, rugged, and known for their ability to
operate under adverse conditions.
Spool valves are available in 3-way and 4-way configurations. A 3-way spool valve can be
used as a 2-way valve by blocking one port. Poppet valves are made in 2-way, 3-way, and
4-way configurations.
Valve Operation
Two Way Valves
Two-way valves turn air on and off in applications such as shop air, branch airlines, supply
pressure to systems, and supply air to tools, motors and similar equipment. Two-way valves
can also be used as vent valves. N.C. 2-WAY
SYMBOL
UNACTUATED IN OUT
Note: Valve symbols always show the unactuated position in the lower block POSITION
Normally open 2-way valves pass inlet flow when unactuated and block flow when actuated.
N.O. 2-WAY
SYMBOL Normally open valves can be applied to safety applications which require cooling flow, etc.
when actuated. Normally held off cooling flow would come on in event of failure.
ACTUATED
POSITION
UNACTUATED IN OUT
POSITION
Spring Return
Added to valve symbol. The spring returns the valve to its normal, unactuated position.
SPRING
RETURN
SYMBOL
IN OUT
3
2 OUT
IN 1
10
3
2 OUT
IN 1
10
EX
2 OUT
IN
Except: The normally open configuration is not possible with the 3-way 1/8" Nugget
solenoid operated valve. This valve does not have provisions for an external pilot supply EX
2 OUT
which is required for "Normally Open" solenoid operated valves.
IN
IN 2 OUT
N.C. 3-WAY
UNACTUATED
N.C. 3-WAY
ACTUATED
3 EX
1 IN 2 OUT
3 EX COOLING AIR
1 IN 2 OUT
Three-way valves can be used as a remote air pilot for larger valves.
2 OUT
CYL. 1
EX
3 EX
1 IN IN CYL. 2
Power Valve
Panel mounted 3-way control valve
Four-way Valves
Four-way valves use two 3-way valve functions operated at the same time, one normally
closed and one normally open. These valves have two outlet ports that alternate between
being pressurized and exhausted. Four-way valves are used to operate double acting air
cylinders, control bi-directional air motors and in air circuitry. Also two single acting cylinders
can be operated with one 4-way valve.
EX CYL. 1
CYL. 1
EX N
CYL. 2
N
CYL. 2
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
4-WAY
ACTUATED 12
Spool Valves, 4-Way, 5-Port
The 4-way spool valve can be controlled by using two operators, one on each end or by a
spring return and a single operator. The flow path when actuated at the 1 4 end of the valve is
from port 1 to port 4 and from port 2 to port 3. Port 5 is blocked. When the valve is actuated EX 3
from the 1 2 end, the flow path is from port 1 to port 2 and from port 4 to port 5. Port 3 is IN 1 2 OUT
blocked. Each cylinder port has a separate exhaust port.
EX 5 4 OUT
14
Three-way valvue applied to a spring return cylinder
12
12
2
3
2
1
4
3
5 4
14
4-WAY
UNACTUATED 14
4-WAY
ACTUATED
Install the flow control device at the rod end of the cylinder with the free flow arrow toward
the cylinder. When the valve is actuated, pressure is applied to the blank end of the cylinder.
Air being exhausted from the rod end cannot go through the check valve and must flow
through the needle valve of the flow control before being exhausted by the valve. The cylinder
is being extended against a cushion of air that is slowly being bled to atmosphere.
CYL. 1
EX
CYL. 1 IN
EX CYL. 2
FLOW CONTROL
IN METERED-OUT
CYL. 2 FLOW CONTROL IN
METERED-OUT METERED FLOW
4-WAY
UNACTUATED 4-WAY
ACTUATED
CYL. 1
EX
4-WAY
UNACTUATED Speed Control on Cylinder Extension and Retraction—Metered out
Install a flow control at each end of the cylinder with the free flow arrow toward the cylinder.
When the cylinder is extended or retracted, it will be doing so against a cushion of air being
slowly bled to the atmosphere. Extension and retraction speed can be controlled by adjusting
the flow control needle valves.
CYL. 1
EX
N
CYL. 2 FLOW CONTROL
METERED-OUT
4-WAY
When using flow controls, they should be mounted in the cylinder ports or as close to the
UNACTUATED cylinder as possible. Flow controls MUST be mounted between the cylinder and the valve
when using a poppet valve, except for the multi-directional 3-way selector valve (C1012/48)
3
2
1
5 4
FLOW CONTROL
14
METERED-OUT
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
CYLINDER RETRACTED
12
An alternate method of cylinder speed control is to use a
NEEDLE
VALVES
needle valve in one or both exhaust ports of the spool valve.
This method eliminates the need for a check valve in each
3
2 flow control.
1
5 4
14
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
Valve Applications
Air-spring Returned Cylinder (Spool Valve Shown)
A double acting cylinder can be extended using a manual, push-pull 3-way valve and
retracted with a constant bias air pressure. The regulator supplying the bias pressure must be
a relieving type and can be set at 10 to 20 % of the pressure being applied to the blank end of
the cylinder. This circuit can be used with clamping fixtures and anywhere a cylinder can be
retracted at a low
pressure.
12
3
2
1
Ps
10 AIR BIAS
12
3
2
1
VIB. Use of exhaust air
10
12
12
LIMIT
VALVE
3
2
3 ONE SHOT
2 OUTPUT
1
1
10
10
WORK CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
CLAMP
CYLINDER
FLOW CONTROL
3
2
1
5 4
14
SOLENOID
VALVE NO.1
WORK
CYLINDER
CYL. 1
EX
IN
CYL. 2
SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 2
CLAMP EX
CYLINDER
OUT
IN
MANUAL CYLINDER
VALVE
12
3 2
1
Ps
4
5
14
CYLINDER NO. 1
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 1
3
2
3
2 1
1
Ps
CYLINDER NO.2
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 2
*AIR SPRING
RELIEVING
REGULATOR
3
2
3
1 2 1
*Regulator relief flow must be sufficient to accommodate the cylinder speed. Flow controls
will allow variations of cylinder extension speed.
CYLINDER
LIMIT VALVE
ANUAL
VALVE
12
3
2
2 3
1
5 4
14
CYLINDER NO. 2
CYLINDER NO.1
3
2
1
SEQUENCE
VALVE
SPOOL VALVE EX
CYL. 1
IN
CYL. 2
POPPET VALVE
CYLINDER 1
12
3
2
3
2 1
BLEED
1 5 4 SEQUENCE
VALVE CYLINDER 2
14
12
3
2
1
5 4
14
This circuit is not suitable for use with Poppet valves because of crossover
during shifting.
MANUAL
VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
N
CYL. 2 CYL. 1 CYL. 2
TIME DELAY
EX IN
LIMIT VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
IN
CYL. 2
CYL. 1
EX
CYLINDER 2
IN
CYL. 2
12 12
MANUAL 2 4
VALVE 14
12
3 2
2 3
3 5 1
1 5 4 1
14 10
2 2
MANUAL 2 4 2 4
VALVE 14
12 12 14
3
2
3 1 5 3 1 5
Cylinder number 1 extends when the manual valve is actuated, cylinder number 1 retracts
and cylinder number 2 extends. Cylinder number 2 retracts.
CYLINDER NO. 1 3 1
12 10
CYLINDER NO. 2 3 1
12 10
12 2
MANUAL 2 4
1
VALVE 14
3 12 2
2
3
1
3 1 5
10
2 4
12 14
3 1 5
CYLINDER
3
2
1 2 3
5 1
4
14
10
MANUAL CYLINDER
VALVE
LIMIT VALVE
FLOW
CYL. 1 CONTROL NO. 1
EX
NV NO. 2
N
CYL. 2
IN OUT
BLANK END OF
CYLINDER
SOLENOID SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 1 VALVE NO. 2
EX EX
OUT OUT
IN IN
Ps
CYLINDER
SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 1 SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 2
EX EX
OUT OUT
IN IN
4-WAY MANUAL
SPOOL VALVES
CYLINDER
12
12
3
3
1
2
1
5
14 4
5
LOCATION NO. 1 14
LOCATION NO. 2
In the following circuit, two sets of manual valves control the cylinder extension and
retraction from two locations.
2
12 10
CYLINDER
3 1
2
12 10 12
3 1 3
2
1
3 1 4
10 5
12
14
2
3 1
10
12
1 2 3 4
SOLENOID SOLENOID
VALVE NO.1 VALVE NO.1
SOLENOID A SOLENOID B
CYL. 1 CYL. 1
EX EX
2 2
IN 1 3 1 3
IN
CYL. 2 CYL. 2 4 4
SWITCH CONTROL
CYLINDER CYLINDE
-05 TIME DELAY
NORGREN
N.O. 3-WAY -05
POPPET TIME DELAY
VALVE NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
EX
OUT
CYL. 1
IN EX
IN CYL. 2
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12 12
LIMIT VALVE
12 LIMIT VALVE
3
3 2
2 1
1
5 4
2 3
10 14
1 3
10 2 1
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12 LIMIT VALVE
12
12
2
3
1
3 3
2 2 4
5
1
10 1
10
14
TRANSFER 3
VALVE 12 2
1
5 4
14
CONTROL CYLINDER NO. 2
3 VALVE
12
2
1
10
3-WAY 3
2
SHOWN
1
5 4
14
CYLINDER
AIR OIL
12
MANUAL
VALVE 10
2 1
3
2
1
4
5
12
14
Circuit consists of a Norgren 4-way valve with a -23 time delay and a shuttle valve.
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12 TIME DELAY -23
3 CYL. 1
2 EX
1
CYL. 2
IN
10
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYLINDER
-01
MANUAL OR
VALVE -03
12 TIME DELAY NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
3 CYL. 1
2 EX
1
IN CYL. 2
10
CYLINDER
-02
MANUAL OR
VALVE -04
12 TIME DELAY NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
3 CYL. 1
2 EX
1
IN CYL. 2
10
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE -23
12 TIME DELAY NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
3 CYL. 1
2 EX
1
IN CYL. 2
10
CYLINDER
MANUAL 12
VALVE
3
2
1
5 4
14
12
BI-DIRECTIONAL
AIR MOTOR
2
3
1
5
4
14
If a 4-way poppet valve is used, a second valve is required for on-off control of the
air motor.
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 2
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 1 12 2
BI-DIRECTIONAL
AIR MOTOR
CYL. 1
EX
3
2
1 IN CYL. 2
10
POPPET VALVE
The cylinder can be made to float in any position of its travel when the valve is in its
center position.
CYLINDER
12
MANUAL
VALVE
3
2
1
4
5
14