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Simp Valves Guide
Simp Valves Guide
Simp Valves Guide
CIRCUIT GUIDE
A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING PNEUMATIC
DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVES
SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 2
EX
12
10
OUT
IN
1
2
12
10
12
2 FLOW CONTROL
METERED-IN
FREE FLOW
10
12
14
2
3
1
10
12
CYLINDER EXTENDED
OUT
Z-200
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
ACTUATED
POSITION
Z-201
UNACTUATED IN
POSITION
OUT
N.O. 2-WAY
SYMBOL
ACTUATED
POSITION
UNACTUATED IN
POSITION
OUT
Normally open 2-way valves pass inlet flow when unactuated and block flow when actuated.
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.
Spring Return
Added to valve symbol. The spring returns the valve to its normal, unactuated position.
SPRING
RETURN
SYMBOL
N.C. 2-WAY
SYMBOL
SIMPLIFIED
AIR PILOT
SYMBOL
Air Operator
IN
OUT
Simplified air operator added to the valve symbol. When the valve is actuated, the flow path
shown in the upper block replaces the flow path in the lower block.
12
3-WAY
USED AS
N.C.
2-WAY
3
2 OUT
IN 1
10
12
3-WAY
USED AS
N.O.
2-WAY
3
2 OUT
IN 1
10
Z-202
Three-way Valves
Three-way valves are the same as 2-way valves with the addition of a third port for exhausting
downstream air. Three-way valves are available in a normally open or normally closed operating
configurations. These valves are used to control single acting or spring return cylinders and any
load which must be pressurized and alternately exhausted. These valves can also pilot other air
operated valves.
N.C. 3-WAY
SYMBOL
EX
2 OUT
IN
N.O. 3-WAY
SYMBOL
EX
2 OUT
IN
3 EX
SPRING RETURNED CYL.
IN RETURNED POSTION
CYLINDER EXTENDED
2 OUT
1 IN
3 EX
1 IN
2 OUT
N.C. 3-WAY
ACTUATED
N.C. 3-WAY
UNACTUATED
Z-203
3 EX
2 OUT
1 IN
COOLING AIR
3 EX
2 OUT
1 IN
Three-way valves can be used as a remote air pilot for larger valves.
2 OUT
CYL. 1
EX
3 EX
IN
1 IN
CYL. 2
Power 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. 2
The flow paths for an unactuated valve are inlet to cylinder 2 and cylinder 1 to exhaust. When
actuated, the inlet is connected to cylinder 1 and cylinder 2 is connected to exhaust. Four-way
poppet valves have one exhaust port which is shared by all cylinder ports.
Z-204
CYL. 1
EX
IN
CYL. 2
CYL. 1
EX
N
CYL. 2
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
4-WAY
ACTUATED
12
EX 3
IN 1
2 OUT
EX 5
4 OUT
14
CYLINDER RETRACTED
12
12
2
3
1
4
3
5
4
14
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
14
4-WAY
ACTUATED
CYL. 1
EX
EX
IN
IN
CYL. 1
CYL. 2
CYL. 2
FLOW CONTROL
METERED-OUT
FLOW CONTROL
METERED-OUT
IN
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
METERED FLOW
4-WAY
ACTUATED
Z-205
CYL. 1
EX
IN
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
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
CYL. 2
FLOW CONTROL
METERED-OUT
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
When using flow controls, they should be mounted in the cylinder ports or as close to the 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).
CYLINDER RETRACTED
12
When flow controls are used with spool valves, the connections
and location can be the same as when used with poppet valves.
1
5
4
14
FLOW CONTROL
METERED-OUT
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
CYLINDER RETRACTED
12
NEEDLE
VALVES
3
1
5
4
14
4-WAY
UNACTUATED
Z-206
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
Ps
AIR BIAS
10
3
2
VIB.
1
10
12
12
LIMIT
VALVE
3
2
2
1
10
10
Z-207
ONE SHOT
OUTPUT
WORK CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
CLAMP
CYLINDER
FLOW CONTROL
1
5
4
14
EX
IN
CYL. 1
CYL. 2
SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 2
EX
CLAMP
CYLINDER
OUT
IN
Z-208
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
3
1
Ps
14
CYLINDER NO. 1
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 1
3
2
3
2
1
Ps
CYLINDER NO.2
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 2
*AIR SPRING
RELIEVING
REGULATOR
3
3
1
Z-209
CYLINDER
LIMIT VALVE
MANUAL
VALVE
12
1
5
3
1
4
14
CYLINDER NO. 2
CYLINDER NO.1
1
SEQUENCE
VALVE
SPOOL VALVE
IN
EX
CYL. 1
CYL. 2
POPPET VALVE
Z-210
CYLINDER 1
12
3
3
BLEED
5
14
4 SEQUENCE
VALVE
CYLINDER 2
12
1
5
4
14
This circuit is not suitable for use with Poppet valves because of crossover
during shifting.
EX
N
CYLINDER NO. 2
CYL. 1
CYL. 2
TIME DELAY
CYL. 1
EX
Z-211
CYL. 2
IN
MANUAL
VALVE
CYLINDER 1
LIMIT VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
IN
CYL. 2
CYL. 1
EX
CYLINDER 2
IN
CYL. 2
CYLINDER NO.2
CYLINDER NO. 1
LIMIT VALVE
LIMIT VALVE
12
MANUAL
VALVE
12
12
4
14
3
1
5
14
10
Z-212
CYLINDER NO. 1
12
CYLINDER NO.2
10
12
10
MANUAL
VALVE
12
2
14
4
14
12
CYLINDER NO. 1
12
10
3
CYLINDER NO. 2
12
10
2
2
12
2
MANUAL
VALVE
12
14
1
3
10
2
4
14
12
Z-213
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
LIMIT VALVE
12
12
2
5
14
4
10
CYLINDER
LIMIT VALVE
EX
N
CYL. 1
FLOW
CONTROL NO. 1
NV NO. 2
CYL. 2
IN
Z-214
OUT
BLANK END OF
CYLINDER
SOLENOID
VALVE NO. 1
SOLENOID
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
Z-215
4-WAY MANUAL
SPOOL VALVES
CYLINDER
12
12
3
3
1
5
14
LOCATION NO. 1
4
14
LOCATION NO. 2
In the following circuit, two sets of manual valves control the cylinder extension and retraction
from two locations.
12
10
CYLINDER
1
2
12
10
12
1
10
4
5
12
14
2
3
1
10
12
Z-216
SOLENOID
VALVE NO.1
IN
SOLENOID
VALVE NO.1
SOLENOID A
EX
CYL. 1
CYL. 2
EX
IN
SOLENOID B
CYL. 1
1
CYL. 2
3
4
SWITCH CONTROL
CYLINDE
-05
CYLINDER
-05
TIME DELAY
NORGREN
N.O. 3-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
TIME DELAY
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
EX
IN
OUT
IN
Z-217
CYL. 2
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
12
LIMIT VALVE
12
3
LIMIT VALVE
1
5
10
14
3
2
10
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
LIMIT VALVE
12
12
2
3
1
1
10
1
10
14
Z-218
TRANSFER
VALVE
CYLINDER NO. 1
12
3
12
1
5
CONTROL
VALVE
4
14
CYLINDER NO. 2
12
1
10
3
3-WAY
SHOWN
1
5
4
14
Cylinder Feed Rate Control with Positive Lock in any Cylinder Position
(Spool Valves Shown) (Air Over Oil Cylinder)
This circuit provides a constant cylinder feed rate for both directions of travel. In addition, the cylinder
will lock in position when the manual valve is centered. Air provides the force to move the cylinder; oil,
with its feature of non-compressibility, is used to give smooth cylinder motion.
CYLINDER
OIL
AIR
12
MANUAL
VALVE
10
2
3
2
1
5
12
14
Z-219
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
TIME DELAY
-23
CYL. 1
EX
1
CYL. 2
IN
10
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
-01
OR
-03
12
TIME DELAY
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
1
10
IN
CYL. 2
Z-220
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
12
TIME DELAY
-02
OR
-04
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYL. 1
EX
1
CYL. 2
IN
10
CYLINDER
MANUAL
VALVE
-23
12
TIME DELAY
NORGREN
4-WAY
POPPET
VALVE
CYL. 1
3
2
EX
1
IN
CYL. 2
10
Z-221
MANUAL
VALVE
12
3
2
1
4
5
14
12
BI-DIRECTIONAL
AIR MOTOR
3
1
5
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. 1
MANUAL
VALVE NO. 2
12
2
BI-DIRECTIONAL
AIR MOTOR
CYL. 1
EX
3
2
1
IN
CYL. 2
10
POPPET VALVE
Z-222
12
MANUAL
VALVE
3
2
1
4
14
Z-223
SAFELY APPLYING
3-POSITION AIR VALVES
A great deal of confusion exists regarding the application of 3-position valves with double acting pneumatic cylinders for emergency stop and
jog-type cylinder applications. Many times, the designer is asked to provide these actions when they are not necessary and without realizing
the additional complexity and cost required.
Each 3 position application should be examined closely for the following:
a) Is there a requirement to stop the cylinder in mid-stroke?
b) Is jogging of the cylinder, extend or retract, required?
c) Is emergency stop of the cylinder, during extend or retract, absolutely necessary?
Improper applications of 3-position air valves to satisfy the above applications may, during start-up or repair,
create additional safety hazards. The purpose of this discussion is to point out those hazards.
Z-224
CAUTION
When air is exhausted by a lockout and exhaust valve, air may still be trapped
in the cylinder. A vertical cylinder supporting a load may unexpectedly drop
when the cylinder line is opened or disconnected. Applications requiring this
method of control may not be incorporated into manifold assemblies. They
must be piped as individually mounted valves.
Z-225
NOTE
Not recommended for vertical cylinders supporting heavy loads.
Some drift of the cylinder may occur when centering the valve due
to relieving regulators.
SUMMARY
Evaluation should be made to determine the need for a 3-position valve.
l Many times during emergencies or loss of electrical power, a spring return, 2-position valve may be used where
no pinch point exists or an action is guarded and the cylinder may return to its normal position.
l 2-position, detented valves are normally used on clamps, etc., to maintain the cylinder position during loss of electrical power.
They may be energized during the forward stroke to return to the normal position during emergencies, provided guards are
present and no pinch points exist.
l 3-position valves should be held energized except during jog or emergency stop conditions. This maintains full pressure on one
end of the cylinder to provide full force and prevent drifting.
l Cylinders, controlled by 3-position valves, must not have leaky piston seals. Leaky seals allow the air to bypass the piston, causing
the cylinder to drift.
l Regulators should not be installed between the valve and the cylinder.
l When in doubt, circuit #4 with regulators and check valves provides the best alternative.
l Air cylinders cannot be depended upon to hold location in mid-position during manufacturing operations. A method of positive
location control must be used.
Z-226