Instructor’s Guide

Directional Control Valve Centers

INSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE

Objective: Identify various directional valves by
their function and schematic symbols.
The student will control a simple circuit contain-
ing both pressure control and directional con-
trol. Observe the dynamic interactions as each of
the various configurations of directional control
is selected. Also introduced in this animation
are five different directional control valve (DCV)
symbols commonly used in today’s modern
hydraulic schematics, as well as visual represen-
tation of the optional pilot operated (PO) check
valve (found and active only in the 4port, 3pos,
Float Center option). This animation was intro-
duced in session 5.
Animation Overview: This animation is default-
ed to the 4 Port, 2 Position, and active state.
Flow arrows indicate that the fixed displacement
pump output is directed over the relief valve
with a non-disclosed pressure setting.

Interactive controls are circled

! Improper application of directional control center positions on actual systems can

result in many safety and function issues.

^ Discuss: ” What else can we tell from the symbol when it is compared to
the actual animated DCV?”

Spring returned to P to A, B to T position, manually handle operated

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Teaching with this Animation: Before activating each of the operator selected options, begin with
the observation and review of the changes made to each of these circuits.

^ Ask: ” What are the two types of general hydraulic system designs that
are shown in these five examples ?”

(This reviews a discussion covered in session 5.) Since the pump is positive displace-
ment, it must send a fixed amount of fluid into the system with every revolution.
When the valves are in the neutral position, the pump flow is directed either through
the relief valve or directly back to tank through the directional valve.

The two types of overall system design are open center and closed center. Students
should take care not to confuse these valve centers with the terms closed loop
and open loop used elsewhere! Closed & open center refer to a valve center, while
Closed & open loop refer to a system design.

^ Ask: ”Can the cylinder be stopped mid-stroke with this 4 port, 2 position
valve?”

No, it can’t be.

Step 1. Switch to the 4 Port, 3 Pos, Closed Cen-

ter Option.

Compare the symbol representation with the

actual moving spool during each of the options
throughout this activity.

Point out and discuss how with each change of

the symbol, only the spool configuration chang-
es. The outer casting does not change.

Note how, when the valve is centered, the lands block

the A and B ports completely. The P port is blocked in Lands & Undercuts
a spool undercut. The T port appears to access both Lands
sides of the spool, but it is blocked from any access to
the A, B or P ports.

The closed center option holds the cylinder rod in

place. The cylinder holding in this example is ideal or Undercuts
theoretical. In reality, only a very few valve manufac-

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Instructor’s Guide

turers make a DCV that will hold a vertical load without some internal leakage and “bleed down”.
Most directional control valves that use the spool design show increased leakage due to wear over
time.

Step 2. Switch to the 4 Port, 3 Pos, Float Center

Option

^ Ask: “Why did the cylinder drop?”

The float center opens a path back to

tank for both the A and B ports.

^ Ask: “Why would you use a float center? What are some common appli-
cations?”

Answers might include: Float center on cylinder applications are used so that the
cylinder can follow the contour of the work. (E.g. float function on a loader bucket or
grader blade.) Float centers allow rotational inertia (motors, large fans) to dissipate
instead of breaking things.

^ Ask: “Would you believe that the float center is most popular in circuits
where a vertically loaded cylinder must be supported?”

(It’s true - see step 3 below)

Note that the lands previously covering the A and B work ports have been machined back a bit.

Step 3. Locate the P.O. CHECKS button on the

control panel, and click on it to add the PO Pilot
checks valves to the animation. Port

^ Ask: “What does “P.O.” stand for?”

Pilot Operated.

The small diameter fluid hose on each check valve moves an internal piston to lift the ball off the

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seat, and allow reverse flow when the directional valve is operated. When the DCV is in the center
position, the float center allows the pilot line pressure to be completed neutralized, allowing the
check valves to lock.

Using the P.O. check valves prevents the cylinder from sinking when the valve is centered.

^ Ask: “Why are two P.O. check valves used in some applications?”

This arrangement is commonly referred to as cross-port pilot operation. The

cylinder cannot sink or be pulled out when the system is in neutral.

^ Ask: Why is a P.O. check valve with a float DCV a better solution for lock-
ing a cylinder or motor than just a spool valve?

A check valve ball or poppet that just lifts open and then closes again on a seat,
is generally far more leak-proof and less prone to wear (causing internal leakage)
than a spool valve alone.

Step 4. Switch to the 4 Port, 3 Pos, Tandem

Center

This center position is most commonly used

with fixed displacement pumps to prevent
pushing the flow over the relief valve when the
system is in neutral. The work ports A and B are
isolated to prevent a cylinder or motor from
drifting.

Point out to the participants that the P to T flow is through a drilled & bored spool. If the valve is not
sufficiently sized, this may be a problem.

^ Ask: Will there be a pressure drop (resistance) across this valve in the
neutral position? What will this mean when two or more of these valves
are connected in a series circuit?

The number of pressure drops need to be taken into consideration for final system
pressure. They will start to add up. If you had 6 of these valves in series, each with
100 PSI pressure drop, you will have 600 PSI of system loading from the valves alone.

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Step 5. Switch to the 4 Port, 3 Pos, Open Center

This center position equalizes all four ports of

the directional control valve. It can be used in a
hydraulic motor application to allow free wheel-
ing. This center also directs the pump flow back
to tank without restriction.

Free Wheeling

Free wheeling refers to conditions

where a motor is allowed to spin
freely, without restriction.

Valve Center Names

Names like float and tandem can be hard to remember. If you have a schematic
symbol for the valve you are using, simply stating which ports are connected
and which ports are isolated when the valve is at center (neutral) is sufficient for
most maintenance support conversations.

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