Basic Principles of Hydraulic Symbols

Basic principles of hydraulic symbols
© Festo Didactic – Training and Consulting Symbols & formula 17.10.03 No. 1 / 43
Symbols
Pumps
Fixed Displacement One direction of flow. Constant delivery for
constant speed
Variable Displacement One direction of flow. Variable delivery for constant

speed
Pressure compensated variable pump

One direction of flow, adjustable spring and
pump case drain.
Method of adjustment is shown on the arrow
Directional of flow reversible. Variable delivery

for constant speed.
Hydraulic Energy Source

(simplified representation)
Symbols
Drive units
M Electric Motor
M Engine
Motors
One direction of rotation.
Fixed Displacement
Constant shaft speed for constant
flow rate
Either direction of rotation, depending on direction

of flow. Constant shaft speed for constant flow
rate.
Variable Displacement Either direction of rotation. Speed variable for

constant flow.
Symbols
Semi rotary
actuator Limited rotary movement eg 1800
Pressure Intensifiers
Equipment to
transform a Single acting
pressure x in to a
pressure y
x y
Continuous
Symbols
Actuators
Single Acting Returned by external force
Spring return
Vent
Telescopic Cylinder
Symbols
Actuators
Double acting Forward and return stroke under power

Single piston rod.
Double acting Double ended piston rod
Cushioned Variable cushioning at both ends.
Symbols
Directional Control Valves
A
2/2 way valve
Porting Two Way
Normally closed
(2 position)
P
A
3/2 way valve
Three Way
Normally closed
P T
A B
4/2 way valve
Four Way
Changeover
P T
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Number of Control
positions
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Number of Control positions

2
(Number of Boxes)
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Number of Control
positions
2
(Number of Boxes)
Method of Push
Operation
Button
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Number of Control
positions
2
(Number of Boxes)
Method of Push
Operation
Button
Method of Spring
Return
Valve description
Number of Ports 3
Number of Control
positions
2
(Number of Boxes)
Flow path Method of Push

Operation
blocked when Button
valve is at rest
Method of Spring
Return
Flow path open Normally closed Normally

when valve is or Normally open Closed
at rest
Symbols
Directional Control A B
Valves
Closed centre
P T
3 position valves
A B
Open centre
P T
A B
Tandem centre
P T
Symbols
Directional Control
Valves
A B
3 position valves Floating Centre
P T
A B
Regenerative Centre
P T
Symbols
Methods of Operation General manual operation
Usually used to represent a manual override
Lever operation
Foot Pedal operation
Push Button operation
Detent operation
Usually used with lever operation
Symbols
Methods of Operation
Pilot operation
Roller operation
Spring operation
Usually used as a return or centring function
Solenoid operation
Internal pilot or 2 stage operation

Usually used with solenoid
operation
Symbols
Non return valves
Opens if inlet pressure is higher

Free than outlet pressure
Spring loaded Opens if inlet pressure is higher than

outlet pressure plus spring load
Pilot operated
Symbols
Pressure Controls
Single stage with internal drain

Pressure Relief
Valve
Also sometimes represented so
With external drain
Symbols
Pressure Controls
Pressure Relief
Remote pilot control with
Valve
internal drain
Internally piloted or 2 stage relief

valve
Symbols
Pressure Controls
A
Pressure Regulating Downstream pressure control
Valves Forward flow only external
drain
B
Downstream pressure control.

3 way pressure If outlet pressure exceeds set
regulating valve pressure, flow is diverted to tank.
Symbols
Pressure Controls
Pressure regulator with reverse

flow by-pass built in
Symbols
Pressure Controls - comparison
Pressure Relief Pressure Regulator
Pressure operation
from inlet A
Shown normally Pressure operation B Shown normally

closed from outlet open
Valve is closed until the pressure at the Valve is open until the pressure at the outlet is
inlet is high enough to open it (set high enough to close it (set pressure). Flow is
pressure). Flow is then usually to tank. usually to cylinder or other part of the circuit.
Symbols
Pressure Controls
Sequence Valves Maintains upstream pressure, allows

flow through to other functions.
Maintains upstream pressure, allows

Two stage sequence valve flow through to other functions.
External drain
Provides controlled backpressure for

load support.
Counterbalance valve
With built in by-pass
Symbols
Flow Controls
Non pressure Flow proportional to preset area times the

compensated square root of the pressure drop across
restrictor
Flow restricted in one direction only.
Symbols
Flow Controls
Flow proportional to preset area
irrespective of valve pressure drop.
Pressure
Compensated Direction of flow as indicated (non
reversible). Excess flow must find
alternative path.
Also sometimes
Pressure & Temperature Preset area automatically adjusts to

Compensated compensate for viscosity changes
Bypass Regulator Excess flow bypassed internally
Symbols
Flow Controls
Input flow is divided to 2 flows of

Flow divider fixed ratio
Pressure compensated.
Symbols
Proportional Valves Valve with 2 distinct operating positions,
fully open and fully closed, and an infinite
number of intermediate positions.
4/3 directional control valve, proportional.

3 distinct operating positions with closed
centre position and an infinite number of
intermediate positions.
Solenoid current is controlled through
proportional amplifier.
Servo valve
Controlled by a torque motor.
Direction of movement is dependent on voltage
polarity.
Amount of movement is dependent on
magnitude of current.
Symbols
Modulating Control Valves
More often referred to as Proportional Control Valves and usually solenoid operated.
With these valves there is a known relationship between the position of the spool and the flow
through the valve. Therefore flow (speed) can be controlled electronically without the need for
adjusting manual valves.
Full flow
Proportional Valve
Flow Conventional valve

Rate
Spool Travel
Symbols
Miscellaneous
Reservoirs Vented to atmosphere
Return line below fluid level
Return line above fluid level
Header tank
Symbols
Miscellaneous
Conditioning Units
Filter or Strainer
Cooler
Water cooled
Heater
Symbols
Miscellaneous
Pressure Gauge
Shut off valve
Accumulator
Gas type
Hydraulic formulae
Hydraulic formula
Force (F) = Area (A) x Pressure (P)

Newtons (N) Square metres (sq. m) Pascals (Pa)
Pounds (lbf) Square inches (sq. in) Pounds/sq.in (psi)
Note:
* The pascal is a very small unit of pressure.
100 Kpa = 10N = 14.5 psi = 1 Bar

cm2
e.g. 5000KPa = 50 Bar = 725 psi
F = A x P P = F A = F
A P
Hydraulic Formula
Flow Rate = Flow Velocity x Flow area
metres 3 / sec metres / second metres 2
Usually flow rate is given in Litres/minute and flow area given in cm2 or mm2 .
Care must be taken to ensure the correct multiples are used.
Eg. Calculate the cross sectional area required for the suction line of a pump delivering
40 l/min with a maximum flow velocity of 1.2 m/s.
Area = Flow rate 40 l/min = 40/60 x 10-3 m3/s

Flow velocity
Area = 40 x 10 -3 m2
60 x 1.2
Area = 0.555 x 10 -3 m2 (Pipe bore of 26.6mm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume of cylinder (base end) = Piston diameter x stroke length
Volume of cylinder (rod end) = (Piston dia - Rod dia) x stroke
Hydraulic Formula
Work done = Force x

distance moved
Force on a piston = Pressure x area of piston

So,
work done = Pressure x area x distance moved
Area x distance moved = Volume
So
Work done = Pressure x volume
Power is the rate of doing work or, work done per unit of time.
Volume per unit time is flow rate - m3/second

Hydraulic Formula
So
Hydraulic power = Pressure x Flow rate
If pressure is in Pascals (N/m2) and the flow rate is in m3/second then
Hydraulic power = Pressure x Flow rate - (Nm/s)

= Watts
It is usual to give flow rate in litres/minute and pressure in bars. To use these units in the calculation the
following conversion has to be made.
Hydraulic Power (kW) = Pressure (bar) x Flow rate (l/min)

600
Hydraulic Formula
Force (F) = Area (A) x Pressure (P)

Newtons (N) Square Centimetres (sq. cm) Pascals (Pa)
Pounds (lbf) Square inches (sq. in) Pounds/sq.in (psi)
Bar
Note:
* The pascal is a very small unit of pressure.
100 Kpa = 10N = 14.5 psi = 1 Bar

cm2
e.g. 5000KPa = 50 Bar = 725 psi
F = A x P P = F A = F
A P
To calculate power in Watts the following formula can be used
Pressure x Flow rate = Power
N x m3 = Nm = Watts
m2 sec sec
To use more useful units.
Bar times 100,000 = N/m2 L/min divided by 1000 then divided by 60 = m3/sec
So Bar x 100,000 x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in Watts

60,000
Bar x 100,000 x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in kilowatts

60,000,000
Pressure (Bar) x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in kW

600
1) If a system pressure of 3000 p.s.i acts on a piston area of 3 sq ins, (approx 2 ins diameter) what force
will be produced?
2) If a force of 10,000 lb is produced from a cylinder with a piston area of 2.5 sq ins, what is the pressure
build up in the system?
3) If a force of 15,000 Newtons is produced in a cylinder with a piston area of 20 sq cm, what is the
pressure build up in the system?
4) A cylinder with piston area 150 sq cm and stroke length of 400cm must fully extend in 15 seconds.
What flow rate (in Litres/min) must the pump deliver to achieve this?
5) If a hydraulic pump is delivering a flow of 40 litres / min against a pressure of 150 bar, what is the
power consumption (in KW) at the pump?
Number of Ports
Number of Control positions
(Number of Boxes)
Method of Operation
Method of Return
Normally closed
or Normally open
x y

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Basic principles of hydraulic symbols

Variable Displacement One direction of flow. Variable delivery for constant

Pressure compensated variable pump

Directional of flow reversible. Variable delivery

Hydraulic Energy Source

Either direction of rotation, depending on direction

Variable Displacement Either direction of rotation. Speed variable for

Single Acting Returned by external force

Double acting Forward and return stroke under power

Double acting Double ended piston rod

Cushioned Variable cushioning at both ends.

Number of Control positions

Flow path Method of Push

Flow path open Normally closed Normally

3 position valves Floating Centre

Foot Pedal operation

Push Button operation

Internal pilot or 2 stage operation

Opens if inlet pressure is higher

Spring loaded Opens if inlet pressure is higher than

Single stage with internal drain

Also sometimes represented so

With external drain

Internally piloted or 2 stage relief

Downstream pressure control.

Pressure regulator with reverse

Pressure Relief Pressure Regulator

Shown normally Pressure operation B Shown normally

Sequence Valves Maintains upstream pressure, allows

Maintains upstream pressure, allows

Provides controlled backpressure for

Non pressure Flow proportional to preset area times the

Flow restricted in one direction only.

Pressure & Temperature Preset area automatically adjusts to

Bypass Regulator Excess flow bypassed internally

Input flow is divided to 2 flows of

4/3 directional control valve, proportional.

Flow Conventional valve

Reservoirs Vented to atmosphere

Return line below fluid level

Return line above fluid level

Shut off valve

Force (F) = Area (A) x Pressure (P)

100 Kpa = 10N = 14.5 psi = 1 Bar

Area = Flow rate 40 l/min = 40/60 x 10-3 m3/s

Work done = Force x

Force on a piston = Pressure x area of piston

Area x distance moved = Volume

Volume per unit time is flow rate - m3/second

If pressure is in Pascals (N/m2) and the flow rate is in m3/second then

Hydraulic power = Pressure x Flow rate - (Nm/s)

Hydraulic Power (kW) = Pressure (bar) x Flow rate (l/min)

Force (F) = Area (A) x Pressure (P)

100 Kpa = 10N = 14.5 psi = 1 Bar

To use more useful units.

So Bar x 100,000 x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in Watts

Bar x 100,000 x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in kilowatts

Pressure (Bar) x Flow rate (L/min) = Power in kW