Valves are crucial components of piping, plumbing, and machinery. A wide range of valves are available for various applications. This article will discuss some top valve types and how they can be used differently.
Hydraulic valves are designed to be more robust than mechanical ones. They can handle higher pressures and be used in harsh environments.
Proportional Hydraulic Valve
The proportional hydraulic valve is a type of hydraulic control valve that allows the operator to regulate the flow rate of one or more functions. It is typically controlled by an electrical signal sent to the solenoid coils.
These valves are used in various applications, including lifting and lowering cranes and other machines that require precise movement and speed control. They are available in several different types and styles to accommodate the additional requirements of the application.
There are three main types of proportional valves, depending on the application. They include directional, flow control and pressure control.
LCW Hydraulic Valve
A hydraulic valve is a mechanical device that controls the liquid flow, typically oil, through a hydraulic circuit. They are essential components of any hydraulic system and control the speed of motors and the movement of cylinders.
There are several different applications for crane valves. The most common are counterbalance and load holding.
In load-holding applications, the load is held in position until pressure is applied through a pilot line to the control valve and the cylinder is opened. The cylinder then moves, and the load is released.
The LCW hydraulic valve is a load-holding valve that allows the hydraulic fluid to enter the cylinder. Still, it prevents fluid from flowing out of the cylinder until pressure is supplied through a pilot line and the cylinder is opened. This is especially important for cylinders positioned under no load conditions or has drifted out of position.
In each service building, an LCW control system controls pumps and valves and monitors pressures, flows, resistances, and temperatures. It communicates with other facilities via an Ethernet link and front-end computers, including MCR (Main Control Room).
Counterbalance Hydraulic Valve
The counterbalance hydraulic valve is used for high-speed, and safe lowering or elevating applications. It prevents unwanted downward drift of the cylinder and helps stabilize the load during aerial work platform operations.
Typical load-holding applications require pilot-operated flow check valves that open and close when a certain amount of pressure is applied to the port. These valves can also be modified to include a thermal relief that allows drops of oil to pass when work port pressures reach the spring setting.
Another common application is a meter-out proportional control valve that creates a constantly varying back pressure between the directional control and the counterbalance valve. This design challenge requires a counterbalance valve that is flexible enough to adapt to changing system conditions.
In addition, many of the regenerative systems used in cranes also cause variable back pressure situations and make standard counterbalance valves challenging to implement.
Flow Control Hydraulic Valve
Flow control hydraulic valves are used to regulate or redirect the flow of fluid in a system. They can be simple or complex and manually operated, pneumatically or electrically actuated.
Depending on the type, a hydraulic flow control valve can close off the fluid completely, reduce the flow or direct it to a specific area or device. They are an essential part of a hydraulic system and can be found in many industries, from manufacturing to mining.
Crane valves are a vital safety component as they help prevent damage to the system during operations. This includes protecting cylinders from leaks or hoses from rupture. Keep these crane valve tips in mind to ensure proper functions.
