October 2025

Hydraulic control valves are used to adjust the flow rate of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system. These valves have a port that is able to be adjusted so that the flow area may be changed to provide an alteration in the flow rate through the valve. How Does a Hydraulic Control Valve Work? Within […]

What is a Hydraulic Control Valve? Hydraulic control valves start and stop fluid flow into hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic motors. They operate either manually or electronically (solenoid-operated). The number of cylinders or motors that a control valve can operate depends on the number of spools. The flow rates represent the maximum allowed GPM (Gallons Per

Angle seat valves are 2-position valves with a built in pneumatic actuator. The actuator can be spring return or double acting. The obstructer is a plug that enters the valve at an angle to sit in an angled seat molded into the valve’s flow path. The plug gets retracted almost completely out of the flow

Coaxial valves are 2-position valves that can be pneumatically or electrically actuated. The electric versions use an electromagnetic coil vs. a spring, similar to solenoid valves. The pneumatic versions use air pressure vs. a spring (spring return), or air pressure in both directions (double acting). Coaxial valves use a shuttle type obstructer that the media

Solenoid valves operate using a linear sliding obstructer that opens and closes the valve, or changes the flow from one outlet to another. There are many different types of obstructers used including plunger, shuttle, spool, and diaphragm. The linear motion is achieved by energizing an electromagnetic coil to pull the obstructer in one direction. A

These are very similar to a globe valves with 2 main differences. One, they are smaller and for finer control of flow on smaller lines. Two, instead of a disc shaped plug, they use a “needle” which has a conical shape, and moves in and out of an orifice. While effective as an on/off valve,

Globe valves operate by having a convex disc shaped plug raise and lower via a rising stem into a circular seat around the inside of the globe shaped body at the “equator”. The flow enters the “lower hemisphere” from one side, then travels up through the seat and exits through the outlet on the opposite

A gate valve functions by moving a wedge shaped disc obstructer up and down to open and close the flow path through the valve. This linear motion is provided by a threaded rising stem. Turning this threaded stem requires multiple revolutions (multi-turn) to travel from open to closed. The number of revolutions required is usually

In contrast to ball and plug valves, butterfly valves use a disc shaped obstructer. Basic, general duty butterfly valves are called “resilient seated”. They have a single seal ring that acts a a seal between the valve body and disc, as well as the seal between the pipe flanges and valve body. When the disc

The basic construction of a plug valve is practically identical to that of a ball valve with the exception of the shape of the obstructer used. In this case, the ball is replaced by a slightly tapered cylinder. This cylinder has a bore through it just like a ball valve, and it operates the same