What to take into account when selecting valves.

When you are designing a hydraulic system, choosing the right valves is crucial. However, it’s only one small key part of a much larger process. Yuken are here to help you gain a little insight into how best to select valves, as well as complete hydraulic system design.

There are many key specifications used to select valves, the first is fluid power operating parameters and maximum operating pressures or flows. It is also important to have an understanding of the temperature into which the system will be applied, both ambient and oil temperatures; oil temperature helps to decide the correct seal selection for designing valves and manifolds, leakage, and what the flow media is, as well as the overall operating parameters. It’s also important to take into account key electrical parameters, if there is a current limitation prerequisite, or does the system have a continuous, intermittent a duty cycle, for instance?

This is one of the key advantages a hydraulic integrated circuit manifold has, it drives a more efficient system which results in lower energy consumption and current draw. In mobile applications, lower current draw is important because it gives longer battery life, resulting in reduced system costs. On the flip-side, from a pressure drop standpoint, there’s always a balance to be had. Simply using larger valves to reduce pressure drop may make the system more efficient, but larger components are more costly and it’s essential to weigh the benefits of that lower pressure drop with the associated costs, relative to any gains. Another critical element is the overall size limitations. One advantage of the circuit manifold is reduced size, but when going through the design phase, it’s key to know if there are any limitations when designing the manifold.

Another key part of the design jigsaw is knowledge and understanding of the system’s application i.e. how it’s being used. It’s vital that an evaluation of the potential risk associated with the operation is taken into account, in order for proper design measures to offset any potential issues.

Last but certainly not least, is the taking into account of the customer’s objective for the project. Sometimes they know exactly what they want, you design it, you prototype it, you go straight to production… Other times, it starts as a concept, you have an idea, and you’re brainstorming, and you want to simply prove that functionality of an overall hydraulic system.

For more information on valves and system design contact Yuken here.