In hydraulic systems, multiple hydraulic valves are commonly seen. So what are the different ways to connect hydraulic valves?
There are several ways to connect hydraulic valves, including pipe connections, plate connections, integrated block connections, and stacked valve connections. We will present each of them below.
1. Piping connections
Pipe fittings, also known as threaded fittings, connect tube-type hydraulic valves to pipe joints and oil pipes. Flange connections are used for high flow rates.
The advantage of this connection method is that the direction of oil flow between each valve in the system is clear at a glance.
However, the disadvantage is that the structure is dispersed, taking up a large space in the hydraulic system. The circuit is complicated and not suitable for installation, disassembly or maintenance.
The pipe joint is subject to oil leaks and air ingress, as well as subject to vibration and noise.
Currently, its application is limited.
2. Board Connections
Plate connections install plate-type hydraulic valves onto a connection plate, using the following types of connection plates:
(1) Single-layer connecting plate: The valve components are mounted on the vertical connecting plate, and the oil lines between the valves are connected by oil pipes behind the plate.
This type of connection plate is simple and checking the oil lines is convenient, but there are many pipelines on the plate, making disassembly and installation inconvenient.
(2) Double-layer connection plate: Connection channels for valves are machined between two plates. The two boards are then glued or screwed together.
This method has a simple process and compact structure, but when the pressure of the hydraulic system is high, it is prone to oil leakage and inter-cavity problems.
(3) Integral connection plate: The integral connection plate drills or drills holes to connect oil lines in a thicker connection plate. This method is compact, has fewer oil tubes, and works reliably.
However, processing is more challenging and the pressure loss in the oil circuit is greater.
3. Integrated Block Connections
For integrated block hydraulic devices, plate-type hydraulic components are installed on three sides of the integrated block, while pipe joints are installed on the other side, connecting to the hydraulic running components through oil pipes.
The oil connection circuit inside the block is formed by holes. The block and the elements assembled around it form an integrated block group, which can generally complete a certain function of a typical basic circuit, such as a pressure control circuit block, a speed control circuit block, etc.
A hydraulic system is often made up of several groups of integrated blocks, each of which is connected to the top cover and bottom plate with long screws.
This connection method has the advantages of compact structure, fewer oil pipes, standardization, and ease of design and manufacturing. Therefore, it has been widely used in various hydraulic systems.
4. Stacked valve connections
Stacked valve connections are another way to integrate hydraulic devices. Each stacked valve acts as both a control valve and a channel body.
Therefore, there is no need for additional connection blocks for stacked valve configurations. Each stacked valve can be directly mounted on the bottom plate block using long screws to form the required hydraulic system.
