Check Valves
Check valves are used to prevent flow in one direction but allow
Free flow in the opposite direction. They are considered to be
Directional control valves because they affect the flow direction
Of oil in the circuit they are in. Two or three ports allow fluid
To enter and leave their housing and one movable component.
Check valves are a common part of MORE hydraulic systems,
And few variations are discussed next.
Shuttle Check Valves
Shuttle check valves have three ports: two inlet and one outlet.
They have a ball that moves freely in a housing and seals one of
Two ports when it is seated by the higher pressure oil flow from
One of the inlets. FIGURE 26-36A shows a shuttle check valve. Oil
Can enter one of two inlet ports and exit the outlet port. They
Are usually connected with two or more other shuttle check
Valves and are used to send the highest working pressure to a
Pump control valve. A series of shuttle check valves connected
Together are displayed in FIGURE 26-36B. This arrangement
Senses the work port pressure and sends the highest pressure to
The pump control valve.
In-Line Poppet–Type Check Valves
Some circuits require having a check valve to allow flow in
One direction but prevent it from flowing in the opposite
Direction. They have a light spring in them to assist with
Seating the poppet. See FIGURE 26-37A to understand how
A poppet-type check valve works. Poppet-type check valves
Have a machined housing and two threaded end caps that are
Sealed with O-rings; one has the poppet seat machined into
It. A pressure and flow rating is stamped on these valves, and
Should not be exceeded. See FIGURE 26-37B for a poppet-type
Check valve.
Other Types of Check Valves
Check valves can be found in main control valve assemblies and
Are used for different functions, but their operation is still the
Same, even though they might go by different name