Pneumatic Control Valves

In order to understand precisely what pneumatic control valves are, you may need to understand exactly what pneumatic means. By definition, pneumatic means a machine or system that ‘contains or is operated by air, or gas under pressure’. As a result, pneumatic control valves form a key part of the pneumatic control system on many devices.

Such systems are most typically used by industries where pressurised air must be forced through a system. Therefore, pneumatic control valves are found in a wide range of products, including:

• Car engines (Diesel)
• Power tools
• Air conditioning units
• Industrial equipment
• Conveyor belts

To put it simply, pneumatic manual control valves give the user the ability to control the flow of air from one place to the other. They are most typically constructed as modular devices, which means that multiple valves and contacts can be used in conjunction with one another to create many different system combinations.

What are the different types of pneumatic control valves? 

Spring Offset. A Spring offset is a tool that is used to help the valve function properly. They are connected to an actuator, which can be used to open or close a valve – and can therefore allow air to flow, or lock the air in place. Spring offset valves are in many ways, comparable to a two-way valve.

Two-Way Directional Pneumatic Control Valves. As indicated by the name, air can flow in two directions through this valve, though the ports can be opened or closed accordingly. The direction of the flow can be altered, dependant upon which port is open.  When both ports are closed, this means that there will be no airflow within the valve.

Three-Way Directional Pneumatic Control Valves. Three-way direction valves function differently to two-directional valves, in that every port has a unique purpose. It is not as simple as closing or opening ports to allow airflow. For example, one port functions exclusively as the exhaust exit, whilst another controls the airflow. The final port will connect the valve to another device. Whenever two ports are opened, a third port must be closed in order for the valve to work, as this allows the air to move through (or out) of the system accordingly.

Four-Way Directional Pneumatic Control Valves. As can be expected, this is perhaps the most ‘complicated’ form of pneumatic control valve, though its function is, in fact, fairly straightforward. Two of the ports are connected to actuators (e.g. electric motors), a third port will again serve as an exhaust exit, and the final port connects to airflow.

The four-way valves are perhaps the most popular, or at least the most commonly used pneumatic control valves. This is due to the fact that they make it much easier to control the airflow, and are considered to be more accurate.

Steam control valves with pneumatic actuators. If a system does not use a pneumatic control valve, it may use a steam control valve. However, these are typically powered by pneumatic actuators.

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