A proportional valve,or electro-proportional valve,controls pressure or flow in response to a change in current applied to the coil used to activate the valve.
There are 4 basic functions provided by proportional valves:
- Directional Control -- 2, 3,4 and 5 ported valves where the oil can be diverted or directed within the circuit to control the motion of an actuator. They can include load sense ports to signal a pump or a compensator to react when the system demands it.
- Flow Control -- 2 and 3 ported valves function as an infinitely adjustable orifice.They are available as non-compensated or with an integrated compensator to provide restrictive (2 port) or priority (3 port)flow control functions in a single cartridge.
- Pressure Relieving -- Relief valves where the pressure setting is adjusted proportionally with the electrical input signal.They are available as pilot valves or as pilot operated valves in a single cartridge in both normally closed and normally open configurations.
- Pressure Reducing -- Valves where the downstream pressure is controlled proportionally with the electrical input signal.They are available with or without reverse relief functionality.
