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fluid power basics

Chapter 14

Sequence Valves and Reducing Valves

Some parts of fluid power circuits
need pressure control. (Chapter 9 covers
relief and unloading valves that control
pressure in pump circuits.) Other types
of pressure controls include sequence
valves, counterbalance valves, and reducing
valves. Although the internal works (and
the symbols) are similar, these three
pressure controls perform entirely different
functions. Like relief valves and unloading
valves, sequence and counterbalance valves
are normally closed, but they usually allow
bi-directional flow. Therefore, they need a
bypass check valve in their bodies. Sequence
valves always have an external drain
connected directly to tank. Counterbalance
valves are internally drained except when
used in some regeneration circuits.
Reducing valves are normally open and
respond to outlet pressure to keep outlet
flow from going above their set pressure.
They also can have a bypass check valve.
Reducing valves always have an external
drain connected directly to tank. Any
backpressure in this drain line adds to the
valves spring setting.
Relief valves, unloading valves, sequence
valves, counterbalance valves, and reducing
valves are the most difficult to discern on a
schematic drawing because their symbols
are so similar. Take extra care when
diagnosing a problem to make sure these
valves are correctly identified and their
function understood.

Figure 14-1. Hydraulic

and pneumatic sequence
valves

starts, a sequence valve

can be a simple way to
control the actuators
actions.
The symbols and
cutaways in Figure 14-1
are for hydraulic and
pneumatic sequence
valves. The main
difference between
these valves is that most
hydraulic sequence
valves are single purpose
and must be used in
series with a directional
control valve. On the
other hand, many air
sequence valves are
pilot-operated directional control valves
with an adjustable spring return.
In either case, a preset pressure must be
reached before the valves allow fluid to pass
or change flow paths. Many manufacturers

offer a direct-acting internally piloted

hydraulic sequence valve like the design
shown in Figure 14-1. This valve can be
changed to external pilot in the field if
required.

Sequence valves

There are times when two or more

actuators operating in a parallel circuit
must move in sequence. The only
positive way to do this is with separate
directional control valves and limit switches
or limit valves. This setup ensures the first
actuator has reached a specific location
before the next operation commences. If
there is no safety concern or possibility of
product damage if the first actuator does
not complete its cycle before the second
1

Figure 14-2. Typical pneumatic sequence valve circuit

Chapter 14

Figure 14-3. Typical hydraulic sequence valve circuit

Several manufacturers offer pilotPneumatic sequence valves typically

operated sequence valves also. Pilotare 5-way directional control valves with
operated sequence valves stay closed to
adjustable springs to set their shifting
within 50 psi or less of their set pressure.
pressure. They are used to start a second
Direct-acting sequence valves may partially
operation after the preceding one finishes.
open at pressures that are 100 to150 psi
Some older machines have one solenoid
below set pressure and, thus, allow
valve to start the cycle and several sequence
premature actuator creep.
valves to extend and retract all other
A balanced spool held in place by an
actuators. Some precautions:
adjustable-force spring blocks fluid at
A sequence valve shifts on a pressure
the hydraulic sequence valves inlet. When
buildup and may start a second operation
pressure at the inlet reaches the spring
prematurely if an actuator stalls or is
setting, pressure in the internal pilot line
stopped for any reason. If personnel safety
pushes the spool up to allow enough flow
or product damage can occur due to an
to the outlet to keep pressure from going
incomplete stroke, dont use sequence
higher. Pressure at the inlet never
drops below set pressure when there
is flow to the outlet. When outlet
pressure exceeds set pressure, the
valve opens fully and pressure at
both ports equalizes. Notice that the
drain port hooked to tank must be
at no pressure or constant pressure
because any pressure in this line
adds to spring setting. (Remember
that a sequence valve must always
have an external drain.)
A bypass check valve allows
reverse flow when the valve is used
in a line with bi-directional flow. In
some applications a sequence valve
may be externally piloted from
another operation. Most valves
can be converted in the field. (The
designer should always change
the part number to reflect the
Figure 14-4. Kick-down sequence valve
conversion.)
2

valves. Instead, use limit switches or limit

valves and directional control valves for
each operation sequence.
When flow controls are required, they
must be meter-in types. Take the signal
to the sequence valve from the line
downstream from the flow control because
pressure at this point will be whatever is
required to move the actuator and its load.
The circuit in Figure 14-2 is typical for
air-powered machines. Cyl. 1 extends
to clamp a part when an electrical input
signal shifts the solenoid pilot-operated
valve. As Cyl. 1 extends, pressure beyond
the meter-in flow control at its cap end
becomes as high as necessary to move the
cylinder and its load. With the sequence
valve set to shift at 70 psi, Cyl. 2 should not
move until Cyl. 1 has extended and securely
clamped the part. If the clamp does not
make a full stroke for any reason, the Cyl.
2 extending prematurely will not damage
the part or be unsafe. When the clamp
is at 70 psi or higher, the sequence valve
shifts to extend Cyl. 2. Both cylinders can
return simultaneously without causing any
problems.
One great feature of a sequence-operated
circuit is it does not matter how far the
first cylinder must move before the next
operation takes place. Thick or thin parts
are clamped at the same force before the
next operation starts because pressure must
build to the same level to trigger the next
sequence. Cyl. 2 has meter-out flow
controls to retard its movement and
hold pressure on Cyl. 1 during the
stamping operation. De-energizing
the solenoid pilot-operated valve
allows both cylinders to return
home at the same time.
The hydraulic sequence circuit in
Figure 14-3 is typical for a machine
that must clamp and hold pressure
while a second operation takes
place. Sequence valve 1 is set at 550
psi; pressure at clamp Cyl. 1 must
be at least 550 psi before punch Cyl.
2 can extend. While punch Cyl. 2
is extending, pressure in the circuit
never drops below 550 psi. If the
punching operation requires more
than 550 psi, the pressure in the
whole circuit increases up to the
relief valve setting.
Sequence valve 2 (set at 450 psi)

Chapter 14

down sequence valves in place of standard

sequence valves. Cyl. 2 will not extend in
this circuit until pressure on Cyl. 1 has
reached 750 psi. The difference is when
a kick-down sequence valve opens at its
pressure setting, it allows fluid to pass at
50 psi plus whatever it takes to overcome
downstream resistance. This means the
whole circuit from the pump to all actuators
is 50 psi plus Cyl. 2s resistance. The pilotoperated check valve at Cyl. 1s cap-end port
keeps it pressurized at near full force, while
Cyl. 2 extends at low force. Energy waste is
very low so heat buildup is minimal. (Other
sequence valve circuits can be found in
our second e-book, Fluid Power Circuits
Explained.)
Figure 14-5. Hydraulic circuit with kick-down sequence valves

keeps Cyl. 1 from getting a retract signal

poppet and more flow starts passing the
until Cyl. 2 has returned and pressure
poppet than going through the control
increases. A pilot-operated check valve
orifice, the pressure imbalance lets the
maintains clamp force while the punch
poppet raise. When the poppet moves
cylinder retracts. The signal to open the
enough to let trapped fluid go through the
pilot-operated check valve comes from the
bypass orifice, pressure on top of the poppet
line between Sequence Valve 2 and Cyl. 1, so drops off because the bypass orifice is
there is no signal until Cyl. 2 fully retracts.
larger than the control orifice. At this point,
(This circuit is not safe if pressure buildup
the only force acting to hold the poppet
comes from some source other than clamp
shut is spring force and backpressure at the
contact or the end of stroke so that the
outlet port. When flow stops, the poppet
punch cylinder operates prematurely.)
closes again due to pressure equalization
Sequence valves often generate a great
and spring force on the poppet.
deal of heat because the first actuator
The circuit in Figure 14-5 is the same
to move takes higher pressure than the
as in 14-3 except it incorporates kicksubsequent actuators. This means
there is usually a high pressure
drop across a sequence valve that
results in wasted energy. In some
circuits, a kick-down sequence
valve can reduce the energy
loss. The cutaway view and
symbol in Figure 14-4 show the
inner workings of a kick-down
sequence valve to explain how it
controls opening pressure and
then unloads it.
Fluid from the inlet flows
through the control orifice and
up to the adjustable poppet
where it is blocked. The resulting
pressure tries to open the poppet
while equal pressure and a light
spring acting on the opposite side
hold it shut.
When pressure increases
Figure 14-6. Three types of counterbalance valves
enough to unseat the adjustable
3

Counterbalance valves

The fourth and last normally closed

pressure control valve found in hydraulic
circuits is the counterbalance valve.
Cylinders with external forces such as
weight from a platen, machine members, or
tooling acting against them will overrun
when cycled if oil flowing out of them is
not restricted. A meter-out flow control
circuit is one way to control overrunning
loads, but it has one main drawback. A flow
controls speed is fixed except for manual
adjustment or when using an infinitely
variable proportional type. Because flow is
fixed, the actuator will continue at the same
speed even when working flow to it

Chapter 14

increases or decreases. Thus, control

that backpressure is constant,
is minimal, often resulting in high
so it holds back even when the
energy waste. (Figure 13-8 shows a
actuator needs maximum force.
meter-out flow control circuit for
Another disadvantage is that to
overrunning loads.)
maintain optimum performance,
A counterbalance valve keeps
an internallypiloted counterbalance
an actuator from overrunning
valve must be readjusted every time
regardless of flow changes because
the load changes. The valves main
it responds to pressure signals, not
advantage is that it produces smooth
flow. A counterbalance valve is
cylinder action while advancing to
almost the same as a sequence valve
the work.
except it normally does not have
An externally pilot-operated
an external drain connection. The
counterbalance valve shifts to allow
cutaways and symbols in Figure
excess fluid flow to the outlet when
14-6 depict the physical makeup of
pressure at the opposite cylinder
three different counterbalance valves
port reaches the pressure set by the
and how they are represented on a
pressure adjustment. Pressure at
schematic drawing.
the inlet never drops below loadThe two cutaways and symbols
induced pressure plus pressure set
on the left are spool designs with
Figure 14-7. Internally pilot-operated counterbalance valve
on the pressure adjustment when
internal and external pilots. The
circuit
there is flow at the outlet. Flow from
valve on the right is a poppet
inlet to outlet is just enough that the
design that is both internally and
actuator moves only as fast as it is
externally piloted. Each valve type
supplied and stops when flow to the
has advantages in different circuit
actuator ceases.
arrangements that will be discussed.
Pressure adjustment on
A counterbalance valve usually has
the externally pilot-operated
a bypass check valve for reverse
counterbalance valve can be made
flow because its most common
on a test stand by setting the
use is in controlling actuators with
pressure adjustment at 100 to 200
overrunning loads.
psi. If pressure must be set on the
An internal pilot-operated
machine, set the pressure adjustment
counterbalance valve shifts to allow
higher than 200 psi and lift the load
excess fluid to flow to the outlet
a small distance to make sure it
when pressure at the inlet increases
stops and holds. If it holds, continue
to the pressure set by the pressure
raising the load high enough to have
adjustment. Pressure at the inlet
some time for the next step. Now,
never drops below set pressure
power the load down and observe
when there is flow at the outlet.
pump pressure. Pump pressure
Flow from the inlet to the outlet is
while lowering the load should not
just enough so that backpressure on
exceed 200 psi. Continue this action
Figure 14-8. Externally pilot-operated counterbalance valve
the actuator never drops below set
until pump pressure is between 100
circuit
pressure. This means the actuator
and 200 psi while the load lowers.
moves only as fast as it is supplied
This method of adjusting usually
and stops when Inlet flow ceases.
With the load suspended, start reducing set
wastes less energy while always stopping
Pressure adjustment on the internally
pressure on the counterbalance valve slowly and holding the load.
piloted counterbalance valve is usually
until the load creeps forward.
The main disadvantage to an externally
made by first screwing the pressure
When the load starts drifting down
pilot-operated counterbalance valve is that
adjustment all the way in. To ensure that the slowly, increase pressure until movement
it may cause lunging or even stop cylinder
valve is capable of high enough pressure,
stops, then turn the pressure adjustment
action while advancing to the work. The
start the pump and raise the load a small
another quarter- to half-turn higher. This
main advantage is that backpressure is only
amount. Then center the directional valve
method of adjusting usually wastes less
present when the actuator is advancing
which connects the cylinder rod-end
energy while always stopping and holding
to the work. At work contact, pressure
port to tank to see if it holds. If the load
the load.
at the actuator inlet increases and forces
holds, next raise the load in increments
The main disadvantage of an internal
the counterbalance valve wide open, thus
checking for load stop every few inches.
pilot-operated counterbalance valve is
eliminating all backpressure. Another
4

Chapter 14

advantage is that an externally

pilot-operated counterbalance valve
does not need to be readjusted if
the load changes.
Internal and external pilotoperated counterbalance valves
shift when pressure at the internal
pilot area reaches the pressure
set on the pressure adjustment
and allow excess flow to go to the
outlet. Pressure at the inlet never
drops below set pressure when
there is flow at the outlet. Flow
from the inlet to the outlet is just
enough that backpressure on the
actuator never drops below set
pressure. This means the actuator
moves only as fast as it is supplied
and stops when inlet flow ceases.
Figure 14-9. Internally and externally pilot-operated
Pressure adjustment on an
counterbalance valve circuit.
internal and external pilotoperated counterbalance valve is usually
vertically oriented cylinder with rod facing
made by first screwing the pressure
down and a load trying to extend it. To
adjustment all the way in. To ensure
keep the cylinder from overrunning, the
that the valve is capable of high enough
counterbalance valve must resist the loadpressure, start the pump and raise the
induced pressure from the weight. The
load slightly. Then center the directional
load-induced pressure can be calculated
valve that has the cylinder rod-end port
and the counterbalance valve could be
connected to tank to see if it holds.
preset at 100 to 150 psi higher on a test
If the load holds, raise it in increments,
stand, but pressure adjustment is usually
checking for load stop every few inches.
done at the machine.
With the load suspended, start reducing
Notice that the directional control
set pressure slowly until it creeps forward.
valve has ports A and B connected to
When the load starts drifting down slowly, tank in the center condition. There is no
increase pressure until movement stops,
chance of extra pressure buildup in the
then turn the pressure
adjustment another
quarter to half turn
higher. This method of
adjusting usually wastes
less energy and always
stops and holds the load.
An internal and
external pilot-operated
counterbalance valve
lowers loads smoothly
and opens fully when
pressure at the actuator
inlet increases upon
contact with the work.
The valve needs to be
readjusted when loads
change, but this is a small
price to pay for good
control.
Figure 14-10. Air line regulators (or reducing valves)
Figure 14-7 depicts a
5

pilot line while the circuit is at

rest. If ports A or B were blocked,
pressure could build and pilot
the counterbalance valve open,
allowing the cylinder to drift.
Energizing solenoid A1 sends
pump flow to the cylinder cap end.
As pressure builds there, pressure
also increases in the rod end.
When pressure at the cylinder rod
end reaches 100 to 150 psi above
the load-induced pressure, the
cylinder starts to extend as fast as
the pump fills the cap end. When
flow increases, cylinder speed
increases and when flow decreases,
cylinder speed decreases.
As stated in the counterbalance
valve explanation, backpressure
at the cylinder rod end is present
during the entire extend stroke.
As a result, at work contact cylinder force
is reduced by counterbalance pressure
times the cylinders rod-end area. The total
weight of the platen and tooling on a press
plus the amount of added pressure at the
counterbalance valve cannot be used to
do work. Energy is expended to raise the
weight, but it is not recovered during the
work cycle. Energizing solenoid B1 sends
fluid around the counterbalance valve
through the bypass check valve and on to
the cylinder rod end to retract it.
The circuit in Figure 14-8 shows the
same cylinder with an external pilotoperated counterbalance
valve. An externally
piloted valve can be set
at approximately 100
to 200 psi regardless of
load-induced pressure
in the cylinder. This is
especially convenient
in applications where
loads constantly change.
It is also the best use
of energy because the
counterbalance valve
opens fully when the
cylinder meets resistance
so the weight is able to
do some work. Because
backpressure on the
cylinder rod end is zero,
more force is available.
Energizing solenoid

Chapter 14

Figure 14-11. Pneumatic circuit with air-saving

regulator

A1 sends fluid to the cylinders cap end to

start it extending. As pressure builds in the
cylinder cap end, it pressurizes the external
pilot and opens the counterbalance valve
The valve only opens enough to let fluid
out when the cap end is at pilot pressure.
If pilot pressure is set too low, the
counterbalance valve may quickly open
too far allowing the cylinder to run
away and pilot pressure to drop. At this
point, the counterbalance valve shuts
abruptly and the cylinder stops. Almost
immediately, pressure again builds at the
cylinder cap end, the counterbalance valve
reopens, and the same scenario repeats
until the cylinder meets resistance. A
meter-in flow control in the external pilot
line can help, but is very difficult to set.
Energizing solenoid B1 sends fluid around
the counterbalance valve through the
bypass check valve and on to the cylinder
rod end to retract it.
The internal and external pilot-operated
counterbalance valve in Figure 14-9
incorporates the best features of both
valves. The internal pilot provides a
smooth advance stroke at low force, while
the external pilot opens the valve fully to
eliminate backpressure from the cylinder
rod end when it contacts the workpiece.
(Like the internally piloted valve. this
version must be reset at each load change
to maintain its efficiency and keep energy
losses low.)
6

The symbols in these example circuits

show a direct-acting pressure control valve.
Several suppliers offer a pilot-operated
version that is more stable and has less
pressure differential between cracking and
full flow operation.
The circuits shown here work equally
well with hydraulic motors, except that
a counterbalance valve will not stop and
hold an overrunning load on a motor
without creep. All hydraulic motors have
internal leakage that increases as the motor
wears. The counterbalance valve may not
have any bypass, but fluid will slip by the
motor parts no matter what its design.
There are no counterbalance valves for
air circuits. Air circuits depend on meterout flow controls to keep an actuator from
overrunning. Usually an air circuit uses
a 2-position valve that keeps pressure on
the retract side at rest so it stays in place
at end of stroke. When a load must be
stopped in mid-stroke, a 3-position valve
with cylinder ports blocked in center is the
common method of trying to do this. You
could also use a pilot-operated check valve
for air service that gives some control for
stopping and holding a pneumatic cylinder
in mid-stroke.
Air line regulators

Most plant air systems produce pressures

between 90 and 125 psi, whereas most air
circuits are designed to operate at 75 to 85
psi. Other systems may operate at pressures

Figure 14-13. Pilot-operated reducing valve

as low as 15 to 20 psi. To accommodate

these ranges, some method is needed to
reduce the system pressure without wasting
energy. A relief valve that would release
plant air to atmosphere and try to lower the
whole system it is a poor solution.
The air line regulator shown in Figure
14-10 reduces outlet pressure by shutting off
flow when downstream pressure tries to go

Figure 14-12. Dual-pressure hydraulic circuit with two relief valves

Chapter 14

above the regulators setting. There is very

little energy loss because air merely expands
from its elevated pressure to meet the lower
pressure requirement. In other words, an air
compressor operating at 120 psi only has to
run about a third as often when regulated or
reduced to 40 psi.
This points out the main reason why an
air line regulator should be set just high
enough to do the job at hand. Without a
regulator, not only does it cost more to
operate a machine, but the machine tries
to run a repetitive cycle with fluctuating
pressure, therefore different forces and
speeds.
The cutaway views and symbols in Figure
14-10 show two common direct-acting
air line regulators. They are normally
available in sizes from 18-in. through 2-in.
pipe thread. (Larger sizes are built but they
usually are pilot-operated from a small
direct-acting regulator.) Air flows freely
from inlet to outlet until the outlet pressure
reaches the set pressure. The adjustable
spring holds the shut-off valve off its seat by
extending the diaphragm during free flow.
As pressure at the outlet continues to build,
it passes through the pilot passage to the
underside of the diaphragm.
At set pressure, the diaphragm pushes
the adjustable spring back, allowing the
shutoff valve to seat. The light spring
pushes the shut-off valve closed. Pressure
at the outlet now is stable at its reduced
setting as long as the inlet pressure
is equal to or higher than the outlet.
Any pressure drop at the outlet reduces
pressure under the diaphragm and the
adjustable spring again pushes the shut-off
valve open to let more air in.
If there is a possibility of the reduced
pressure line seeing excess pressure for any
reason, use the relieving-type regulator
shown on the right in Figure 14-10. This
valve closes a hole through the diaphragms
center section with the shut-off valves stem.
After reaching set pressure, the shut-off
valve cannot move up. Any extra pressure
buildup under the diaphragm raises its
center section off the shut-off valves stem
and allows air to flow to atmosphere
through the vent hole. This feature should
not be used as a relief valve function where
pressure increases during every cycle it is
only for occasional overpressure situations.
Every pneumatically powered machine
7

Figure 14-14. Dual-pressure hydraulic circuit using a relief valve

should have a regulator set for the lowest

pressure that will produce good products.
Costly overpressure should be eliminated
in every case. Use an air line regulator
anytime a job can be done at a pressure

lower than plant air supply.

Another application for air line
regulators that can save compressor output
is reducing pressure on the return stroke of
actuators that can use low power to retract.

Figure 14-15. Pilot-operated reducing/relieving valves

Chapter 14

Many cylinders need high force to extend

and do work, but the retract portion of
the cycle needs very low force. An air line

regulator positioned as shown in Figure

14-11 can save air during part of every
cycle on many cylinder operations in most

circuits.
A 5-way spool valve, piped with a
dual-pressure inlet as shown, can give

Figure 14-16. Modular sequence, counterbalance, and reducing/relieving valves

8

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Chapter 14

normal cycle time while conserving plant

compressed air. Return pressure is set on
the regulator supplying the cylinder rod
end at the lowest possible pressure that
maintains cycle integrity. A reduction as
small as 20 psi below working pressure
can pay for the regulator in a short time.
Shifting the 5-way valve starts the cylinder
extending. (There will be a brief lunge
as the lower-pressure air in the rod end
compresses to hold back against the higher
pressure in the cap end.) To control cycle
time, adjust cylinder speed with the rodend meter-out flow control. When the
5-way valve shifts again to return the
cylinder, the meter-out flow control on the
cap end must be adjusted for a faster rate
because return power is limited.
Pressure-reducing and
reducing/relieving valves

There are times in multi-actuator

hydraulic circuits when system pressure is
too high for some actuators while others
need maximum force. One suggested
remedy is the circuit in Figure 14-12.
Cylinder 1 needs 2,000 psi to maintain
force, whereas Cylinder 2 can damage the
product when pressure exceeds 800 psi.
Adding Relief valve 2 (set at 800 psi) takes
care of Cylinder 2s overpressure, but limits
the entire circuit to 800 psi. Pressure in
a circuit with more than one relief valve
will never be higher than the setting of the
lowest valve. The correct way to have two
or more pressures in a single circuit is to
incorporate reducing valves. (Figure 14-14
diagrams a circuit using a reducing valve
to give two pressures.)
The cutaway and symbol in Figure
14-13 depicts a pilot-operated reducing
valve that allows flow from the inlet to
the reduced-pressure outlet until pressure
reaches the setting on the direct-acting
relief valve in the pilot section. Unlike
the other four pressure controls (relief,
unloading, sequence, and counterbalance
valves), a reducing valve is normally open
and blocks flow at set pressure.
The normally closed direct-acting relief
valve in the pilot section traps fluid from

the reduced-pressure outlet port through

the control orifice on top of the spool
when pressure is below its setting. The
spool stays in the normally open position
because pressure on both ends balances it
hydraulically while the light spring keeps it
pushed down.
As pressure at the reduced-pressure
outlet port continues to increase, it finally
starts to open the direct-acting relief valve
in the pilot section. Some fluid then flows
to tank through the drain port. When
flow through the direct-acting relief
valve is more that the control orifice can
handle, pressure on top of the spool drops
and pressure on the bottom of the spool
pushes it closed. The spool never closes
completely because fluid flows through the
drain port any time pressure at the outlet is
lower than at the inlet.
Drain port flow amounts to about 60 to
90 in.3/min. This flow is all wasted energy
and it can cause a system to overheat if
more reducing valves are installed than
necessary. When pressure drops below the
direct-acting relief valves setting in the
pilot section, the valve closes and forces
the spool to the open position.
A reducing valve is normally open,
so it appears reverse flow should not be
a problem. However, when the valve is
working, it is almost closed and it
can be held closed by back flow when
the actuator starts to return. Any time
a reducing valve must pass reverse flow,
select a valve with an integral bypass check
valve to eliminate the possibility of blocked
return flow.
It also is important to have a freeflow drain port with very low or no
backpressure. Backpressure in the drain
port adds to the setting of the direct-acting
relief valve and can cause erratic results
when drain pressure fluctuates. (Fluid
Power Circuits Explained discusses how
this drain port can be used advantageously
in a dual-pressure circuit.
The modified circuit in Fig, 14-14
allows two pressures without lowering
system pressure (as happened in Figure
14-13). A pressure-reducing valve in place

of Relief valve 2 makes it possible to set

pressure for Cylinder 2 without affecting
pressure at Cylinder 1. This reducing valve
never has reverse flow so a bypass check
valve is not required.
When it is working, a reducing valve
is nearly closed and will pass very little
reverse drain flow unless it has a bypass
check valve. Even then, reverse flow must
be at a pressure greater than that at the
inlet. If this much pressure cannot be
tolerated, use the reducing/relieving valve
depicted in Figure 14-15.
Reducing/relieving valves function
exactly like reducing valves until an
external force starts to increase pressure
at the reduced-pressure outlet above the
pressure set by the pilot section. When
outlet pressure is 4 to 6% above set
pressure, the spool moves up until the
outlet is connected to tank. Any fluid at
pressure above set pressure returns to
tank, so outlet pressure does not continue
to climb. Tank flow comes only from the
reduced-pressure outlet, not from the
pump through the inlet. When excess
pressure at the outlet drops, the reducing/
relieving valve continues to perform its
reducing function.
Note that the left cutaway view has an
internal drain for the pilot section. This
saves connecting a separate drain line for
pilot flow. However, when backpressure
in the tank line is high or may fluctuate
due to other return functions, it adds to
the pilot-section setting and can elevate
pressure at the reduced-pressure outlet
above allowable rates. When tank-line
backpressure may be high or when
pressure fluctuations cannot be tolerated,
use a valve with an external drain. When
reverse flow is necessary, specify a model
with an integral bypass check valve for
piping convenience.
Figure 14-16 shows most of the modular
valve configurations for sequence,
counterbalance, and reducing valves.
Modular valves simplify piping and
eliminate many connections that can
generate backpressure or add potential
leakage points.
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Quiz on next page

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Chapter 14

uiz on Chapter 14.

Sequence Valves and Reducing Valves
1. An air line regulator is:
normally open
normally closed
normally neutral
2. An air sequence valve is usually a:
pilot-operated 3-way valve
pilot-operated 4-way valve
pilot-operated 5-way valve
3. Hydraulic sequence valves are normally used in
conjunction with:
multi-cylinder circuits with flow control valves
multi-cylinder circuits and a single directional control
valve
multi-cylinder circuits in place of a relief valve
4. Hydraulic kick-down sequence valves :
open at set pressure and maintain inlet pressure
open at set pressure and drop inlet pressure to outlet port
pressure
close at set pressure

they never need to be re-adjusted at load change

smooth, controlled extend action of the load
6. Externally piloted counterbalance valves:
drop all backpressure at load contact
must be adjusted for load changes
have very smooth and controlled action during extension
7. Hydraulic reducing valves maintain pressure by:
opening when reaching set pressure
closing when reaching set pressure
sending fluid to tank at set pressure
8. Hydraulic reducing valves:
never need a bypass check valve
always need a bypass check valve
need a bypass check valve when flow must be reversed
9. Hydraulic reducing relieving valves:
send pump flow to tank just above set pressure
send actuator flow to tank at pressure just above set pressure
never send any system flow to tank
10. This symbol is for a:
sequence valve
counterbalance valve
reducing valve

5. Internally piloted counterbalance valves main advantage

is:
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jerky action as the load is lowered

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