Flow Control Valve Test

1. Select the 'Uncontrolled cylinder drop' from drop-down menu 2. Click the question mark (?) and sound button for additional advice.

♦ Raise and lower the cylinder

♦ Observe how the cylinder falls dangerously without any flow control.

2. Select the 'Meter-out flow control' from drop-down menu 3.

♦ Raise and lower the cylinder with the meter-out flow control valve operating.

♦ Observe how the cylinder is now lowered safely.

♦ Observe that the raise and lower orifice sizes are different.

♦ Note which orifice controls the raise and which orifice the lower speeds.

♦ Change the load on the cylinder.

♦ Observe how the line pressures vary with different cylinder loads

♦ Observe how the line pressures and cylinder speeds vary with different flow settings.

3. Click the rounded barrel recycle button above the FCV to select the 'Meter-in flow control'.

♦ Note which orifice controls the raise and which the lower speeds.

♦ Observe how the cylinder lowering is not properly controlled.

♦ Change the load on the cylinder.

♦ Observe how the line pressures vary with different cylinder loads and flow settings.

Experiment 1: Flow control valves can be used in meter-in or meter-out configurations.

Question 1: Which is the more commonly used and why?

Meter-out is more common because it holds the cylinder and load under pressure and therefore in control.

Experiment 2: Pressure compensated valves maintain a constant pressure drop across them and therefore maintain a relatively constant flow.

Question 2: What is the most likely reason a pressure compensated valve is used?

To maintain a constant speed which the load pressure changes.

Experiment 3: Flow control valves can cost a few pence to several hundred Dollars

Question 3: What benefits are likely from using the more expensive versions?

Higher quality valves typically have better temperature and pressure compensation.

Experiment with flow control valves