Flow regulators are called flow control valves or flow regulators (also called flow-through valve or throttle valve). These valves are used to regulate the flow rate of the medium used. Flow control valves are used in hydraulics and pneumatics to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid or compressed air.
Flow control valves are divided into:
With a throttle valve, the greater the pressure difference, the greater the volumetric flow rate, since the volumetric flow rate depends on the differential pressure at the throttle point.
In contrast, a flow regulator (volume control valve) operates using pressure compensation. This ensures that the set volumetric flow rate remains unchanged even if the pressure level across the valve changes.
Festo offers a wide range of flow control valves for industrial and process automation. Discover our portfolio of flow control valves: throttle valves, one-way flow control valves and time delay valves.
Throttle valves are part of the category of flow control valves. They restrict the flow of the compressed air in the flow direction. A throttle valve is used to regulate volumetric flow rates. The restrictor creates a narrowing of the line's cross-section – it is a localised flow resistance.
With one-way flow control valves, the flow in one direction is restricted, and is free in the other. One-way flow control valves are used to adjust the speed of pneumatic cylinders, while flow control valves, on the other hand, are used to adjust the flow of air or a fluid.
Time delay valves switch over after a signal has been output and once a preset time has elapsed. They are used in simple pneumatic controllers, in addition to, among others, logic valves.
Recommended Festo flow control valves for production facilities for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries.
Metals with copper, zinc or nickel as the main constituent are excluded from use.Exceptions are nickel in steels, chemically nickel-plated surfaces, printed circuitboards, cables, electrical plug connectors and coils.
Flow control valves are used to adjust the speed of a cylinder or the rotational speed of a motor. Both variables depend on the volumetric flow rate, which must be adjusted.
A flow control valve works on the basis of pressure compensation. This means that the set volumetric flow rate remains unchanged even if the pressure level across the valve changes.
A one-way flow control valve ensures that the medium (gas or liquid) only flows in one direction and cannot flow back. One-way flow control valves open automatically as soon as the liquid or gas begins to flow. When the direction of the flow changes, the valve closes.