If you’ve ever wondered what a valve manifold is and how they work, then Fluid Controls can give you some pointers in our latest blog. Here, we’ll talk you through the design and functions of regular valve manifolds, as well as explaining their advantages and some of the key features of our range of manifold products from Parker.

Understanding valve manifolds

Firstly, we must gather a basic understanding of what a valve manifold is. A manifold is a device that connects one or more block/isolate valves of a hydraulic system. Valves of a hydraulic system can include a ball, needle, bleed and vent valves. In the case of a block and bleed manifold, the purpose is to ensure that the fluids from upstream do not come into contact with the components from downstream. This is achieved through isolating the flow of the fluid in the system.

The design and functions of a valve manifold

Your typical Parker valve manifold will consist of the following key design features:

• T bar for ease of operation.
• Gland packing adjuster to adjust gland wear compensation.
• Valve bonnet with replaceable bonnet sealing washer arrangement.
• Anti-rotational thrust brush to ensure uniform packing compression, maximising pressure tight sealing and limiting cold flow passages.
• Bonnet/body washer ensuring complete atmospheric leakage and allowing on-site retrofit of bonnets with 100% re-sealing assurance.
• Dual cap serving two purposes: firstly, it prevents airborne debris from contaminating the operating spindle thread and secondly, it provides a colour-coded functional identification.
• Gland adjuster lock nut that prevents the inadvertent gland adjuster loosening.
• Anti-blowout spindle designed for low torque operation with high quality micro mirror stem finish for positive gland sealing.
• Gland packing to provide maximum sealing with minimum air adjustment.
• Spindle tip which gives a bubble tight shut off to ensure the user of a leakage free performance and downstream functional safety.

These features of our parker valve manifolds can vary slightly depending on what valve manifold you choose of course.

Advantages of using a valve manifold

Valve manifolds can be useful in many situations, from small mobile machines to heavy industrial plants. Centring any fluid power system, valve manifolds improve efficiency, and reduce energy costs. Here are a few more benefits of valve manifolds:

• Increased energy efficiency with shorter flow paths that minimise pressure drop and heat.
• Reduced installation costs and fluid connections due to simpler compact design.
• Reduced oil leaks and upkeep with less connections that can fatigue, wear and loosen.
• Small and compact sizes with cartridge valve design to suit confined spaces.
• Improved overall layout with less cumbersome hoses and fluid connections.

Why not read our latest blog entitled ‘Introducing the Parker Pro-Bloc Manifold’ for more product specific information about our premium Parker valve manifolds.

If you would like help from one of our experts to determine which valve manifold you need, then please call us on +44(0) 1189 70 2060. Alternatively, you can email us at fluid@fluidcontrols.co.uk.