Hydraulic systems are used by diverse industries to keep machinery operational and fulfill essential industrial roles. But without the right equipment in place, these systems would be unable to function, and hydraulic check valves represent core components.
Hydraulic check valves, or non-return valves (NRV), permit the free flow of liquids in a specific direction, blocking a reversal of flow that would inhibit operation. These tools play crucial roles in maintaining fluid movement direction as well as controlling pressure and flow rate within hydraulic systems.
How Hydraulic Check Valves Work
Hydraulic check valves feature a housing that contains inlet/outlet ports with a moveable element, which can either be a disc- or cone-shaped poppet or, in some cases, a ball.
Fluid pressure placed within the system will push the poppet or ball away, allowing the flow of liquid to commence. Reverse flow, or backflow, results in the poppet or ball being pushed against its seat, forming a seal that prevents movement in the unwanted direction. A spring will be used, in most cases to aid in the quick and effective closure of the unit.
To ensure unidirectional flow, installation of the check valve within a hydraulic system must be conducted so that the valve is correctly oriented.
Applications of Hydraulic Check Valves
Check valves ensure the continued, successful operation of hydraulics systems, and they facilitate key functionalities like:
- Preventing pressure spikes – Rapid pressure increases, such as those two to three times the pressure of a normal flow, can cause damage to pump components, and hydraulic check valves mitigate this possibility.
- Inhibiting line draining – When hydraulic systems are not in use, they still need to be in a state of readiness and fluid levels need to be maintained. Check valves help to avoid air ingress, vacuuming, and issues during restart.
- Protecting accumulators – Check valves also block pressurized fluid from an accumulator and causing reverse pump rotation when the machinery is turned off.
- Preventing flow to offline pumps – Having a check valve in place at each hydraulic pump’s outlet port prevents flow from the online pump to the offline pump, blocking reverse rotation.
Maintenance Best Practices for Check Valves
To keep your equipment in the best condition possible, you will want to ensure the following is conducted:
- Regular inspections – Be sure to create a schedule for visual inspections of check valves and other components to look for any leaks, physical damage, or signs of wear.
- Performance monitoring – You will want to continuously monitor system pressure, flow rates, and operating temperatures to uncover any issues or anomalies that could lead to a failing check valve. This can include unusual pressure drops or surges.
- Fluid quality management – All hydraulic fluid should be clean and free of contaminants, because any particulates could cause poppets to not open and close correctly or inhibit sealing, which in turn can cause leaks and flow problems.
Our Plastic Check Valves for Hydraulics Equipment
Our low-flow, low-pressure relief and check valves are available in many styles, including:
- Series 100 standard cartridge check valves
- Series 100 specialty cartridge check valves
- Series 200 NPT and metric check valves
- Series 300 modular check valves
- Series 500 miniature modular check valves
Along with this, all of our check valves can be tailored to meet specific needs for valve operation, plastic body materials, O-ring materials, and spring pressure.
How Smart Products USA Stands Out
Our team is dedicated to providing our customers with the best service and products, and companies that work with us benefit from our:
- Custom built plastic check valves that are made in the USA and undergo strict sampling and testing processes
- Capabilities in supplying millions of possible configurations for products, with customization and accommodations available to meet regulatory needs
- National and international shipping
- ISO 9001:2015 certification
Contact Smart Products Today
If you need reliable plastic check valves for hydraulics from industry experts, contact the team at Smart Products USA. We’re ready to assess your project and find solutions!
