Hydraulic flow dividers description, functions and usage

Hydraulic flow dividers description, functions and usage

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Hydraulic flow dividersdescription, functions and usage

Hydraulic flow dividers are devices used for division of input flows in at least two sub-flows. However, they can also be used for combining sub-flows in 1 flow. For this reason, they are often called ‘flow dividers/combiners’.

Flow dividers, widely used in hydraulic systems of various machines, enable to maintain pressure in all outlets what allows to use less pumps for the same purposes.

Classification, structure and application of flow dividers are briefly presented below.

Types and structure of flow dividers

There are distinguished 2 types of hydraulic flow dividers:

  • sliding spool (or: split-type) dividers

  • rotary dividers (they are usually gear dividers).

All flow dividers feature heavy-duty casings, as they have to stand a very high pressure. Dividers and casings are made of hardened steel or aluminium. Sliding spool dividers have 2 outlets, rotary ones are usually equipped with 6 to 8 outlets.

Both types differ in mechanical parameters as well as accuracy, a range of flow and precision. In general, rotary dividers are more rugged, resistant to contamination, have better parameters so in effect they are more efficient.

For all these reasons, both choosing of a proper type of a flow divider and applying it require some technical knowledge.

Principle of operation of flow dividers

A principle of operation of flow dividers is quite simple: fluids from a source are pumped through a valve into a divider and then a flow is divided in 2 or more sub-flows which then are flowing through 2 or more paths (outlets). Sliding spool dividers feature division of a flow into 2 equal sub-flows, which cannot be regulated. Rotary dividers allow to divide working streams into two or more sub-flows which additionally can be regulated.

Hydraulic flow dividers can also work in a reversed order i.e. 2 or more entering flows (streams) are combined into 1 flow.

Usage of hydraulic flow dividers

Hydraulic flow dividers are used in hydraulic systems of e.g. agriculture, construction and industry machines. Rotary dividers are especially useful when two or more identical hydraulic cylinders or other devices, working independently and powered from one pump, have to work at even pace e.g. when they have to come out with the same speed and pressure in spite of different weight they have to move, like in case of unevenly loaded lorries.

If applicable or in case of necessity, flow dividers also enable creation of 2 or more independent hydraulic systems powered only by one pump, what significantly reduces energy consumption and costs.

Summary

Application of flow dividers have a lot of advantages. The most important ones are saving of space and costs as only one pump is required. Moreover, flow dividers also allow to use two or more separate hydraulic circuits simultaneously as changing loads in one circuit does not affect parametres of pressure or flow in other circuits.

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