SYMBOLS

( IN THE HYDRAULIC CIRCUITS )

 Symbol in the Pressurized
fluid circuits

Symbol
• What are meant by
such figures as shown
at the left can be seen
at once even by those
children who are
unable to read words.
These figures are
symbols.
• Traffic signs are given
by symbols
Traffic sign
• “BICYCLES ARE
ALLOWED TO PASS
THROUGH” will be of no
use, as a motor car runs
fast before its driver can
saved through the board.
• What is meant by a
symbol can be
understood at a glance.
• If a mean is driving a car
on the road without
regard to a traffic sign
board standing on the
roadside, he will be
caught by a traffic
policeman
 Electrical wiring

• In the field of
engineering, symbols
can not be dispensed
with. The most popular
symbols are found in
the electrical wiring.
For examples, the
upper symbol at the
right indicates a
switch. The lower one
implies a resistor.
Control valve

• This is the cross-sectional view of a control

valve. What is its function? Its function cannot
be understood by taking a glance at this view.
Let us consider by imaging its movement to
ourselves. Its symbol can be understood very
easily.
• Now, let us explain the symbols used in the
pressurized fluid circuits.
Symbols
• The circuit diagram indicates only the
paths of fluid flow. Symbols used in the
circuit diagram indicate functions only,
but do not indicate constructions, sizes,
etc. Symbols in the circuit diagram can
be written sideways, inversely or by
turning them over as shown below.
Pipes
• A pipe is indicated simply by one
solid line.

• This symbol ( a broken lines )

indicates a drain pipe to
discriminate it from the main pipe

• This is a flexible pipe like a hose

to discriminate it from a steel or
copper pipe.
Pipes ( Cont.)
• All these symbols indicate the
direction of fluid flow in the pipe .
However, a symbol indicates
the direction of flow of fluid like oil
and a symbol indicate the
direction of flow of gas like air.

• There are many symbols showing

constructions. This is a symbol
showing the construction where
the amount of flow is restricted by
throttling the path of flow on the
way.
Pipe connections

• These symbols indicate

that two pipes are just
crossing over each other
and not connected to each
other.

• These symbols indicate

that two pipes are
connected through to each
other.
Tank
• These symbol is used it
indicate that a pipe is
connected to the tank and one
end of the pipe is located
above the oil level in the tank.

• This symbol indicates that one

of a pipe is immersed in the oil
. ( NOTE : When one end of a
pipe is above the oil surface in
the tank , this symbol is
sometimes used to indicate
that the pipe is connected to a
tank.
Pipe Coupling
• This is a pipe coupling . Just both
end fittings into each other will
connect two pipes to each other.
Holding both pipes on their end
fittings and pulling them will
disconnect them from each other.
Then the port in each end will be
closed at once to prevent the
flowing of oil out of the port. This
is a pipe coupling easy to connect
or disconnect two pipes.
• This symbol indicates the pipe
end to which is attached the mate
fitting to a coupling.
• This symbol is used where two
pipes are connected to each
other by using a coupling.
Take-off port & Instrument
• This is a take-off port. This port
is normally kept closed.

• This symbol is used where a

pressure gauge is connected to
the circuit at a take-off port.

• This is a pressure gauge.

• This is a temperature gauge.

Pump, Compressor, Motor
• This is a hydraulic pump.
Indicates a discharge port.

• This is an air compressor. This

symbol is different only in a
discharge port from a hydraulic
pump.

• This is a hydraulic motor .The

direction of each discharge port
is opposite to that in a hydraulic
pump. Depending on which is an
oil discharge port of the two
, the directions of rotation are
determined so as to be opposite
to each other.
Engine

• This is an engine.

• This is an example of
combination between the
symbols of engine an hydraulic
pump to indicate the hydraulic
pump driven by the engine.
Cylinder

• This is a cylinder

• This is a diaphragm type

cylinder.
Filter & Cooler

• This is a filter.

• This is a cooler.

• This is a cooler connected

with the cooling water
piping.
Application
• The high-pressure hoses
are connected to a cylinder.
Hence, the cylinder is free
to move.

• This is a control valve. Its

symbol will be explained
later. Here, trace the path of
flow of oil.

• An oil pressure gauge is

connected to the circuit at
the take-off port. It
measures the oil pressure in
the circuit.
Application ( Cont.)
• This is an oil filter provided
with a bypass valve. The
symbol for the valve will be
also explained late. So long
as the filter is not clogged, the
valve does not open, which in
turn makes the oil flow only in
the circuit through the filter.
• This is a pressure regulating
valve. The symbol for this
valve will be explained later.
Oil in the circuit is not
pressurized and then, this
regulating valve is closed and
oil does not flow back to the
tank through the valve.
Application 1
• Many symbols used in the fluid circuit
diagrams have so far been
introduced. Now let us make
exercises to learn how to read
symbols by referring to an actual
hydraulic circuit.( This circuit diagram
is a hydraulic for the dozer equipment
of the KO: D20A-2 bulldozer )
• 1. Look at the circuit . Oil flows
through this circuit.
• 2. Find out a pump. It is driven by an
engine.
• 3. The suction port of pump is
connected to the tank and oil is drawn
into the pump through this suction
port.
• 4. Oil flowing out of the pump is
delivered to the control valve through
the filter. From the valve, oil flows
back to the tank.
• 5. In effect, oil is circulating through
circuit without building up the oil
pressure.
Check valve
• A check valve opens only
when the fluid flows in the
arrowhead direction.
• This is the simplest example
of a check valve. This symbol
for a check valve is made in
imitation of valve figure.
• This valve can be used as a
suction valve with the same
functions as a check valve.
Thus, the symbol for a suction
valve also remains the same
 Check valve & Throttle

• This symbol indicates a check valve in combustion with a throttle

provided in parallel. Much oil flows in the arrowhead direction
through the opening in the valve, but less oil flows in an opposite
direction through the throttle.
• The symbol for the above have also consists of the symbols for
check valve and throttle.
 Pressure regulating valve

• This is one of the valves serving to keep the oil or air

pressure below a pre-determined level. It opens at
the pressures exceeding the set pressure, allowable
the oil or air to escape through it.
• This symbol is used to indicate a pressure regulating
valve , safety valve, relief valve, etc.
In the above symbol
• This section indicate that the
valve is normally closed.

• This symbol implies that the

valve is opened.

• This symbol implies that the

valve is kept closed under the
thrust of spring.
In the above symbol (Cont.)
• At pressure exceeding the
preset pressure, the valve
is opened, because the
thrust of spring is
overcome by the fluid
pressure.
• When the air flows out into
the atmosphere, a symbol
is used.
In the above symbol (Cont.)
• This is a bypass valve provided in
the filter. If the filter element is
clogged so as to give a large
difference in pressure valves in the
circuits before and after the
element, the valve will be opened
to allow the oil to flow through.
That is the valve is actuated under
a differential pressure and its
symbol implied this function.

• This symbol indicates a stop valve

or a cock.
 Application
• The oil delivered from • The oil on the side
the pump to the control opposite to the
valve through the filter cylinder flows back to
is further fed to the the tank.
cylinder through the
check valve in the
control valve, causing
the blade to rise
• When the engine
stops, the blade is
going to lower under;
its weight. The oil
trying to flow back is
stopped flowing by a
check valve, disabling
the blade to lower.
 Application
• If the filter is clogged,
a difference in
pressure in the circuits
before and after the
filter will be increased,
causing the bypass
valve to open, which
will in turn allow the oil
to flow without passing
through the element.
Application
• Where the blade goes up to
the extreme, no more oil
flows into the cylinder. Thus
there is no room wide
enough receive the oil,
causing the oil pressure to
rise. In the oil pressure
exceeding the set value, the
pressure regulating valve will
open, allowing the oil to flow
into the tank to maintain the
oil pressure at or below the
set pressure value.
• When the oil pressure rises
abruptly for a certain reason,
too, the regulating valve
serves to keep the oil
pressure at or below the
preset pressure value.
 Application 2
• This is the same circuit as given in Application 1 ,
excepting that the control valve is in the “ RISE “
position.
Control valve • Control valves have different
symbols according to their
different constructions. This
is a symbol for a simple
control valve.
• The paths P and A are
closed and not opened to
each other. A symbol T
indicates a blind path. The
paths P and A are not
opened to each other.
• The valve is moved so that
the paths are opened to
each other. This symbol
indicates the valve
movement ( actuation ). The
arrowhead indicates the
direction of flow.
• Normally, the movement of
valve is indicated in this way
Control valve
• This symbol indicates a control
valve to be actuated by a man
( by hand )
• This symbol indicates a control
valve to be actuated by foot to
discriminate from a hand-
operated control valve.
• This symbol is mechanically
operated pilot valve.

• This is a control valve provided

with a return spring.

• This is a control valve provide

with a locating notch ( detent )
Control valve
• This is a somewhat complicated
control valve. The paths P and A
are opened to each other. The
path is closed.

• The valve is operated so that the

path P is close, where as the
paths A and T are opened to
each other.
 Control valve

• This is a control valve used in the hydraulic

system for the dozer equipment of KO: D80
bulldozer. This symbol explains the function of
valve very simply as compared with the valve
construction. Familiarize yourselves with the
symbols by making a comparison between
the cross-sectional view and the symbol.
 Control valve
• The valve is in the
HOLD position
To Tank
where the dozer
equipment is held
stationary.
Fr. Pump

Fr. Cylinder To Cylinder • The valve is such

To Tank a state as to RAISE
the dozer
equipment.
Fr. Pump
 Control valve
To Cylinder Fr. Cylinder
• The valve is in
such a state as to
To Tank LOWER the dozer
equipment.
Fr. Pump

Cylinder • The valve is in the

To Tank FLOAT position
where the dozer
equipment is rested
Fr. Pump
on ground.
Application 3
• We have just learned
the control valves in
the hydraulic system
for the dozer
equipment on the
KO: D80A bulldozer.
Then, let us see the
hydraulic circuit of
the D80A bulldozer.
Examine the function
of the hydraulic
circuit with respect to
the following points
by changing the
position of control
valve.
Application 3 ( Cont. )
• 1. Where the
control valve is in
the HOLD position,
a. Does the blade
move? Why?
b. How does the oil
flow from the
pump?
• 2. How does the oil
flow while the blade
is going up?
Application 3 ( Cont. )
• 3. How does the
oil flow when the
blade is at its
upward stroke
end?
• 4. In what
condition will the
blade be placed, if
the engine stops
while the blade is
going up?
Application 3 ( Cont. )
• 5. How does the
oil flow while the
blade is lowering?
• 6. How does the
oil flow when the
blade is at its
down stroke end?
• 7. Will the blade
be raised, if it is
pushed up by an
abnormal force
during its lowing?
Application 3 ( Cont. )
• 8. In what condition
will the blade be
placed, if the control
valve is in the FLOAT
position? Why?
• 9. Where a machine
is backing with the
control valve in the
FLOAT position; if
the blade goes up
and down abruptly
along the ground
surface, will the
negative pressure be
created in the
cylinder?
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. Where the control valve is in the HOLD position,
a. Does the blade move? Why?
b. How does the oil flow from the pump?

• 1a. The blade is

held stationary,
because no oil in
the cylinder can
flow out, enabling
the piston to
move.
Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. Where the control valve is in
the HOLD position,
a. Does the blade move?
Why?
b. How does the oil flow
from the pump?

• 1b. The oil flows

from the tank to
the pump, control
valve and filter,
and then back to
the tank.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. How does the oil flow while
the blade is going up?
Q. How does the oil flow
while the blade is lowering?
• 2&5. The oil flows
from the tank to the
cylinder through the
pump and control
valve in this order.
The oil on the
opposite side of
piston in the
cylinder flows from
the cylinder to the
tank through the
control valve and
filter in this order.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. How does the oil flow when the
blade is at its upward stroke end?
Q. How does the oil flow when the
blade is at its down stroke end?
• 3&6. The oil flows from
the tank to the pump
and the pressure
regulating valve, and
then back to the tank.
The oil pressure at this
time is equal to the set
pressure by the
regulating valve.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. In what condition will the blade be placed, if the engine stops
while the blade is going up?

• 4. The blade will

stop at once and
never go down.
The oil in the
cylinder will be
prevented from
flowing back to the
tank by means of
a check valve.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
• 7. The blade will not go Q. Will the blade be raised, if it is
up. The oil pressure pushed up by an abnormal force
developed in the pump during its lowing?
will not exceed the set
value by the pressure
regulating valve. If the
oil pressure in the
cylinder exceeds the
set pressure due to the
pushing-up force, the
oil will try to flow back,
which will be prevented
by the check valve,
enabling the blade to
go up. At this time, the
oil discharged form the
pump will flow back to
the tank through the
regulating valve.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
Q. In what condition will the blade be placed, if the control valve is
in the FLOAT position? Why?

• 8. The blade is
rested on ground,
because both
sections inside
the cylinder are
opened through to
the tank. The
blade will be
lowered under its
own weight.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )
 Q. Where a machine is backing with the control valve in the
FLOAT position; if the blade goes up and down abruptly along the
ground surface, will the negative pressure be created in the cylinder?

• 9. No negative
pressure is created
. If the amount of oil
flowing into the
cylinder as a result
of the abrupt
movement of piston
is not satisfied with
the oil fed in from
the pump, the
suction valve will
open so as to draw
up the oil directly
from the pump.
 Application 3 ( Cont. )

• This suction
valve is not
required under
the standard
machine
specifications.
But it will be
required, if the
ripper is attached
to the machine.
 Application 4
• The following is the Section for lifting function

hydraulic circuit
diagram of dozer
shovel, which
circuit is so Section for tilting function

complexity that you

would be mixed up
to understand.
Therefore, the Section for pressure
buildup and regulation
circuit is illustrated
In this circuit, the oil will not
independent by on flow into the lifting circuit
section from the pump, unless
each function to the tilt control valve is the
HOLD position
understand easily
Dozer Shovel Control Valve
Lift control valve

Hold Raise

Tilt control valve

Hold Tilt
Set pressure & Negative pressure

Set pressure 140kg/cm2

For regulating
the pressure
 Re-examine
Section for lifting function

• According to the above circuit diagram, re-

examine the following functions.
• Flow of the oil in various positions of the
tilt control valve.
Section for tilting function
• Flow of the oil in various positions of the
tilt control valve with the lift control valve
in the HOLD, RAISE and LOWER positions,
respectively.
• According to the circuit diagram, re-
examine the following functions.
• Function of valve when a large external
force is given to the bucket.
• Function of valve when the bucket is
abruptly place in motion. Section for pressure
buildup and regulation
 Re-examine ( Cont. )
• According to the Section for lifting function
circuit diagram, re-
examine the
following
functions. Section for tilting function

• Function of valve
when a large
external force is
given to the
Section for pressure
bucket. buildup and regulation

• Function of valve
when the bucket is
abruptly place in
motion.
 Dozer Hydraulic Circuit

1. Where the control valve is in the HOLD position,

a. Does the blade move? Why?
b. How does the oil flow from the pump?
2. How doesthe
3. How does theoil
oilflow
flowwhen
while the
the blade
blade is
is at
going up? stroke end?
its upward
4. In what condition will the blade be placed, if the engine stops while the blade is going up?
5. How does the oil flow while the blade is lowering?
6. How does the oil flow when the blade is at its down stroke end?
7.
8. Will the condition
In what blade be raised,
will the ifblade
it is pushed up by
be placed, an control
if the abnormal force
valve during
is in its lowing?
the FLOAT position? Why?
9. Where a machine is backing with the control valve in the FLOAT position; if the blade goes up and down abruptly along the ground
surface, will the negative pressure be created in the cylinder?
 Throttle
Check valve & Throttle

Pressure regulating valve Filter with bypass valve

Control valve
Fr. Cylinder To Cylinder

To Tank

Fr. Pump

RAISE

Float
 Section for lifting function

Section for tilting function

Section for pressure buildup

and regulation

In this circuit, the oil will not flow into the

lifting circuit section from the pump,
unless the tilt control valve is the HOLD
position

Hydraulic circuit diagram of dozer shovel

THE END