Cartridge Valve Introduction
- Each Comatrol cartridge valve fits a Comatrol standard cavity. These cavities are designed around SAE or metric standard o-ring straight thread ports. In many cases these cavities are interchangeable with cavities used by other manufacturers. See catalog sheets for details. The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) and International Standards Organization (ISO) are developing a standard, NFPA T3.5.31M-19XX, that will define an industry-wide set of standard cavities. Comatrol will manufacture cartridge valves for NFPA cavities upon formal approval of the standard.
- The pressure rating is based on NFPA fatigue test standards and a burst test at least 3:1 safety factor.
- The flow rating is based on the flow at a pressure drop of 7 bar [100 psi] for directional valves or a pressure rise or drop of 7 bar [100 psi] for pressure relief and reducing valves, with 32 mm2/s (cSt) [151 SUS] fluid. Note that for many valves this flow can be exceeded if the penalties of higher pressure drop and the associated heat generation are acceptable. The exceptions to this are solenoid-operated spool type directional valves and proportional flow control valves where the flow ratings indicate a performance limit.
- The solenoid voltage is a nominal value. All solenoid valves are designed to operate at 85% of nominal voltage with full rated flow and pressure and at an ambient temperature of 60 °C [140 °F].
- Pressure settings for check, relief, reducing, sequence, and motion control valves, commonly referred to as the crack pressure, are set at a flow rate of 0.95 L/min [0.25 gpm] through the valve.
- Leakage is generally measured at rated pressure limits or in the case of relief and motion control valves at 70-80% of crack pressure setting, with 32 mm2/s (cSt) [151 SUS] fluid. See individual catalog sheets for details.
- Temperature ratings vary by model and options. Seal materials provide ranges of ‑40 °C to 100 °C [‑40° F to 212 °F] (buna-n or polyurethane) or ‑26 °C to 204 °C [‑15 °F to 400 °F] (viton). The recommended minimum fluid viscosity is 12 mm2/s (cSt) [66 SUS] which will override the maximum seal temperature limit for most fluids. Solenoid valves are rated for 60 °C [140 °F] maximum ambient temperature for continuous duty. Consult factory for extreme applications.
Fluid Recommendations
Ratings and performance data for cartridge valves are based on operating with premium hydraulic fluids containing oxidation, rust, and foam inhibitors.
These premium fluids include premium turbine oils, API CD engine oils per SAE J183, M2C33F or G automatic transmission fluids (ATF), Dexron II (ATF) meeting Allison C-3 or Caterpillar TO-2 requirements, and certain specialty agriculture tractor fluids. For further information see Comatrol publication 520L0463, Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants, and publication 520L0465, Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluids Applications.
Never mix hydraulic fluids.
Product performance will generally be within catalog limits with fluids meeting the recommended viscosity limits shown below.
Product can be operated at viscosities outside the recommended limits, however performance may be greatly degraded. Extreme conditions must be evaluated by the user to determine acceptibility of product performance.
Contact your Comatrol representative for more information regarding fluids.
Filtration Recommendations
It is imperative that only clean oil be used with cartridge valves to maintain valve operation and prevent premature wear. System filtration capable ofcontrolling the fluid cleanliness to the limits shown below is required.
The selection of filters depends on a number of factors including the contamination ingression rate and the desired maintenance interval. Filters are selected to meet the below requirements using rating parameters of efficiency and capacity.
Filter efficiency may be measured using a Beta (β) ratio.* A filter with a β-ratio within the range of β10=10 is typically required.
Since each system is unique, the filtration requirement for that system will be unique and must be determined by test in each case. It is essential that monitoring of prototypes and evaluation of components and performance throughout the test program be the final criteria for judging theadequacy of the filtration system. For further information see Comatrol publication 520L467, Design Guidelines for Hydraulic Fluid Cleanliness
Applications.
Standard Pressure Settings
The tables below detail coding for standard pressure settings. Use these tables for when filling in valve ordering options for valves with selectable pressure settings. Use the table on this page for valves that specify pressure in psi—typically those beginning with the letters CP. Use the table on the next page for valves that specify pressure in bar—typically those that do not begin with the letters CP.
Standard settings for valves set in psi | |||
Crack Pressure (code x 10 = psi) |
Crack Pressure, psi [bar] |
Crack Pressure (code x 10 = psi) |
Crack Pressure, psi [bar] |
001 | 10 psi [0.69 bar] | 150 | 1500 psi [103 bar] |
002 | 20 psi [1.38 bar] | 160 | 1600 psi [110 bar] |
003 | 30 psi [2.07 bar] | 170 | 1700 psi [117 bar] |
004 | 40 psi [2.76 bar] | 180 | 1800 psi [124 bar] |
005 | 50 psi [3.45 bar] | 190 | 1900 psi [131 bar] |
006 | 60 psi [4.14 bar] | 200 | 2000 psi [138 bar] |
007 | 70 psi [4.83 bar] | 210 | 2100 psi [145 bar] |
008 | 80 psi [5.52 bar] | 220 | 2200 psi [152 bar] |
009 | 90 psi [6.21 bar] | 230 | 2300 psi [159 bar] |
010 | 100 psi [6.9 bar] | 240 | 2400 psi [166 bar] |
012 | 120 psi [8.28 bar] | 250 | 2500 psi [172 bar] |
014 | 140 psi [9.66 bar] | 260 | 2600 psi [179 bar] |
015 | 150 psi [10.34 bar] |
270 |
2700 psi [186 bar] |
016 | 160 psi [11.0 bar] | 280 | 2800 psi [193 bar] |
018 | 180 psi [12.4 bar] | 290 | 2900 psi [200 bar] |
020 | 200 psi [13.8 bar] | 300 | 3000 psi [207 bar] |
022 | 220 psi [15.2 bar] | 320 | 3200 psi [221 bar] |
024 | 240 psi [16.6 bar] | 340 | 3400 psi [234 bar] |
025 | 250 psi [17.2 bar] | 350 | 3500 psi [241 bar] |
026 | 260 psi [17.9 bar] | 360 | 3600 psi [248 bar] |
028 | 280 psi [19.3 bar] | 380 | 3800 psi [262 bar] |
030 | 300 psi [20.7 bar] | 400 | 4000 psi [276 bar] |
035 | 350 psi [24.1 bar] | 420 | 4200 psi [290 bar] |
040 | 400 psi [27.6 bar] | 440 | 4400 psi [303 bar] |
045 | 450 psi [31.0 bar] | 460 | 4600 psi [317 bar] |
050 | 500 psi [34.5 bar] | 480 | 4800 psi [331 bar] |
060 | 600 psi [41.4 bar] | 500 | 5000 psi [345 bar] |
070 | 700 psi [48.3 bar] | 520 | 5200 psi [359 bar] |
080 | 800 psi [55.2 bar] | 540 | 5400 psi [372 bar] |
090 | 900 psi [62.1 bar] | 560 | 5600 psi [386 bar] |
100 | 1000 psi [69.0 bar] | 580 | 5800 psi [400 bar] |
110 | 1100 psi [75.9 bar] | 600 | 6000 psi [414 bar] |
120 | 1200 psi [82.8 bar] | XXX | Pressure code stamped on valve; Pressure not set |
130 | 1300 psi [89.7 bar] | ||
140 | 1400 psi [96.6 bar] |
Standard settings for valves set in bar |
|||
Crack Pressure Code (bar) |
Crack Pressure, psi [bar] |
Crack Pressure Code (bar) |
Crack Pressure, bar [psi] |
10 | 10 bar [145 psi] | 140 | 140 bar [2030 psi] |
15 | 15 bar [218 psi] | 150 | 150 bar [2175 psi] |
20 | 20 bar [290 psi] | 160 | 160 bar [2320 psi] |
25 | 25 bar [363 psi] | 170 | 170 bar [2465 psi] |
30 | 30 bar [435 psi] | 180 | 180 bar [2610 psi] |
35 | 35 bar [508 psi] | 190 | 190 bar [2755 psi] |
40 | 40 bar [580 psi] | 200 | 200 bar [2900 psi] |
45 | 45 bar [653 psi] | 210 | 210 bar [3045 psi] |
50 | 50 bar [725 psi] | 220 | 220 bar [3190 psi] |
55 | 55 bar [798 psi] | 230 | 230 bar [3335 psi] |
60 | 60 bar [870 psi] | 240 | 240 bar [3480 psi] |
65 | 65 bar [943 psi] | 250 | 250 bar [3625 psi] |
70 | 70 bar [1015 psi] |
260 |
260 bar [3770 psi] |
75 | 75 bar [1088 psi] | 270 | 270 bar [3915 psi] |
80 | 80 bar [1160 psi] | 280 | 280 bar [4060 psi] |
85 | 85 bar [1233 psi] | 290 | 290 bar [4205 psi] |
90 | 90 bar [1305 psi] | 300 | 300 bar [4350 psi] |
95 | 95 bar [1378 psi] | 310 | 310 bar [4495 psi] |
100 | 100 bar [1450 psi] | 320 | 320 bar [4640 psi] |
105 | 105 bar [1523 psi] | 330 | 330 bar [4785 psi] |
110 | 110 bar [1595 psi] | 340 | 340 bar [4930 psi] |
120 | 120 bar [1740 psi] | 350 | 350 bar [5075 psi] |
130 | 130 bar [1885 psi] | XXX |
Pressure code stamped on valve; Pressure not set |
Mechanical Valve Adjustment Options
Adustment options - CP valves
Adjustment options - other valves
Cartridge valve installation procedure
INSPECT THE VALVE BLOCK
Refer to specific pages within this catalog to ensure proper port identification for cartridge functions. Inspect the valve cavity to be sure it is free of burrs, chips or other contamination.
PREPARE CARTRIDGE FOR INSERTION INTO THE BLOCK
Check the cartridge to ensure it is free of external contamination, and the O-rings and back-up rings are intact. Dip the cartridge in clean oil to the top of the threads to lubricate the O-rings.
ASSEMBLY
Insert and screw the cartridge into its cavity by hand. It should turn easily up to the top O-ring. If it does not turn easily, the cavity has been machined improperly and the body should not be used. Torque all cartridges per specification shown on catalog sheet. Torque all coil nuts to 5-8
N•m [4-6 lbf•ft] unless otherwise specified.
TEST
Test the entire system to ensure that the cartridges are performing correctly and to check for leaks.
CAVITY PORT IDENTIFICATION
Hydraulic integrated circuits
DESCRIPTION
Cartridge valves can be installed in custom designed manifolds to create a Hydraulic Integrated Circuit (HIC). HICs provide many advantages over traditional hydraulic control systems:
- HICs are compact packages that simplify machine plumbing.
- Costs for fittings, tubes, hoses, and seals are dramatically reduced.
- Installation costs are dramatically reduced.
- Leak points are eliminated.
- Service time and costs are dramatically reduced. Components can be replaced without disturbing machine plumbing.
- HICs can be centralized on a machine or strategically located. Using a custom HIC provides the designer unlimited flexibility to optimize machines for assembly, plumbing, wiring, service, and weight distribution.
Comatrol designs and manufactures the highest quality custom HICs in the world.
DESIGN CAPABILITIES
A custom HIC can be designed to your circuit requirements. Contact your Comatrol representative for circuit design consultation.
- Manifolds are designed using the most advanced 3-D solid modeling CAD software.
- Advanced quality planning concepts are used throughout the design stage including product and process failure mode and effects analysis and design for manufacturability. A preproduction approval process is followed and initial sample inspection reports are used for first production pieces. Statistical process control is used to control critical features. Control plans and gauge reliability and repeatability programs are used to ensure continued quality.
- Industry-leading rapid prototyping is available to support your test program requirements. Most prototype manifolds can be delivered to meet your schedule requirements.
PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES
strength aluminum (pressures up to 240 bar [3,500 psi]), or ductile iron (pressures to 480 bar [7,000 psi]).
- State-of-the art flexible CNC machining centers are used to maintain the highest quality standards.
- All manifolds go through extensive deburring and cleaning operations.
- Aluminum manifolds can be finished with clear or color anodizing on request for added cleanliness,
enhanced corrosion resistance, and improved appearance. - Steel and ductile iron manifolds are zinc plated.
HICs, on request, can be 100% tested on automated computerized test stands. Performance requirements and test specifications are often unique for each custom HIC and are agreed to by Comatrol and the customer prior to production.
- HICs can be supplied with hydraulic fittings installed on request.
- HICs can be supplied with custom electrical wire harnesses on request. These can be designed for HICs with two or more solenoids to provide the end-user with a one-point electrical connection to reduce
assembly time and eliminate potential wiring mistakes. - All HICs are identified with a Comatrol part number and manufacturing date code. HICs can be identified with customer specified part numbers, logos, etc., on request.