3/2-way valves have 3 controlled ports and 2 switching

positions.
These valves come in two designs: normally opened and
normally closed.
They also come in different designs, for example poppet
valves or spool valves.
3/2-way valves are used for many applications, for
example, as final control elements for single-acting
cylinders, or as signalling elements for indirect control
circuits.

4/2-way valves have 4 controlled ports and 2 switching

positions.
They also come in different designs, for example poppet
valves or spool valves.
4/2-way valves serve mainly as final control valves for
double-acting cylinders and rotary drives. Today, 5/2way valves are often preferred to 4/2-way valves. They
perform the same function, but their design offers
several advantages, including separate exhaust air
restriction.

5/2-way valves have 5 controlled ports and 2 switching

positions.
They are used mainly as final control valves for doubleacting cylinders, semi-rotary drives, and compressed air
motors.
When 5/2-way valves have pneumatic actuation on both
sides, they are called double pilot valves. A short
compressed air signal is enough for each switching
action. Since double pilot valves change their switching
position only after a signal is applied to the "opposite"
side, they are classified as "bi-stable" or "memory"
valves.

The 5/3-way valve has 5 controlled ports and 3 switching

positions.
Like the 5/2-way valve, it serves mainly as a final control
valve, but it has an additional mid switching position,
which permits various functions.
If all ports are blocked in the mid or neutral position,
drive components can be held in intermediate positions.
Their rest position cannot be changed by applying
external force.
However, the piston of a double-acting cylinder can be
moved by external force if the working lines are
exhausted in the mid position.

Non-return or check valves block the flow of air in one

direction and release it in the opposite direction.
Blockage in one direction is done by a cone, ball, disc or
diaphragm.
Non-return valves are used, for example, to bypass
other valves in one of the two directions of flow.

Quick-exhaust valves are used to increase piston speed,

particularly with large-volume cylinders.
They should be located as close as possible to the
cylinder port. This way, the exhaust air can bypass the
relatively long flow path through the working line and
final control valve.
Exhaust noise can usually be muffled by a silencer.

Shuttle valves can be used individually or in OR blocks.

OR blocks are made up of several separate OR valves
mounted on a single sub-base to be installed in a control
cabine

The dual pressure valve, sometimes described as an

AND valve, is used for the logic AND connection of
signals.
Dual pressure valves are used, for example, for
interlocking control systems and for checking functions.
For logic operations, AND valves can also be connected
in series and, for example, combined with OR valves.
Dual pressure valves can be used individually or in AND
blocks. AND blocks are made up of several separate
AND valves mounted on a single sub-base to be
installed in a control cabinet.

Pressure relief valves prevent the pressure in a system

from rising above the maximum permissible value. If
pressure rises above the preset nominal value, the valve
vents to atmosphere until the nominal pressure level has
been reached.
For safety reasons, pressure relief valves form part of
every compressed air generation unit. They are hardly
ever used in pneumatic control unit

Pressure regulators are used mainly as parts of service

units. They keep working pressure on the downstream
(secondary) side at a generally constant level,
regardless of pressure changes in the air mains
(primaryside) or of air consumption in the system
(secondary side).
Minimum input pressure must always be higher than
output pressure.

The sequence valve is also known as a pressure limiting

valve or a pressure sequence valve.
Sequence valves are used when a certain minimum
pressure must be present for the equipment to function
(pressure-dependent control systems).
The sequence valve does not trigger a switching cycle
until the preset minimum pressure has been reached.
Generally, a sequence valve consists of a pressure
sequence actuator and a 3/2-way valve.
Pressure sequence actuators are also available
individually. They can be mounted on the basic valve
body of many directional control valves.

The throttle valve is used for regulating the amount of

flow, for example, to slow down the piston speed of
cylinders. Flow is adjusted by means of a regulating
screw, with air-flow rate approximately the same in both
directions.
Flow control valves are also available with swivel joints
for direct connection to cylinder ports.

If a cylinder is to move large masses, it is advisable to

use a cylinder with end-position cushioning in order to
avoid sudden impacts and resulting damage.
Before the end position is reached, a cushioning piston
blocks the direct exhaust passage. The exhaust air is
throttled. The throttle is usually adjustable, so that the
degree of cushioning can be regulated.

The one-way flow control valve is a combination of a

flow control and a non-return valve.
This valve is used for regulating air flow, mainly by
influencing the piston speed of single and double-acting
cylinders. Here the flow of air is restricted in one
direction only, flowing freely in the opposite direction.
With double-acting cylinders, it is preferable to restrict
exhaust air. With single-acting cylinders only supply air
can be restricted.
In most cases, one-way flow control valves with swivel
joints are used. They can be connected directly to the
cylinder port

Time-delay valves perform such functions as delaying the reversal of systems or the transmission of signals (timedependent control systems). There is usually an upper limit to time delay.
The time-delay valve is a component that incor-porates a one-way flow control valve, a reservoir and a 3/2-way valve. The
directional control valve determines the particular function of the time-delay valve:
If the 3/2-way valve is normally closed, as shown on the valve symbol, the component is used for delayed signal
transmission.
If there is flow from 1 to 2 in the normal position, the valve delays the signal switch-off.

The signalling states possible at the inlet and outlet ports

of logic elements are listed in value tables ("truth
tables"). At this the inlets are called inlet 1 and inlet 2.
"1" signal means "air pressure applied", a "0" signal
means "no pressure" applied.
The signal processing part of a pneumatic control
system can also be represented by a logic diagram,
using logic symbols as described in DIN 40900.
The AND valve is also called dual pressure valve. It is
used for the logic AND linking of two signals: There is air
pressure at the outlet (2) only, if both inlets (1) are
supplied with compressed air.

For logic circuits, AND valves may also be connected in

series and, for example, be combined with OR valves.

Shuttle Valve
It has OR function which gives output signal if there
is a signal on any of the inputs