Hydraulic distributor – how does it work and what is its use?

Hydraulic distributor is an essential element of any hydraulic system. It is an important component of the construction of many pump systems used in various industries. They are devices that determine the direction of fluid flow in hydraulic systems. They transferring mechanical energy from the place of its production to the place driven by liquid. With the help of a distributor, we can, for example, relieve the pump when a technological break is needed.

Hydraulic distributos

There are several types of hydraulic distributors. There are slide, valve (otherwise socket) and intrinsically safe. Hydraulic distributors are available in manual or electric versions, and their use is really extensive. In the slide model, the working element is, of course, the slide with which we direct the liquid to the designated path. At the same time, we are closing the inflow in a different direction. The valve distributor works by means of a ball – it is pressed or released by special springs. The pressed ball closes the flow path, while the released one opens it. Intrinsically safe distributors are used in places where there is a high risk of explosion. There is a piston in the hole of the intrinsically safe distributor body. It moves under the influence of the coil voltage. The piston returns to its previous position under the influence of a spring.

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, the hydraulic distributor was designed to control the direction of movement of the liquid in the system. If for some reason there is a sudden lack of flow in the system, the distributor protects the pump against overload. In addition, it allows you to control the position of the pump in the system. Hydraulic distributors often play the role of simple controllers in the pneumatic system. They are used to start and stop a motor or pneumatic cylinder. Forklifts or baling presses, among others, cannot work without distributors. On the other hand, intrinsically safe distributors are used in underground mining as well as in potentially explosive areas.