spool valve
Quick Summary
A spool valve is a type of valve used in mechanical engineering to control the flow of fluids, such as liquids or gases, within a pipe or enclosure. It operates by using a movable element, in this case, a spool, to open, shut, or partially obstruct a passageway.1
In hydrostatic fluid-power systems, spool valves regulate the flow of pressurized oil. They typically provide two flow paths. When the spool is in one extreme position, fluid flows from the pump to a working port, and discarded fluid returns to a tank. In the opposite extreme position, these functions are reversed. In a neutral position, both working ports are blocked. The movement of the spool can be controlled manually or electrically.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
