Power management company Eaton today announced the launch of its SLV20 load-sensing proportional directional valve, a flexible priority-flow-sharing solution for mini and micro machinery. Compared to traditional cast iron control valves, Eaton’s SLV20 valve offers greater flexibility and control as well as space and weight savings for low-flow applications.
Eaton’s SLV20 valve brings priority flow sharing to low-flow machinery with the versatility and serviceability of screw-in cartridge valves. Designed in sections to enable stacking of multiple functions, the SLV20 valve utilizes Eaton’s new ESV9 four-way three-position proportional solenoid cartridge valve in a hydraulic integrated circuit concept. Meter-out or meter-in control is achieved through logic elements, which enables flow sharing and flow prioritization in the same valve bank.
SLV20 sections are manufactured from aluminum drawn bar, which enables production of small batches of individual sections with added functions. This could include pilot-operated check valves, counterbalance valves or other bespoke functions that an application requires, thus reducing the need for remotely mounted ancillary valves.
The SLV20’s aluminum sections weigh significantly less than traditional cast iron sections, which can lead to efficiency gains and, in some cases, increased load-carrying capability and battery life. A patent-pending multifunction meter-out compensator reduces section size by 40%, saving space on the machine.
With flows of up to 60 liters per minute (16 gallons per minute) at the inlet and 30 liters per minute (8 gallons per minute) at the work port, the SLV20 valve offers the ideal flow rate for mini and micro machinery platforms across a variety of industries, including construction, agriculture, material handling and vocational vehicles, as well as auxiliary/accessory control on larger machines.