Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
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22 | March - April 2019 | www . machinerylubrication.com Flow dividers are common components in hydraulic systems. They are used whenever it is important to deliver equal flow to two or more actuators or sets of actuators in a series. ere are two types of flow dividers: the motor type and the orifice type. is article will focus on the motor type, as shown on the right. Motor Type The motor type is comprised of two or more motors (usually gear motors) sharing a shaft. ere is a single input shared by the motors and an output for each. e hydraulic symbol can be seen in the illustration below. If a flow divider has two motors, each of the same displacement, it is called a 50-50 flow divider, as it delivers half the flow that is input out of each motor. However, this type of flow divider can be configured with as many motors as needed, and the displacement of each motor can be different. For example, if one motor has a displacement that is three times that of the second motor, it would be called a 75-25 flow divider. Any combination may be designed, but the most common are those with motors of equal displacement so the input flow is divided equally between each outlet to the actuators. If the actuators are also of equal displacement, this will ensure they all move at the same speed. e problem with flow dividers is that even new actuators will bypass different amounts of flow. Regardless of how minuscule this difference in bypassing may be, the actuators can What You Should Know About Hydraulic Flow Dividers HYDRAULICS Jack Weeks | GPM Hydraulic Consulting "The problem with flow dividers is that even new actuators will bypass different amounts of flow." Crossport Relief Valves Flow Divider Outlets (Inlet on Opposite Side) A flow divider schematic symbol A flow divider schematic symbol An example of a flow divider A flow divider symbol with crossport relief valves