December 9, 2024 5:36PM EST
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What are hydraulic manifolds?

A hydraulic manifold is a component that regulates fluid flow between pumps and actuators and other components in a hydraulic system. It could be compared to a switchboard in an electrical circuit, because it lets the operator control how  much fluid flows between components of a hydraulic machinery. For example, in a backhoe loader, a manifold turns on or shuts off or diverts flow to the telescopic arms of the front bucket and the back bucket. The manifold is connected to the levers in the operator’s cabin, which the operator uses to achieve the desired behavior. A manifold is composed of assorted hydraulic valves connected to each other. It is the various combinations of states of these valves that allow complex control behavior in a manifold.

Simply put, a hydraulic manifold distributes hydraulic oil throughout a circuit.  The flow of pressurized oil is regulated by hydraulic valves installed within the manifold and directed through hoses to some kind of work device, such as a hydraulic motor or a cylinder.

In addition to providing a neat and logical layout, consolidating components into a manifold reduces space, pressure drop, requires less fittings, less assembly time, and reduced leak points. Manifolds are sometimes viewed as a black box, making troubleshooting a concern. However, if a system is properly designed and test points provided in key locations, finding the problem becomes much quicker and simpler. If transducers are connected to these test points, the data may be linked into the machine PLC and even displayed by the HMI.

Typical applications include machine tools, production and material handling equipment, food processing, marine, off-highway equipment, heavy construction equipment, oil field and farm equipment, and valve operations.

Manifolds come in two basic types. One is a mono-block design that holds all the passages and valves for an entire system. The other is a modular-block design. Each modular block usually supports only one or two valves and contains interconnecting passages for these valves as well as flow-through provisions. It normally is connected to a series of similar modular blocks to make up a complete system.

Hydraulic manifolds, here and below, offer a variety of paths for fluid to flow through a hydraulic system. These acrylic models of hammer valves demonstrate complexities in their design. Image courtesy of Lynch Group.

Mono-block manifolds can be either laminar or drilled metal block. Laminar manifolds are usually made of steel, with passages milled or machined through several layers of metal. These plates are stacked or sandwiched with the various fluid paths determined by the shape of the overlapping passages. Solid-metal end pieces are added, and the whole stack is brazed together. These manifolds can handle pressures as high as 10,000 psi. Internal passages can be cut to any shape needed, so nearly any flow rate can be accommodated with minimal pressure drop.

Close-up of acrylic hammer valves. Image courtesy of Lynch Group.

Laminar manifolds are always custom-designed. Valves and other connections can be located where appropriate for a specific application. But because of the permanently shaped flow passages and brazed construction, this type manifold cannot be modified easily if future circuit changes become necessary.

Drilled metal block manifolds are made from plates or bars of steel, aluminum, or ductile iron. As the name implies, the blocks are drilled to provide circuit paths and flow passages. Valves can be placed as desired but the drilled passages must be straight.

Other drilled-block manifolds accept cartridge valves into cavities drilled into the manifold surface. Interconnecting flow passages travel through the manifold from the valve cavities. Some cartridge valves have threaded bodies that hold them in threaded cavities; others slip into smooth cavities where they are retained by plates on the manifold surface.

Modular manifold systems are easy to modify and can be added to existing manifolds. The blocks are usually made of ductile iron, aluminum, or steel. Blocks can be custom designed or standard. End plates usually seal the ends of the assembled manifold, but these plates also can be drilled for pump and tank connections. Interconnecting, divider, and spacer plates are usually installed between the basic building blocks. Interconnecting plates divert flow from one passage to another between blocks, or stop flow between blocks by plugging a passage. Divider plates allow flow to continue or to be blocked by plugging. Spacer plates increase dimensions between basic blocks when an outsized valve must be accommodated on the mounting surface.

Lynch Now Offering HPUA & T Control Option from Sun Hydraulics

We are excited to announce the launch of Sun Hydraulics HPUA Hand Pump and the Sun Common (SC) cavity cartridge valves. These new SC cavity cartridges are optimized for lower-pressure systems. These valves boast a common SAE style cavity, which is compliant to SAE cavity standard ISO 17209:2013.

HPUA & T Control Option from Sun Hydraulics

The HPUA Hand Pump

HPUA Hand Pump

The HPUA is designed to provide hydraulic power to operate valves, cylinders, motors, and other hydraulic components in a wide range of industrial equipment. This valve is a screw-in, manual hand pump cartridge with dual integrated check valves.

It is manufactured to fit perfectly into the Sun Common SC-10-02 cavity, offering the following features:

  • Cavity SC-10-02
  • Series 1C
  • Capacity .442 in³
  • Maximum Operating Pressure 3000 psi
  • Valve Hex Size 7/8 in.
  • Valve Installation Torque 45 – 50 lbf ft
  • Seal kit – Cartridge Buna: 99C102007
  • Seal kit – Cartridge Viton: 99C102006

For more information:


Lynch is carrying the new T-control kit option for FNUC & DNUC.

The FNUC – T

FNUC T

FNUC-T is a 4-way, 3-position, electro-proportional, solenoid-operated directional valve with a pressure capacity of 3600 psi (250 bar) and is Sun Common Cavity.

This valve is direct actuated and requires no minimum hydraulic pressure for operation. Features include:

  • Cavity SC-10-04
  • Series 1C
  • Capacity 10 gpm
  • Maximum Operating Pressure 3600 psi
  • Typical Valve Leakage at 110 SUS (24cSt) 110 mL/min.@3600 psi
  • Response Time – Typical 50 ms
  • Solenoid Tube Diameter .75 in.
  • Valve Hex Size 1.00 in.
  • Coil Nut Torque 3.5 – 3.9 lbf ft
  • Valve Installation Torque 28 – 32 lbf ft
  • Mounting Bolt Installation Torque (T Control) 4.2 – 4.6 lbf ft
  • Model Weight (with coil) 1.20 lb
  • Model Weight 1.58 lb.

For more information:

THE DNUC – T

DNUC - T

The DNUC-T is a direct-acting, solenoid-operated, 4-way, 3-position spool valve. This valve is direct actuated and requires no minimum hydraulic pressure for operation.

The DNUC-T comes with the following features:

  • Cavity SC-10-04
  • Series 1C
  • Capacity 7 gpm 
  • Maximum Operating Pressure 3600 psi
  • Typical Valve Leakage at 110 SUS (24cSt) 11 in³/min.@3600 psi
  • Response Time – Typical 50 ms
  • Switching Frequency 15,000 max. cycles/hr
  • Solenoid Tube Diameter .75 in.
  • Valve Hex Size 27 mm
  • Coil Nut Torque 3.5 – 3.9 lbf ft
  • Valve Installation Torque 28 – 32 lbf ft

For more information:

991-291- Momentary bi-directional, hand-actuated control kit, T Control

991 - 291 Momentary bi - directional hand actuated control kit

The 991-291 Momentary bi-directional, hand-actuated control kit, T Control, allows the operator to temporarily shift the valve by rotating the lever in either direction.

It is to be used in conjunction with the FNUC-T and the DNUC-T.

  • Material Zinc Plated Steel
  • Description Momentary Bi-directional Operation (T Control Option)
  • Mounting Bolt Installation Torque (T Control) 4.2 – 4.6 lbf ft
  • Model Weight 0.80 lb.

For more information:


We are excited to offer these products to our customers. Whether you are looking for a reliable hand pump or a highly efficient control kit, we have you covered.

If you’re interested in learning more information, reach out to a member of our Sales Team today by emailing sales@lynch.ca, or calling us toll-free at 1-888-626-4365.

Ecoline – New Energy efficient Valves from SUN Hydraulics & FASTER Quick Release Couplings (QRC)

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION

‘Reshaping the cartridge valve industry with sustainable valves’

Ecoline


As the global consequences of climate change and energy control become more evident, there is a greater emphasis on energy conservation in all industries.

Our innovative partner, SUN Hydraulics is doing their part as they introduce the new energy-efficient valves in their new ECOLINE™ program now available at Lynch Fluid Controls.

The Ecoline™ program, is a selection of fuel/energy saving, cost-effective valves that can reduce energy consumption by as much as 70%.
Please take this into consideration while moving forward in your current or very next design.  Creating machines and systems that have increased range and reduced operating costs are sure to bring a smile to your customers faces.

ecoline button

In addition to the Ecoline™, Lynch has also added the Quick Release Couplings (QRC) line of products to its catalogue. Products include Faster, Diagnostic and FFH Flat Faced Quick Release couplings. Faster quick-release couplings in hydraulic integrated packages enables customized solutions for a wide range of hydraulic applications

Lynch Fluid Controls continues to provide new and improved services to our customers by expanding the catalog with SUN’s products. Get in touch with us by filling out the contact form on our website or email us at sales@lynch.ca

Driving for Safety – Lynch’s Integrated Custom Work

The Fluid Power Journal is featuring Lynch Fluid Controls in its December 2020 magazine. This article highlights a safety-hydraulic system with integrated electronics for the off-road suspension industry that was designed, manufactured, and tested by Lynch Fluid Controls. Read the full article here.

Driving for Safety – Lynch’s Integrated Custom Work

Enovation Controls’ New Murphy PowerView Displays

Enovation Controls announces the release of their Murphy PowerView® 700, a 7-inch edge-to-edge glass display in the Murphy® PowerView series of high-performance displays. With an IP69K-rated enclosure, glove-friendly capacitive touch screen, and an optically-bonded cover glass for superior sunlight visibility, the PV700 is the ultimate rugged display for tough environments. The button-less modern design makes the PV700 a compact and durable addition to in-cab or exterior applications with the perfect amount of power to deliver increased productivity, efficiency, and control.

Click here to learn more.

Sun Hydraulics – Motion Control for Mobile and Industrial Markets

Sun delivers smart solutions for demanding applications in all your favorite hydraulics markets. No matter where you go, there we are. Contact Lynch, your authorized Sun Distributor in Ontario and New York for your standard or custom hydraulic needs!

Exporter Insights 2018 – Ernie Lynch Featured

Exporter Insights 2018 is a national report by CanadianManufacturing.com focused on industrial businesses that export their products and services overseas. This year’s report included a number of top Canadian exporters including Ernie Lynch. His contribution can be viewed on pages 12-14 of the report. Below is a short excerpt.

Meanwhile, what works for one exporting business, might not work for another. Lynch Fluid Controls, for instance, recently set up a new facility in the U.S. to handle shipments from its Canadian manufacturing plant, mainly because it didn’t want to rely on a third-party logistics provider, better known as a 3PL. “We wanted to have our own people handling our own goods without any interference from the states happening,” Ernie Lynch said. “We’re very tight on quality control so if our own people are trained the way we want them to be trained then there’s a higher probability of success in doing it that way.” While the hydraulic equipment manufacturer has been shipping product to the U.S. for years, the company decided it was time to establish a bricks and mortar presence south of the border, partly as a result of the changing political climate.

Read the full article here.

Exporter Insights 2018 – Ernie Lynch Featured

Lynch Fluid Controls U.S. expansion takes off without a hitch

Lynch Fluid Controls U.S. expansion takes off without a hitch

Invest Buffalo Niagara worked with Lynch to set up cross border meetings so that they could get information on incorporation, tax and accounting, banking, immigration, and human resource compliance in the U.S. Research concerning workforce, and colleges and universities was given to help the business case.

“Owning A business is like making a painting that never dries” – Ernie Lynch

Invest Buffalo Niagara also coordinated the site selection process and helped find their ideal site. In their first phase, they have set up a warehousing and distribution space. In each of their first 10 months, LynchUSA has hit targets set, reaching 210% of their goal in June. Their current location in Niagara County has space for eventual expansion into manufacturing.

Learn more about INVEST Buffalo Niagara here.