Pilot Controllers
Objectives
Pilot controllers are small valves which allow us to precisely position proportional directional control valves in order to control their flow rates and pressures.
You can see more on proportional control valves here.
These pilots can be found on virtually any machine that is controlled by a human operator, from a small skid steer to giant airliners.
In this lesson we will look into why we use pilot controllers and how the major types of pilot controllers work.
The Size Problem
The larger the directional control valve, the harder it is to control accurately.
Especially if you are trying to do it by hand!
This is due to the fact that larger directional control valves are used to control higher flow rates and/or higher pressures.
Which means controlling greater forces.
To overcome this problem we use a smaller pilot valve to control our pilot pressure, then use that pressure to position the larger directional control valve.
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