🔍 Key Concepts

• Directional control valves vs throttle (flow control) valves in hydraulic systems • How spring centering is used to return a valve spool to a neutral or middle position • What a three-position valve looks like internally (spool with three distinct operating positions)

💭 Think About

• Look closely at the right-hand side of the illustration: what component is drawn there, and what does it do to the valve spool when the handle is released? • Count how many distinct operating positions the handle can have and relate that to the internal passages you see in the body of the valve. • Which of the answer choices describes a valve whose main job is to control direction of flow rather than flow rate or system pressure?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify whether the internal spool is centered by springs on both ends when the handle is released. • Confirm whether the valve body shows multiple flow paths/ports that would reverse or redirect flow rather than just choke it down. • Match the observed features to the wording of the choices, paying close attention to the terms directional, pressure reducing, and throttle.