When it comes to managing the flow of liquids or gases, understanding your application’s requirements is essential, of course. But that’s only half of the equation.
Comprehending how check valves work, their capabilities, and how to match them to your specific application needs is the key to achieving balanced performance and high efficiency.
Checks and balances make all the difference.
Every application has its unique demands. Whether it’s preventing water hammer in a plumbing system, safeguarding hydraulic pumps from reverse flow, maintaining the integrity of a chemical process, or acting as fuel pressure regulators, the capabilities of check valves are as diverse as the applications they serve.
Parker’s quality, engineering expertise, and innovation ensure that our check valves prevent backflow, protect equipment, and stabilize your systems. We’ll help you assess factors like pressure, temperature, flow rate, and fluid type and equip you with the right check valve for seamless performance.
Our engineering prowess enables us to create customized check valve solutions that cater to your exact requirements. This approach ensures that your system operates seamlessly and efficiently, leaving no room for compromises.
Navigate fluid control with confidence. Choose Parker.
What is a Check Valve?
A fitting which incorporates a valve that controls flow in a single direction.
Check valves are unseen and undervalued. These valves are found in just about every mobile and industrial hydraulic system on the planet. Simply put, if there’s a pump, most likely you will find a check valve.
Check valves keep the fluids flowing in the desired direction to prevent damaging flow or pressure in the reverse direction. They can also be used in applications to maintain a system pressure for optimum system readiness and performance.
Surprisingly, for a valve that performs such a critical function, a check valve incorporates very few components—the body, poppet, spring and retainer.
Check Valve Definitions
- Cracking Pressure: Pressure at which the poppet opens allowing flow through the check valve.
- Pressure Drop: The internal components of a check valve restrict the flow and create a pressure drop across it.
- Orifice: This is a precise hole drilled in the poppet allowing for limited flow (sometimes referred to as a standby flow) in the closed position.
- Internal Leakage: The acceptable amount of fluid that passes across the check valve in the closed condition.
Parker's check valves are available in various sizes, pressure ratings, flow capacities, and crack pressures to meet the requirements of most hydraulic system applications.
DT Series Check Valves
This series cover the widest variety of applications out there. These hard seat check valves are offered in sizes from ¼" to 1-1/4" with the added benefit and convenience of compact design. Select sizes are also available in 45°, 90°, and tee shape fittings, which can help optimize system design by reducing labor and leak points. If you are unsure where to start looking for check valves, the DT Series is a great first option.
CV Series Check Valves
A hard seat check valve option for your application. Built using a rugged, two-piece modular design, CV Series results in less pressure drop for increased performance in critical applications.
CPIFF Series Check Valves
A soft seat check valve option for your application. The CPIFF valve’s poppet is streamlined with minimum restriction of flow in one direction. Flow is blocked in the reverse direction as the soft seat creates a leak free seal in the closed position.
Parker provides the industry's widest selection of check valves, available in a variety of end connections. Our valves are used in a diverse range of applications, from air and fuel systems to load holding. Our check valves utilize a variety of media including oil, air, and water and are made from materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and carbon steel.
© Parker Hannifin Corporation
