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A pilot valve is a small valve that controls a
limited-flow control feed to a separate piloted
valve. Typically, this valve controls a high
pressure or high flow feed. Pilot valves are useful
because they allow a small and easily operated feed
to control a much higher pressure or higher flow
feed, which would otherwise require a much larger
force to operate; indeed, this is even useful when a
solenoid is used to operate the valve.
Pilot valves are often used in critical applications
(i.e., emergency and safety controls) and are human
operated. They can be set up as a push-to-activate
or dead man's switch. |
