A flow divider valve-also known as a velocity synchronization valve-is a general term within the field of hydraulic valves that encompasses flow dividers, flow combiners, unidirectional flow dividers, unidirectional flow combiners, and proportional flow dividers.
Synchronization valves are primarily utilized in hydraulic systems designed for the synchronized control of dual-cylinder or multi-cylinder assemblies. While numerous methods exist for achieving synchronized motion, hydraulic systems employing flow divider-combiner valves (synchronization valves) offer a host of advantages-including simple structure, low cost, ease of manufacture, and high reliability-and have consequently found widespread application within hydraulic systems.
The synchronization achieved by flow divider-combiner valves is velocity-based synchronization; even when two or more hydraulic cylinders are subjected to varying loads, the flow divider-combiner valve remains capable of ensuring their synchronized motion.
