The purpose of a bypass valve is to control pressure in a system by diverting a portion of the flow, typically from the outlet of a pump back to the reservoir.
Here's a breakdown of what that means:
- Pressure Control: The primary function is to prevent excessive pressure buildup, which can damage components in the system.
- Flow Diversion: It achieves this by redirecting a portion of the fluid flow, reducing the pressure downstream.
- Common Application: In many hydraulic systems, the bypass valve routes fluid from the pump's outlet back to the reservoir. This prevents the pump from constantly operating at high pressure when it's not needed.
In essence, bypass valves act as safety mechanisms and pressure regulators within fluid systems.