The history of hydraulic cartridge valves can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s. With industrial development and increasing demands for space efficiency, compact size, weight reduction, and zero leakage in hydraulic systems, they gradually replaced traditional connection methods. Below is the main development timeline:
Early Development
During the 1950s-1960s, threaded cartridge valves were initially applied in specialized fields such as military and aerospace industries. Due to their compact structure and easy installation/removal features, they gradually became mainstream components in hydraulic systems.
Industry Consolidation and Brand Emergence
- HYDRAFORCE: Founded in 1983, acquired by Vickers in 1985, later became independent and grew into one of the world's largest threaded cartridge valve manufacturers. Acquired by Bosch Rexroth in 2022.
- SUN Hydraulics: Established in 1970, formed a joint venture with Taiwan's Xiangda Company in 1998, withdrew from the JV in 2011 and established its own China sales company.
- Sterling: Began producing threaded cartridge valves in the late 1960s, later acquired by Parker Hannifin and became its European headquarters.
- Parker Hannifin: Through multiple acquisitions (including Waterman in 1988 and Fluid Power Systems in 1998), became the manufacturer with the most comprehensive range of hydraulic cartridge valves globally.
- Eaton: Entered the threaded cartridge valve market by acquiring UK's Integrated Hydraulics, later integrated into Danfoss Group.
- Other notable global cartridge valve brands include: Bucher, Argo Hytos, Winner, Vis, etc.
Technological Evolution
Modern threaded cartridge valves are developing toward miniaturization, higher pressure ratings (up to 48MPa), and lower energy consumption. Specialized valve types (such as for water hydraulics applications) and digital control technologies have also been developed.
