In a closed-center circuit, what happens to hydraulic flow when no actuator movement is commanded?

In a closed-center circuit, what happens to hydraulic flow when no actuator movement is commanded?

• A. The pump continues to push flow to the reservoir.
• B. The pump stops and pressure drops to zero.
• C. The main line remains pressurized with no flow to the reservoir.
• D. Flow is circulated through a bypass loop.

Answer: (C)

In a closed-center circuit, when no actuator movement is requested, the valve sits in its center position and blocks all flow paths to the load and to the reservoir. The pump then has nothing to push toward, so it reduces output to near zero (or simply maintains pressure with minimal leakage). The result is that the main line stays pressurized, but there is essentially no flow to the reservoir. This differs from open-center behavior, where unused flow would return to tank, and from any bypass looping, which requires a path not present when the center is closed.

In a closed-center circuit, when no actuator movement is requested, the valve sits in its center position and blocks all flow paths to the load and to the reservoir. The pump then has nothing to push toward, so it reduces output to near zero (or simply maintains pressure with minimal leakage). The result is that the main line stays pressurized, but there is essentially no flow to the reservoir. This differs from open-center behavior, where unused flow would return to tank, and from any bypass looping, which requires a path not present when the center is closed.