Which path describes the air flow when shifting the splitter?

• A. Air passes through the control valve and to the center port of the cylinder cover via the insert valve to shift the splitter piston.
• B. Air goes through regulator assembly to spool valve
• C. Air bypasses the cylinder
• D. Air exhausts to atmosphere

Answer: (A)

The action tested is how actuation happens through directing compressed air into the cylinder to move the piston. When shifting the splitter, air is routed from the control valve into the center port of the cylinder cover via the insert valve. That pressurized air on the center port pushes the splitter piston, causing the splitter to move to the desired position. If air bypassed the cylinder, there would be no force to move the piston, and if air just exhausted to atmosphere, there’d be none of the pushing force needed for actuation. Air passing through the regulator to the spool valve is part of the supply path, but the crucial step for shifting is delivering air into the center port to drive the piston.