Which valve function restricts oil flow going out from the actuator?

• A. Meter-out
• B. Meter-in
• C. Restrictor
• D. Flow regulating valves

Answer: (A)

Controlling the speed of a hydraulic actuator comes from throttling the fluid that passes either into or out of the actuator. If you place a throttling element on the line that carries oil away from the actuator to the reservoir, you are restricting the outflow. This kind of valve is called meter-out. By throttling the return flow, the oil cannot leave the cylinder quickly, so the corresponding stroke slows down. In contrast, meter-in would throttle the flow into the actuator and slow the opposite stroke. A generic restrictor or a flow-regulating valve can achieve throttling, but meter-out specifically denotes restricting the outflow from the actuator, which matches the scenario described.