Hydro-Brake Flow Control Valve
The Hynds Hydro-Brake® Flow Control is a self-activating vortex flow control device that provides superior hydraulic performance over conventional flow regulators.

The unique head/discharge characteristics of the Hydro-Brake® can reduce on-site storage volume requirements by up to 30%, offering significant savings to the overall project costs.

This self-activating device uses vortex principles to control and attenuate stormwater flow without the need for moving parts or external power requirements.

With clear openings up to 600% larger than conventional flow control devices, the risk of blocking is reduced to an absolute minimum.
  • Flow control for stormwater detention
  • Aeration of stormwater storage discharges
  • Catch basin inlet flow control
  • Capture and control of floatable trash
  • Erosion control and energy dissipation
  • Flow control for Sewer and Combined Sewer Overflow systems
Three series of Hydro-Brake® Vortex Valves are available to suit various applications and design constraints.

Refer to the Hydro-Brake® Design Chart for typical sizing guidelines.

Note: the Hydro-Brake® Vortex Valves can be manufactured to any specified diameter. The diameters listed in the sizing chart are typical guidelines only.
The Hynds Hydro-Brake® Vortex Valve out performs conventional flow control devices. It’s unique S-shaped head/discharge curve, which has been devised from extensive systematic modelling and field testing, comprises two distinct phases. As the head increases, a transition takes place from free flow (lower portion of the curve) to vortex controlled flow (upper portion of the curve).

The Hydro-Brake® Vortex Valve thereby achieves maximum design discharge rates at lower heads than conventional controls. As a result, storage requirements are reduced by up to 30%, significantly reducing project costs.

EV51 Hydro Brake Brochure.pdf [635KB]
  • Ideal for retrofitting to existing septic tanks
  • Reduces on-site storage volume requirements by up to 30%
  • Area of opening is 3 - 6 times larger than the equivalent orifice
  • Self-activating with no moving parts or power requirements
  • Virtually maintenance free
  • Performance proven with over 15000 installations worldwide
Flow enters the volute tangentially through the inlet. Under low flow conditions, the Hydro-Brake® acts as a large orifice and water passes directly from the inlet to the outlet as shown in Figure A.

As flow increases and reaches the flush flow point, high peripheral velocities start a throttling action. As head increases, the valve approaches the kick-back point and an air-filled core starts to form in the volute. As head continues to increase, the air core fully stabilises and the valve discharge is throttled to that of a smaller orifice, as shown in Figure B.