What type of valve is a combination of a gate valve and a plug valve?

A piston valve functions by combining the features of both a gate valve and a plug valve. It utilizes a piston-like mechanism that moves within a cylindrical chamber to control flow, similar to how a plug valve operates, but it retains the straight-through flow passage characteristic of a gate valve. This design allows for low resistance to flow when fully open, much like a gate valve, while also providing tight sealing capabilities akin to those of a plug valve when closed.

Both gate and plug valves are typically used to start or stop fluid flow, but the piston valve can achieve this with potentially faster actuation and a more compact design. This versatility makes the piston valve suitable for applications where precision and efficiency are critical, such as in hydraulic systems or processes requiring accurate flow control.