distribution/distributeur

11:17 Mar 17, 2021 

I was able to find a set of distinctive symbols associated with these hydraulic 'distributeurs'. They look like this: https://www.hydrodis.com/img/cms/A9R4320.jpg

It was not difficult to find similar symbols in English technical literature, which most often used 'directional control valve'.

Example in English: https://hydraulicsonline.com/technical-knowledge-hub/hydraul...

14:20 Mar 16, 2021 

There's a lot of stuff on the web about this, e.g. https://picclick.fr/Distributeur-hydraulique-40L-min-3-secti... "Manifold" might do it, or "control valve manifold". // "Monoblock" (or monobloc) seems a common usage: https://picclick.fr/4-Bank-Hydraulic-Monoblock-Lever-Spool-V...

11:48 Mar 16, 2021 

I can also confirm that the first occurrence are the applications listed for a hydraulic oil.

11:42 Mar 16, 2021 

I had considered 'directional control valve' (my default solution for 'distributeur'), especially with the mention of hydraulics.

11:37 Mar 16, 2021 

No, I don't think 'distribution' here is anything at all to do with engine ignition — for a start, these are more likely to be diesel engines, where 'distribution' would have a different meaning anyway.
However, as this seems to be to do with hydraulic equipment, I have the distinct feeling that this is all about the special 'valves' used to direct and distribute hydaulic power.