If a non return valve is to a diode, a resistor is to a?

If a non return valve is to a diode, a resistor is to a thermostat valve, since the two resistor and thermostat valve are resisting the applied energy and passing an out put proportional to it; if you applied a certain voltage between the two ends of the resistor a certain current will flow and no more changing the voltage will impact on the current output proportionally, same thing is applied to the spring of the thermostat valve when the pressure is high  it will press the spring and passing more flow.