Pneumatically vs. Electrically Actuated Ball Valves: Which Should You Use?
Pneumatic vs. electric actuators — which is best for your application? In general, pneumatically actuated ball valves serve the same purpose as electrically actuated ball valves: to control the flow of media.Get more news about pneumatic actuated valve,you can vist our website!
Both types of actuation have their pros and cons, so it’s important to be sure you select the right one for your intended application. We explain the basics below.
If you’re not familiar with how a ball valve works, it’s pretty simple. A ball valve is a quarter turn valve that uses a ball with a hole drilled through it to control the flow of media. The hole is referred to as the port or orifice and when opened, it’s aligned with the valve body to permit flow. The ball is contained within a body and uses a stem that is connected to the output shaft — in this case, of a pneumatic or electric actuator. From the closed position, it’s turned 90° counterclockwise to open and 90° clockwise to close.
Pneumatic actuators rely on compressed air or gas as the primary power source. These actuators don’t require a motor, but electricity is necessary when paired with an integral solenoid valve which is commonly referred to as a pilot valve.
Remote piloting can also be achieved utilizing the air supply port(s). The solenoid (pilot) valve receives an electric signal which energizes its coil and allows air to flow either in or out of the pneumatic actuator, subsequently opening/closing the ball valve.
Two types of pneumatic actuators are available: double-acting and spring-return. Both utilize a rack and pinion design, which is well known for its reliability and durability.
Double-Acting Pneumatic Actuated Ball Valves
Double-acting uses air to move internal pistons (racks) in two directions, which rotates the actuator pinion 90°. The pinion is connected to the ball valve stem and opens or closes the ball valve as it rotates. Double-acting actuators will return to the normal position when power is lost and can be configured as either normally open or normally closed. In the event that air supply is lost, double-acting actuators will stay in their current position.
Spring-Return Pneumatic Actuated Ball Valves
Spring-return uses air to move the internal pistons in one direction and springs in the other. These actuators are normally supplied as an air to open, spring to close operation, but can be supplied as air to close, spring to open. The mechanical springs can be susceptible to spring fatigue, making double-acting a better choice for high-cycle applications. Spring-return actuators will fail to the normal position in the event of either power failure or loss of air supply.
Double-Acting with Failsafe
Gemini Valve now offers an industry first double-acting pneumatic actuator with failsafe. This combines the durability of a double-acting actuator with the failsafe normally only offered by spring-return models. The actuator operates in a double-acting configuration until power or air pressure is lost, and springs engage automatically to return the valve to the normal position.
Pneumatic vs. electric actuators — which is best for your application? In general, pneumatically actuated ball valves serve the same purpose as electrically actuated ball valves: to control the flow of media.Get more news about pneumatic actuated valve,you can vist our website!
Both types of actuation have their pros and cons, so it’s important to be sure you select the right one for your intended application. We explain the basics below.
If you’re not familiar with how a ball valve works, it’s pretty simple. A ball valve is a quarter turn valve that uses a ball with a hole drilled through it to control the flow of media. The hole is referred to as the port or orifice and when opened, it’s aligned with the valve body to permit flow. The ball is contained within a body and uses a stem that is connected to the output shaft — in this case, of a pneumatic or electric actuator. From the closed position, it’s turned 90° counterclockwise to open and 90° clockwise to close.
Pneumatic actuators rely on compressed air or gas as the primary power source. These actuators don’t require a motor, but electricity is necessary when paired with an integral solenoid valve which is commonly referred to as a pilot valve.
Remote piloting can also be achieved utilizing the air supply port(s). The solenoid (pilot) valve receives an electric signal which energizes its coil and allows air to flow either in or out of the pneumatic actuator, subsequently opening/closing the ball valve.
Two types of pneumatic actuators are available: double-acting and spring-return. Both utilize a rack and pinion design, which is well known for its reliability and durability.
Double-Acting Pneumatic Actuated Ball Valves
Double-acting uses air to move internal pistons (racks) in two directions, which rotates the actuator pinion 90°. The pinion is connected to the ball valve stem and opens or closes the ball valve as it rotates. Double-acting actuators will return to the normal position when power is lost and can be configured as either normally open or normally closed. In the event that air supply is lost, double-acting actuators will stay in their current position.
Spring-Return Pneumatic Actuated Ball Valves
Spring-return uses air to move the internal pistons in one direction and springs in the other. These actuators are normally supplied as an air to open, spring to close operation, but can be supplied as air to close, spring to open. The mechanical springs can be susceptible to spring fatigue, making double-acting a better choice for high-cycle applications. Spring-return actuators will fail to the normal position in the event of either power failure or loss of air supply.
Double-Acting with Failsafe
Gemini Valve now offers an industry first double-acting pneumatic actuator with failsafe. This combines the durability of a double-acting actuator with the failsafe normally only offered by spring-return models. The actuator operates in a double-acting configuration until power or air pressure is lost, and springs engage automatically to return the valve to the normal position.