Valve Information Center

Monday, February 8, 2010

Ball Valve Assembly And Disassembly 3D Presentation

Netservices India developed technical 3D presentation for Ball Valve Assembly and disassembly.

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What is a ball valve?

Do you know what is a ball valve?

A ball valve is basically a valve with a spherical disc (like a ball/hemisphere), the part of the valve which controls the flow through it. The sphere has a hole, or port, through the middle so that when the port is in line with both ends of the valve, flow will occur. When the valve is closed, the hole is perpendicular to the ends of the valve, and flow is blocked. The handle or lever will be inline with the port position letting you "see" the valve's position. The ball valve, along with the butterfly valve and plug valve, are part of the family of quarter turn valves.

Ball valves are tough, durable and work to achieve perfect shutoff. It is not designed to be gradually open and allowing the flow. It works only to open or off the flow. Hence, it is an excellent choice for shutoff applications. Other valves such as butterfly, globe or gate valve is not suitable for those type of processes. As mentioned earlier, ball valve do not offer the fine control that may be necessary in throttling applications but are sometimes used for this purpose (not advisable).


Ball valves are used extensively in industry because they are very versatile, supporting high pressures, even up to 700 bars and high temperatures up to 200°C. Sizes typically range from 0.5 cm to 30 cm. Ball valve are easy to maintain as it comes with several types of option such as single piece, double or tripple piece. A three piece body and two piece body ball valve is easier to maintain as it can be dismantled for cleaning and servicing.

The body of a ball valve can be made of metal, plastic or metal with a ceramic center. The ball is often chrome plated to make it more durable. The bigger the ball valve, the more expansive it is.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Ball Valve History & Mystery

Here is a light hearted history and trivia on the ball valve. Read it and you will never take your natural gas or electricity for granted again, ok so maybe you will…

Ball Valve mystery?

The humble ball valve has a checkered history and somewhat murky origins. It may not be cloak and dagger stuff, but it’s not without mystery… Take a look around to see where the ball valve is indispensable. For example, the ball valve is crucial to the petroleum industry, water, electric power, chemical, paper, pharmaceuticals, food, steel and other fields. If it seems we could not get a long without the ball valve, it's probably true! Given the importance of the ball valve today, it's a mystery why it took so long to invent.

Ball Valve history does not go back to ancient Greece or the American revolution or does it? The modern ball vale was invented in 1967 or about 1957 according to different sources. Who cares when the ball valve was invented? Besides the patented owner, probably not many people. Still the ball valve was major advancement over plug valves used in the 20th century. The earliest ball valves were commercially available around 1967. For ancient parallels, the ruins of Pompeii turned up a bronze tapered plug quarter turn valve that resembles to the ball valve today. How’s that for a ball valve mystery?

Ball Valve Birth Pains

Ball Valve researchers point to a spherical ball-type valve patented in 1871 led to the invention of today's ball valve. This ball valve was an all brass valve- brass ball and brass seats. Apparently this ball valve didn't storm the market and was not mentioned in valve catalogs of the late 1800's While today's ball valve is quite a recent invention, the idea for this ball valve has been around about 125 years. The first resilient seated ball valve patent was issued in April,1945. Legend has it the company’s marketing department could not envision a use for the valve and it was not manufactured. Oh well, that’s the way the ball valve bounces...Given the huge reliance on the ball valve today, it's a mystery why it took so long for people to invent and use the ball valve.

Ham-Let is a leading ball valve producer in quality, variety and ball valve development. For more info on Hamlet’s ball valve line of products, please contact Ham-Let.

Learn about heat exchanger tubing here.

Monday, April 27, 2009

An Introduction To Valves

In this modern society, valves are considered very useful components in different processes of manufacturing and systems of supply. If you look around you, values are part of every household. They are responsible for controlling the flow of all types of liquid, as well as the rate, pressure, volume and the direction. Not only that, valves control the direction of different gases, slurries and other dry materials through a pipe or any other type of passageway. Without these valves, there will be no automatic heat, public utilities or fresh water, and there will be no energy of any kind.

There are several types of valves, including EGR valves, solenoid valves and ball valves. These valves can be turned on or off, and can be regulated. They are very effective at modulating or isolating fluids.

EGR valves or exhaust gas recirculation valves serve as the intake and exhaust valves in automobiles that open at the appropriate time in order to let in a mixture of fuel and air and to let out exhaust. Car emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution, and so automotive engineers use these EGR valves in order to reduce emissions.

Solenoid valves, on the other hand, are electromagnetic device that are usually found in automotive starter systems, industrial air hammers and electric bell assemblies. These are also used on several other machines that require power in order to make a specific part move.

Meanwhile, ball valves are valves that integrate a mounted or floating ball design that can be used for control and shut-off purposes. These valves are used on many applications such as allied process industries, chemical processing industries and corrosive and cryogenic services.

Even though these valves are used in different applications, they only have one purpose and that is to become invaluable components in this modern day society.

Valves provides detailed information on Valves, EGR Valves, Solenoid Valves, Ball Valves and more. Valves is affiliated with Copper Sinks.

Friday, April 3, 2009

What You Should Know About Hunter PGV Series Valves

Hunter PGV series valves are a complete lineup of professional-caliber valves known for their durability and optimum level of performance. What makes these valves so popular among agricultural and industrial clients? First, they are made with a Hunter-brand solenoid, which allows for long lasting durability even after extended use. The high PVC construction of these units makes it capable of standing over 150 psi pressure. The internal/external manual bleed feature ensures that the valve box is left dry, while the rigid diaphragm support ensures double protection even in tough conditions. Hunter PGV series valves have captive bonnet bolts, which together with the solenoid plunger, protect against the loss of parts. Additionally, Hunter PGV series valves offer maximum control to users by way of flow control, globe and angle configurations and Accu-Set pressure regulator compatibility.

However, there is another Hunter PGV series of valves that offers even more advantages to residential clients. The Jar Top Hunter PGV series of valves allows service to a Hunter valve but without requiring any special tools to gain access to the internal structure. This makes product maintenance much easier, but at the same time, does not sacrifice any quality or performance for easy accessibility. Like the original Hunter PGV series of valves the Jar Top Hunter series features valves are made of extra-durable PVC material, which is known to be resistant against corrosion and UV-rays. It is also constructed with a rugged double-beaded diaphragm with support; this allows the unit to be leak-proof and prevent any unforeseen stress failure. Lastly, the Jar Top Hunter PGV series valves are made with encapsulated solenoid that ensures dependability over a long period of times, even when tested day-by-day.

The Hunter PGV series is one of Hunter's best series and a very popular selection with both commercial and residential clients. Hunter is one of the most trusted companies in landscaping and has been since their beginning in 1981. They achieved monumental success with their sprayers early on, but have come to innovate more products in the planting and irrigation market, such as the Hunter PGV series original and Jar Top versions.

Richard Gilliland is VP of GreenMarkIrrigation.com the largest wholesale dealer and distributor for Hunter PGV Valves and sprinklers

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Don't Use A Needle Valve To Control Your Air Cylinder Speed!

Many industrial machines using compressed air as an energy source, use air cylinders or other pneumatic actuators to do the actual work.

Compressed air is 'explosive' as it moves from high pressure to low pressure on it's way back to atmosphere. That means when the air valve shifts and air flows to the cylinder, the cylinder piston and rod moves extremely quickly. A high speed cylinder rod may not be best for your application, and you will want to reduce the speed and the impact.

One easy method of controlling the speed of an air cylinder is installing flow controls in the air lines between the valve to the air cylinder, in the cylinder ports themselves, or even in the exhaust ports of the air valve, though the latter is least desirable.

In the 'valve exhaust' type flow control the controls themselves may be far enough away from the cylinder that the piston and rod may have traveled the full stroke before the exhaust flow control can start back-pressuring the line to slow the cylinder. Cylinder control reaction time is always negatively affected depending on the distance from the cylinder to the flow control.

Some folks opt for needle valves to throttle the flow of air into and out of the air cylinder, thereby reducing it's speed. The problem with using a needle valve to control the speed of an air cylinder is that it throttles the compressed air flow equally in both directions.

If you are using a larger cylinder, by throttling the air into the cylinder, you are actually preventing the smooth cylinder stroke desired. As air pressure builds in the cylinder it will reach the point where it overcomes the friction of the piston and rod seals and the piston will start to move. As it moves, it increases the volume of the air space inside the cylinder behind itself. The piston moves toward one end of the cylinder creating a larger area behind than in front of it. This is an area into which air has to flow quickly to ensure that the piston keeps moving. If the air inrush cannot keep up with the increasing cavity size there will be insufficient pressure to keep the piston moving, and it will stop. So too will your piston rod, and whatever tooling you have installed on the end of it.

The rule of thumb for using a flow control to reduce and smooth air cylinder piston travel is to only throttle the exhaust air from the cylinder. The air flowing into the cylinder port should never be reduced.

How is this accomplished?

Use a "cylinder flow control". This is a device that may not look any different from the needle valve. Inside, however, there is a "needle bypass" which allows the air to bypass the needle which is throttling the air achieving full flow of air unidirectionally.

The "free flow" of compressed air through the cylinder flow control allows the unit, when it's installed in the correct orientation, to provide full and un-throttled inrush of air to the cylinder, yet, when the valve has shifted and the double-acting air cylinder has reversed, the air that is now flowing out of the cylinder is throttled to the level necessary to achieve the cylinder speed desired.

There will be a second cylinder flow control on the other line too, and this works exactly the same way.

As a result, air flow into the cylinder ports at either end of the cylinder is totally unencumbered providing high-force piston movement. The piston is trying to go fast and at full power, but since the exhaust flow of air is impeded by the cylinder flow control, the piston moves with full power, but at a controlled and desired rate.

Most cylinder flow controls will have a schematic on the side showing the flow paths to ensure that they are installed correctly.

Some cylinder flow controls are equipped with sealant coated male threads for screwing into the cylinder port, and with an "instant" type fitting into which the cylinder air line can be quickly fitted, features that save time and money.

Bill Wade's experience in compressed air and other industries spans decades; from field sales positions through to the corporate presidential office. His sales agency represents a select group of industrial firms. Mr. Wade writes about all facets of compressed air at http://www.about-air-compressors.com

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Butterfly Valve in the Industrial World

In its simplest terms, a valve is an apparatus that establishes the flow of any particular substance, from gases, fluidized solids, any kind of liquids, to slurries. Normally, this device regulates the flow of such substances by opening, closing, or fractionally obstructing different passageways. This kind of apparatus is used in a number of applications, including military, residential, transportation, commercial, and of course, industrial applications. These valves are used in two ways; either driven by pressure, such as for safety reasons in steam engines, or used in a controlled manner, like when driven by a camshaft, where valves play a major role in engine cycle control.

When it comes to valves, there are a lot of types that can be used in different ways. One particular type of valve would be the butterfly valve. This valve is specifically used in large pipes, and is described as a disk rotating on a diametrical axis inside a pipe, also used as a throttle valve or a damper. The butterfly valve is a sort of device that controls the flow, normally used to administer a certain fluid that would flow through a certain section of a pipe. This valve is similar (with regards to operation) to a ball valve. The butterfly valve, having a flat circular plate, is positioned in the center of the pipe, and the plate has a rod through it that is attached to a handle on the outside of the valve. This valve works by rotating the handle, and turning the plate over either in a parallel position, or perpendicular to the flow. Not like the ball valve, the plate in the butterfly valve is always there within the flow; therefore a kind of pressure drop is always induced in the flow, despite the position of the valve.

Butterfly valves have three different types. The high performance butterfly valve, which is generally double eccentric in design, is working the pressure for up to 725 PSI. The second type would be the resilient butterfly valve, which has a flexible rubber seat. This type would work the pressure for up to 232 PSI. And finally, the last type would be the tricentric butterfly valve, which is normally designed with metal seating. This valve works the pressure for up to 1450 PSI.

There are also several kinds of butterfly valves available in the market. Wafer style valves would be the most common, since people who get to order such would not even say the word "wafer", but still get the butterfly valve that they want. This kind is under plastic butterfly valves, which is available in two styles, the wafer and the lug. On the other hand, lug style valves have metal inserts that are established in the bolt holes of the valve. These inserts are threaded on both ends, and this alone allows them to be positioned into a specific system with the use of two bolts and no nuts. Also called a butterfly damper, this valve simply controls the flow by use of a disk through a specific port.

Corazon Padol is the webmaster of MEA Incorporated. MEA Inc is a world leading organization that is composed of designers, engineers and manufacturers of valves and actuator including hydraulic actuator, gate valve, hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder and etc. For more information visit http://www.meaincorporated.com/.