T h e M a n u fa c T u r e r s V o i c e

Coaxial Piston Valve

Coming up with a new type of valve means answering several, legitimate questions about what is new with this type of valve and what is the intended use? Where are the industrial & process industrial segments? What is the benefit of using this type of valve?

he overall impression on seeing this valve for the first time is how different it looks. From the outside it appears strange and unlike the valves we have been used to in the past. A piston check valve comes closest to the general appearance and shape of this valve (see Figure 1). So now lets talk about the valve and its functions plus the intended use. The basic idea was to save money and space whereas space saving usually goes in-line with cost saving! If you have a look on the cross sectional view (Figure 2) you will see that it is a simple construction consisting of two body parts (Inlet & Outlet) plus a moving closing element which acts coincidentally as a pneumatic piston. So here it is: a piston valve with an incorporated actuator (pneumatic) so we can say this is either a pneumatic actuator with an incorporated process valve function or a process valve with an incorporated actuator function. The benefit of this special process valve is to save as many parts as possible and to reduce friction losses by transmission of the force into a rotary action as regularly seen in rack-and-pinion and scotch-yoke actuators. No shaft has to leave the housing for connection to a drive system (either manual or automated) so there is no possibility of leakage. In addition there is no interface connection (ISO 5211) to disturb the tolerance between the valve drive shaft and the actuator shaft which regularly leads to failures and damage of the valve and/or actuator. Accordingly, this does mean, as well that there is no need for any adjustment of

Figure 1: General view

the actuator in the end position to align either a ball and/or a butterfly valve for proper functioning. Due to the fact that only a few moving parts are present the coaxial valve itself offers a very long and durable lifetime. Movement of the piston is less than 50% of a pneumatic actuator as no turn action is needed. This also results in cost reduction if we look at the air consumption of the coaxial valve. The air consumption used by an integrated pneumatic actuator is only about 20% compared to a normal pneumatic partturn-actuator. Using this type of valve can decrease the air preparation costs, not only in volume as the volume goes directly in-line with the sizing of the compressor, dryer, storage, but also with the size of the air supply line itself.

If the opening/closing time is a main issue then have a look at this coaxial valve. Due to the small piston and the small chambers combined with the very low air-consumption, the coaxial valve can open within as short as 0.1 second which means a complete cycle is carried out in 0.2 seconds and, therefore, offers a simple and fast action for multiple uses e.g. in vacuum handling systems and/ or safety circuits where a fast shut-down sequence is vital. For verification of the OPEN & CLOSED positions please see Figure 3 and Figure 4. And, finally, all coaxial valves are available with spring-return/fail-safe actuation/ single acting and an air-port connection

Figure 2: Cross section April 2010 1

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Figure 3: Closed position

Figure 4: Open position

of either G1/8 or equivalent NPT thread to fit all requirements of NAMUR regulation as well as for the US-American market. The internal parts are all exchangeable, the piston sealing as well as the seat itself, so ease of maintenance is guaranteed for customer satisfaction. Material selection is nickel plated brass combined with several sealing materials to be compatible with most chemicals as well as air/steam applications from -20C up to + 130C and a vacuum tightness up to 740mbar. (note that high temperatures go hand in hand with reduced lifetime of the sealing system). As a coaxial valve, it is understood that in the case of a sealing leakage on the closing element, the media could possibly get inside the air supply system. Intended use of hazardous media, e.g. explosive gases, requires a leakage detection installation or equivalent action.

As an automation valve there is also a wide selection of limit switches available magnetic switches which are directly initiated by an internal magnetic strap to avoid malfunction of the indication and the process itself (see Figure 5). Please be aware of the limitation in temperature as the electronic parts (limit switch) are directly connected to the valve body which, as a soft seated valve is subject to these temperature limitations. To get the coaxial valve started, just a solenoid valve is required or a connection by air-tubing to a valve terminal. The following picture shows the benefit in space saving installations of a gas station (Figure 6). This short introduction shows that the application of the Coaxial Valve is useful in almost all segments of the process industry for almost any kind of media. The only restrictions are:

Size max. 2 Temperature -20C up to + 130C And the maximum pressure of 10 bar In conclusion, this type of valve offers a wide range of alternatives in multiple installation areas where size matters and fast action of the closing/opening of the valve is a major issue.

Figure 6: Valve assembly

Meet Gnter xler

Gnter xler is a freelancer to the Process Industry and has a long history within the valve industry. He graduated in Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering in Stuttgart, Germany, holds a MBA degree in VWA as well as a controlling degree and is a REFA specialist. For more than 25 years, Gnter has worked for several companies in the valve business. He is also a member of the IWA, ISA and VDI German Engineer. Gnter can be contacted under guenteroexler@aol.com

Figure 5: Limit switch

2 April 2010

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