Servo-driven ball valve - features and purpose

Ball valves have long established themselves as reliable shut-off valves. Recently, due to the use of servo drives and other types of remote drives, the functionality of these devices has been significantly expanded. For example, a three-way valve with servo has found wide application in a variety of automatic systems for controlling the flow of liquid and gas.

In this article we will take a closer look at what these devices are and for what purposes they are used.

Features of cranes with a drive

General information

So, as mentioned above, ball valves belong to the valves. Unlike other types of valves, they are designed exclusively to completely shut off the flow of liquids or gases (see also the article Ball valve compression valve - features and purpose).

These devices are called ball because their locking mechanism has the shape of a ball through which a hole passes. When the ball is rotated 90 degrees, i.e. its location perpendicular to the axis of the pipeline, the flow is blocked.

The sealing device provides two rings made of soft material that fit snugly to the ball. Due to the simplicity of the mechanism, these products are distinguished by reliability and durability.

The use of the drives allowed us to automate the operation of the devices or to control them remotely, for example, a ball valve with a pneumatic actuator is used in industrial pipelines to control the flow of liquids and gases in potentially hazardous industries. It is also used where the use of electric motors is not recommended.

It should be noted that the pneumatic hydraulic actuator of the ball valve provides a large torque with small dimensions of the drive itself, and this has earned its popularity in production. However, for domestic purposes, these devices do not apply.

On the other hand, servo-driven shut-off ball valves have found wide application in housing protection systems against flooding. In addition, it is used in air conditioning systems, where, depending on the temperature, it automatically blocks or opens the flow of coolant.

Note! On sale there are valves with servo drives, designed for different voltages - from 12 to 220 V. This parameter must be paid attention to when buying a product.

Servo device

Servo control consists of only two elements:

• Electric motor;
• Gear reducer, which by a twist of 90 degrees opens and closes the water supply.

A ball valve drive opens and closes it when the direction of rotation of the motor changes. Thus, the servo device is quite simple.

Tip! You can make an electric drive for a ball valve yourself. For these purposes, the motor from the rear wiper VAZ-2109, which makes a revolution of only 100 degrees (with taking into account the backlash of the levers, it turns out just 90 degrees).

As a rule, the electric motor is located in an airtight housing, separated from the valve itself by a series of seals. Therefore, the device is safe.

On the case of the mechanism there is a button or lever that allows you to control the crane with your own hands, for example, if electricity is turned off. In addition, electric actuators have an internal auxiliary microswitch that allows you to control the operation of a pump, boiler, or other equipment related to water supply.

Currently, the market has a large range of products in question, both from foreign and domestic manufacturers. Moreover, the latter are not inferior to the quality, but at the same time, the price for them is lower.

Application

First of all, it must be said that the electric drive only changes the position of the locking mechanism. The same device is controlled by thermostats, thermostatic timers or other devices that send electric current to the mechanism's electric motor.

As an example, consider the operation of this device in the system of protection against flooding, which can be used for both water supply and heating.

So, in addition to valves, it includes:

• Leakage sensors.
• Controller.

A similar system works as follows:

• The sensors are located in places where there is the greatest likelihood of water accumulation in the event of flooding.. The principle of operation of this device is based on the fact that water closes two contacts, as a result of which a pulse is sent to the controller.
• The controller after receiving the signal from the sensor sends an electric current to the electric motor.
• The electric actuator in turn closes the valve and thereby blocks the water supply. After that you can turn on the water supply yourself by pressing the button on the drive housing.

According to this principle, other systems work with the use of valves with a drive.

Note! The crane with the drive in systems of protection against flooding, is established after the shutoff valves blocking water on an entrance to the house or the apartment. Using the device instead of mechanical valves is prohibited.

Here, perhaps, all the main features of valves with a drive.

Conclusion

Actuators for ball valves allow not only to control them remotely, but also to use them in automatic flow control systems. In particular, systems of protection of housing against flooding have recently become very popular. Therefore, they can be called a promising invention (see also the article Radiator valve - everything you need to know about this valve and control valves).

From the video in this article you can get some additional information on the designated topic.