Actuators & Controls
Sizing Actuators: It’s All about Communication
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- Published on Friday, 14 December 2012 12:01
- Written by Rich Oaks
The key to successful sizing or selection of the right valve actuator for a job is communication. That communication occurs between the specifier of the automated valve, the valve supplier and the actuator supplier. The selection process itself is straightforward—actuator manufacturers publish selection or technical data charts. The task of the person who is sizing or selecting consists of comparing the project’s valve actuation requirements against the actuator manufacturer’s published data.
Pneumatic Valve Actuators in Sub-Arctic Climates
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- Published on Monday, 10 September 2012 09:16
- Written by Ed Holtgraver
Sub-arctic climates experience temperatures from 100° F (38° C) in the summer to –60° F (–51° C) in the winter (Figure 1). While there is nothing spectacular about the high end of the range, the low end impacts the functionality of pneumatic actuators.
Solar-powered Valve Actuation: An Update
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- Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 09:09
- Written by Tom DeGaetano
The use of solar power in industrial and municipal valve actuator applications goes back several decades; however, technological advances in solar power efficiency and storage mean that today, it has become a practical, dependable alternative for many isolated locations.
Hydraulic Actuators Gaining in Use
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- Published on Tuesday, 06 September 2011 14:49
- Written by Kevin Hynes
Although the actuator market is dominated by pneumatic and electromechanic products, a growing number of niches require the performance levels of electrohydraulic actuators.
The Human Factor in Valve Operation
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- Published on Monday, 27 June 2011 10:18
- Written by Kevin Swicegood
Worker safety, efficiency and the cost of operations, and most recently, new methods of control, are key focal points in operating valves. One factor that affects all areas is the role and level of human involvement in the processes.
