Pneumatic Actuator with 180 Degree Rotation for Your Multi-Port Valve

180 degree actuator
for multi-port valves.

So you need a pneumatic actuator with more than 90 degrees of rotation - most likely for a multi-port valve, or a custom louver or damper. Here's an excellent solution.

The simplicity and dependability of a 90 degree rotary vane actuator with a 2:1 step-up linkage mounted to the output shaft.

Kinetrol vane actuators provide factory fitted, direct mount linkage units for their models 02, 03, 05, 07, 09, 12, 14 and 16 actuators, giving a neat single unit with no mount kits or brackets. An added benefit is the linkage’s unique geometry gives constant 2:1 step-up, so that the output torque remains constant throughout the actuator's travel.

The all-steel mechanism of the linkage employs rolling contacts to minimize frictional losses and wear, and to maximize life. The linkage is lubricated for life, and encased in a robust, fully sealed die cast alloy casing. Exterior surfaces are protected by a corrosion resistant epoxy stove enamel finish. 

Standard adjustable end-stops on the 90 degree actuator can be used to set the angle of travel. The other end of the 90 degree actuator allows the full range of Kinetrol modular accessories to be fitted directly.

120 degree actuators are also available with adjustable end stops to give up to 133°.

Kinetrol Actuator on Asphalt Plug Valve

Kinetrol actuator on asphalt valve.

A Mid-west asphalt manufacturer purchased Kinetrol actuators for use at two of their plants as a trial for possible standardization. This asphalt producer owns 7 asphalt mix plants and has been plagued with failing rack and pinion actuators. They're used to open and close their liquid asphalt valves (Homestead plug valves).

The service is extremely nasty, as the asphalt is hot, sticky and gets everywhere. The Kinetrol actuators were installed on 3” Homestead liquid asphalt plug valves with extended brackets and couplings to prevent the actuators from seeing over-temperatures. The valves are cycled 10 times per day.

Since the summer of 2014 they have installed 5 Kinetrol actuators and all are working without problems. The initial results are so positive the customer plans to standardize on Kinetrol Vane Actuators, and replace the rack and pinion actuators as they fail.

Rotary Vane Actuator on Specialty Valves, Dome Valves, and Double Flap Valves Used for Abrasive Powders and Bulk Materials

Actuators on specialty
purpose valves and gates.

Kinetrol actuators, positioners, indicators and limit switches are the preferred valve automation products when it comes to severe service applications.  One of the most challenging is bulk material handling.

Used to to accurately control the flow of bulk solids as they are being discharged from silos, bins and hoppers, Kinetrol products automate the specialized gate and mixer valves, dome valves, double flap valves, pot type diverter valves, and flow control gate valves.

These specialty valves all have one thing in common - the actuators are exposed to extremely dusty and dirty atmospheres, with significant amounts of vibration, and are located in areas where downtime is very costly.

Kinetrol vane actuators are used because of their ruggedness and their reliability. Positioners can be used to provide control via a 4-20ma input signals. Kinetrol pneumatic actuators have a much smaller footprint, smoother operation compared to more conventional linear pneumatic cylinders, and consume much less air. This results in significant savings in energy costs.

This video presents a variety of bulk material valve applications Kinetrol actuators have been used on.

A Cheesy Application for a Kinetrol Actuator & Positioner

Kinetrol Actuator, Positioner and Spring on
Steam Line in Cheese Making Plant

High above the cheese factory floor, mounted to a 1-1/2 steam supply pipe is a lonely V-ported ball valve with a Kinetrol 097-120 actuator, spring  unit, and positioner. The valve is controlling 180 PSIG steam at 375 Deg. F. with the ambient air surrounding the actuator, positioner and spring unit at a constant 135 deg. F.

Its a tough application, and critical to keep running. Losing steam supply is very costly because of production losses and access to the valve is difficult.

The plant maintenance people tried a few of the more well-known valve/actuator packages without success. These packages would last a few weeks (a couple months at best), before failing. Frustrated and out of answers, the maintenance crew turned to a local Kinetrol Distributor salesperson for advice.

Knowing Kinetrol actuators, spring units and positioners are designed for the toughest applications, the salesperson specified the 097-120 on top of a Triad v-ported ball valve. Hopeful, but with little optimism, the maintenance crew installed the 1-1/2 control valve on the steam line and fired the system up.

For 11 months now (without any downtime), 24 hours a day, this lonely control valve, powered by a Kinetrol positioner and vane actuator, accurately throttles the steam supply and reliably keeps the cheese process line running.

Problem solved by Kinetrol!

Why Kinetrol Pneumatic Vane Actuators Are Superior in Design - in 20 Sec...

It's a bold statement, but it's backed up with decades of proven performance, millions of actuators in the field, and many happy customers.

• Single moving part - Simplest and most reliable mechanism for quarter-turn rotary actuation.
• Close couple control modules - Fail-safe spring returns, limit switches, positioners and solenoid valves all close couple to the actuators.
• No cranks or gearing - No power loss or backlash - allows accurate positioning.
• Durable corrosion resistant finish
• Long maintenance-free life - Up to 4 million operations guaranteed.
• Compact - space saving - efficient - Best torque/size package available, fast operating speeds, best air consumption, proven design.
• Millions of units in trouble free service all over the world
• Choice of male or female output drive square - easy to interface to application
• Unique serial number for identification and traceability

Kinetrol USA
1085 Ohio Drive
Plano, Texas 75093
(972) 447-9443 phone
(972) 447-9720 fax
sales@kinetrolusa.com

Work with a Valve Automation Professional on Your Next Project for Improved Outcome and Efficiency

The valve automation
sales professional
will help with your next project.

Projects requiring engineered valve systems are best completed and accomplished through the proper selection and application of the valves, actuators, positioners, limit switches and other associated components. A great resource exists, ready to provide a high level of technical knowledge and assistance, that can be easily tapped to help you with your project - the valve automation sales professional.

Local distributors and representatives who sell industrial valves, actuators and controls also provide services and equipment that will save you time, money, and help you achieve a better outcome for the entire project.

Consider a few elements the valve automation professional brings to your project:

Product Knowledge: Valve automation professionals are current on product offerings, proper application technique, and product capabilities. They also posses  information on future product obsolescence and upcoming new designs. This type of information is not generally accessible to the public via the Internet.

Experience: As a project engineer, you may be treading on new ground regarding some aspects of your current valve system design assignment. There can be real benefit in connecting to an experienced and highly knowledgable source, with past exposure to your current challenges.

Access: Through a valve automation professional, you may be able to establish a connection to “behind the scenes” manufacturer contacts with essential information not publicly available. The rep knows people at the factories, a well as at other valve related companies, who can provide quick and accurate answers to your valve automation related questions.

Article courtesy of Kinetrol USA

Of course, any valve actuation or automation solution proposed are likely to be based upon the products sold by the representative. That is where considering and evaluating the benefits of any solution becomes part of achieving the best project outcome.

Develop a professional, mutually beneficial relationship with a local valve automation professional to make your design job go after, more efficiently, and more cost effective. Their success is tied to your success, and they are eager to help you.

Pneumatic Actuators in Marine Environment (Offshore Rigs)

High density, cramped spots are ideal
for Kinetrol actuators and accessories.

Offshore oil rigs present some special challenges to pneumatic actuator manufacturers. First, the corrosive marine environment takes a harsh toll on the internal and external parts of a typical actuator. Rack and pinion actuators are particularly susceptible.

Because rotary vane actuators, (such as Kinetrol) or their spring units, don't "breathe" ambient air, they have great immunity to internal corrosion. Also, a very durable, epoxy enamel finish and stainless steel hardware provide maximum external protection.

Ideal for corrosive, marine installation.

Another challenge for offshore use is the very limited space available. Facilitation of large scotch yoke actuators, is quite difficult. Actuators such as Kinetrol's compact vane design with integral direct-mount limit switch make it a perfect choice in applications where space is at a premium. In these cramped and below grating installations you want the long maintenance-free life that you can install with confidence for years of service.

Click on images for larger view.

Low maintenance is important
in hard to get to places

Long life where access is a problem.

Elegantly Engineered Pneumatic Valve Actuators. A Simple, Single Moving Part

One moving part. Simple. Elegant.

According to Wikipedia, elegance is "a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity." In engineering terms, "a solution may be considered elegant if it uses a non-obvious method to produce a solution which is highly effective and simple. "

When you compare the mechanics of various other pneumatic valve actuators, such as rack and pinion or scotch yoke with their internal gears, bushings and bearings, you immediately understand that simplicity is sacrificed and the design is certainly not elegant.

Actuators with gears wear.

When gears mesh, there is friction. Friction causes heat and wear, which effects the mechanical life of the actuator. Friction converts kinetic energy into thermal energy and can have dramatic consequences if left unchecked. Another important consequence of friction is wear, which may lead to performance degradation and/or damage to the internal components of a rack and pinion or scotch yoke actuator.

"Fretting wear" is caused by the repeated cyclical rubbing between two surfaces (gears in the case of scotch yoke or rack and pinion actuators) and over a period of time, will remove material from one or both surfaces.

Backlash happens when gears change direction. It is caused by the gap between the trailing face of the driving tooth and the leading face of the tooth behind it. The gap must be closed before force can be transferred in the new direction, hence the phenomena of backlash. This is also sometimes referred to as "slop".

A well designed vane actuator uses a single piece of machined steel for both the vane body and drive shafts. With this design, the shaft and vane are not affected by backlash, friction or wear.

For more information, contact:

Kinetrol USA
1085 Ohio Drive
Plano, Texas 75093
(972) 447-9443 phone
(972) 447-9720 fax
sales@kinetrolusa.com

Welcome to the Kinetrol USA Blog

We'll be using this site as a place to educate people about the advantages of rotary vane actuators and showcase interesting and unique applications.

We'll try to post as often as possible and keep the site fresh. Please check back frequently.