How To Install and Remove a Kinetrol Actuator Spring Unit

This video demonstrates how to install and removed a spring unit for a Kinetrol vane actuator. Spring units are available for either clockwise or counter clockwise spring action. They are mounted, as standard, between the actuator and what it drives. With spring units alone, direction is determined by looking at the unit from the end which interfaces with the actuator.

New Blueline Section on Kinetrol USA Website

The Blueline Series actuators and spring return units with food grade coating have been added to the KinetrolUSA.com website.

More information can be found here - http://www.kinetrolusa.com/blueline.

New Product: Kinetrol Model 15 Spring Unit in Male and Female Drive

Kinetrol has just released the new Model 15 Spring Unit which consists of a new single spring in a sealed, non-breathing housing, rather than the Model 15*-0*0-5900 which consists of two model 14 springs.

The new spring design has significant benefits including over a 30% reduction in weight, over 25% reduction in the axial dimension and an increase in the pressure range from 3.5 Bar to 5.5 Bar.

The spring unit is available in both male and female drive (F14 with a 36mm A/F female square) and will retrofit to all Model 15 Actuators.

Visit this link to download dimensional drawings.

Kinetrol Spring Return Units: Spiral Torsion Springs Are Key

Simple view of spiral
torsion spring (protruding
tab and hex center
are loading points.)

Spiral torsion springs are found in many places - clocks, watches, timers ... and Kinetrol spring return units!

Capable of storing much more energy than a typical compression spring, and working in smaller, more compact packages, spiral torsion springs for valve and damper actuation are a proven step-up over helical compression springs.

When a torque is applied to a spiral torsion spring, an angular displacement is created between the first and second loading points, the coil deflects (tightens), and the spring material is placed under stress, exerting a linear (to the degree of rotation) rotational "output" torque,  which drives the spring's rotation. Practically speaking, spiral torsion springs allow for lower torque loss, lower torque stress, and much greater reliability for use in valve and damper actuation.

Kinetrol Spring Return Unit
(note cutaway revealing
spiral torsion spring.)

Along with the inherent advantages of spiral torsion springs, additional benefits of the Kinetrol spring return unit are:

• Separate housing for modular assembly, easily retrofitted
• Sealed, non-breathing housing: Protects spring in corrosive environments
• Adjustable pretension for 'balanced' air and spring stroke torques: Various combinations available for balanced / optimized torques at various air pressures
• Keeper plates available to ensure safe handling of pretensioned springs
• Available with ISO/DIN female drive and mounting

The combination of the spiral torsion spring reliability plus the advanced engineering design allow Kinetrol to offer a guarantee against failure of the spring unit for the lifetime of the mating actuator!

For more information, contact Kinetrol USA by visiting www.kinetrolusa.com or calling 972-447-9443.

20" High Performance Butterfly Valve Closed in Under 1/2 Second!

Fast closing Kinetrol actuator

This video demonstrates how quickly a large butterfly valve can be closed with a Kinetrol vane actuator spring return unit. In this case, it's a 20" stainless steel high performance butterfly valve (HPBV) being tested in the shop.

You'll note the valve takes about 11 seconds to open, but only 0.4 seconds to close, using the Kinetrol spring return unit.

Quick closing valves are used in emergency situations to stop the flow of fluids that may contribute to uncontrolled combustion, cause backstream contamination, or allow spillage of hazardous materials.

Kinetrol Solves the Toughest Pneumatic Actuator Challenges

Kinetrol pneumatic vane actuators are world-renowned for their high cycle rate, durability, sealed spring unit, and precise control.

Kinetrol provides a rugged, corrosion-resistant pneumatic vane actuator with only a single moving part.

This simple and innovative design provides a highly accurate and extremely reliable actuator for operating valves, drives and dampers, and is perfectly suited for the most demanding process control control applications.

The Kinetrol vane actuator is warranted to operate trouble-free for 4,000,000 (million) cycles.

For more information, contact:

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

Kinetrol Pneumatic Rotary Vane Actuator Product Selection

Here is an easy-access, online vane actuator catalog from Kinetrol that includes pneumatic actuators, spring return units, positioners, indicators, limit switches, solenoid valves, and other valve actuation equipment.

Kinetrol Rotary Vane Actuator Catalog from Kinetrol USA