New YouTube Channel Welcome Video

Kinetrol USA is reorganizing and updating its YouTube Channel. Here is the new Welcome video for the channel.

To see all Kinetrol YouTube videos visit https://www.youtube.com/c/Kinetrolusa1

Installation, Operation & Maintenance Instructions for Kinetrol Rotary Actuator: Double Acting & Spring Return Models

The Kinetrol rotary vane actuator is based upon a single moving part that converts linear motion to rotary motion. Since 1958 it has been a true workhorse solving the most demanding valve actuation applications. Millions of actuators are used around the world operating valves, drives and dampers with flawless performance.

As a matter of convenience and support, we are posting the general Kinetrol actuator IOM here for future reference.

Installation, Operation & Maintenance Instructions for Kinetrol Rotary Actuator: Double Acting & Spring Return Models from Kinetrol USA

Warehouse Palletizers Rely on Kinetrol Actuators for Trouble-free Performance

Palletizer gripper head with
Kinetrol actuator

In today’s highly automated fulfillment centers, distribution centers, and warehouse automation operations, fast, efficient and reliable packaging automation is the key to the company’s success. Complete packaging systems seamlessly connect an array of subsystems to form a cohesive, highly optimized, accurate packaging automation operation.

Palletizer with Kinetrol Actuators

One component is the palletizer subsystem. The palletizer subsystem provides automatic stacking of products on top of a pallet.

More sophisticated palletizers have complex control systems to provide the speed, accuracy and control required for large scale operation. The control systems are made up of computers, PLCs, proximity devices, and optical instruments. For product movement, transfer, and placement, palletizers rely on highly accurate pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, and electro-hydraulic motors, actuators, and drives.

Palletizer in plant.

Because of their high cycle life, smooth movement, precise control, and maintenance free operation, Kinetrol vane actuators have been very successfully used by palletizer OEMs. The actuator provides 90 degree and 180 degree rotation on the vacuum gripper head and pivot arms. During normal operation the Kinetrol actuators can see upwards of 20,000 cycle per day.

For more information on applying Kinetrol vane actuators to your packaging systems, contact:

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

Tighter Boiler Emissions Control with Pneumatic Vane Actuator Damper Drives

Pneumatic rotary vane damper drive.

In order to ensure efficient, reliable, and safe boiler operation, it is critical to accurately control the flow of the boiler's combustion air and flue gas. Poor control of airflow results in inefficient burning (wasting money), erratic cycling, flame-outs and even the possibility of toxic and hazardous emissions. In order to reduce the likelihood  of these situations, accurate airflow control is critical.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency's introduction of the MACT (Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology) Rule requires operators to institute maintenance procedures annually or bi-annually in an effort to force plant operators toward compliance. This strict new legislation has a large impact on how companies' control their emissions from industrial boilers, process heating systems and furnaces. 

Typical drive applications and designs
(click for larger picture).

Industrial boilers use dampers and louvers to control the quantity of air admitted to the furnace. Tighter boiler draft control significantly improves combustion. Any improvement in controlling the position of the dampers and increasing the positioning speed improves boiler efficiency. Damper operation needs to be precise and fast for the accurate control. 

There are an estimated 15,000 boilers, furnaces, and process heaters running in the USA, and many are using an outdated primary component to control their lovers and dampers - the electric damper drive. Electric damper drives utilize motors and gear-boxes to move and position flue gas and combustion gas dampers. However, because of the inherent movement (sometimes referred to as hysteresis) between gears, linkages and other assorted mechanisms, these drives may not provide the accuracy, power, or signal response time required for optimum control.

Enter the pneumatic vane actuator damper drive. Pneumatic vane actuator drives are a newer, but still proven, method to provide high speed, accurate, and continuous modulation of air dampers for precise control. Replacing outdated electric damper drives with fast acting, pneumatic rotary vane damper drives offers measurable improvement to burner efficiency and cleaner emissions.

Switching out electric drives with their better performing pneumatic cousins is fairly simple. Downtime is not an issue.  The old drive footprint, lever positions, connecting rods, and operational envelop are considered with every design. Any existing mechanical or electrical connection placements are matched. Since the new drive mates to all existing mounting and connections, and the envelope size is typically smaller, installing the pneumatic drive is usually a matter of pulling the old one out, and dropping the new one in.

At the heart of the pneumatic damper drive is the stalwart pneumatic rotary vane actuator. With hundreds of thousands of these devices operating in the toughest process applications around the world, their reputation is well earned. These actuators are known for their incredibly long life, ability to withstand very high cycle rates, and smooth “bump-less” control. They are also designed to handle high ambient temperatures, high vibration, and very dusty environments, typical of where boiler dampers are located. Additionally, rotary vane actuators are available with direct mount pneumatic and electro-pneumatic positioners, manual overrides, network communication modules, limit switches, and spring modules. The direct mount design eliminates external brackets and coupling, and keeps the overall package size small.

Pneumatic vane actuator damper drives are a significant improvement over traditional electric damper drives. They provide fast response to input signal changes, very accurate positioning, a reduction in plant air consumption, and they lower fuel consumption. Engineers tasked with increasingly rigorous boiler emissions requirements must consider pneumatic vane style drives as a compelling alternative to the electric drive. They truly are an example of better form, fit, and function.

Bulk Material Handling Diverter Valves Choose Vane Actuators for Reliability and Compactness

2-Way Diverter with
Kinetrol Actuator

A diverter valve is used in a pneumatic conveying system to “divert” material being conveyed to two or more different destination locations.  Because diverter valves are directly in the flow of bulk material on a pneumatic conveying system, operating conditions for the valve and actuator can be severe. Requirements vary from application to application, but in general diverter valves must be constructed from very durable materials and with few moving parts. Same goes for the pneumatic actuator driving the valve. Because of the materials and conditions, the actuator must be able to endure high cycle rates, dusty atmospheres, and high vibration over long periods of time.

Dense Phase 2- Way Diverter
with Kinetrol Actuator

Pneumatic actuators are frequently used on conveying systems because they are operated pneumatically and eliminate additional installation and safety concerns required by electric operators. The actuator is used to rotate a stainless steel shaft and arm to either the bypass (straight through), or divert (90 Deg.) position.

The durability of the vane type pneumatic actuator, along with its compact design and simplicity, continues to win over the hearts and minds of diverter valve manufacturers.   The vane actuator's reliability is attributed to one significant advantage over rack & pinion, piston, and scotch yoke actuators - the vane actuator has only one moving part.

Not all vane actuators are created equal however. Some manufactures have compromised their performance and reliability by taking design short-cuts, such as eliminating high quality coatings, and eliminating important features, such as high tolerance machining and stainless steel internals.

Stainless Steel 2-Way Diverter
with Kinetrol Actuator

This isn't the case with the manufacturer Kinetrol however. Kinetrol invented the original pneumatic vane actuator back in the 1950's and has since continually improved its design. Understanding the value of the single moving part concept, Kinetrol has engineered quality into each component of the actuator. This attention to engineering detail has established Kinetrol vane actuators as the pneumatic actuator of choice for bulk material systems and diverter valve manufacturers.

Spring Return "Deadman" Handles: Certainty of Valve Position When Unattended

Spring Return Handle on Ball Valve

If you want to operate a valve manually, but maintain the advantage of the fail-safe spring’s certainty of position when unattended, check out the Kinetrol's spring return handle.

This uniquely designed manual operator offers some compelling advantages in automating valves and provides additional levels of plant safety.

Spring return (also known as "deadman") handles will help you meet individual plant safety requirements as well as and OSHA requirements for valves that must return to the closed position after operation. Different from lever handle or gear operators which will leave the vale in the last position, the spring return deadman device ensures that the handle will always be driven to its original starting position by the associated spring.

Unique Features Include:

• Manual unit cannot be left in the wrong position
• Reliable torque delivery for valve reseat
• Fire fail-safe option, for fail-safe manual operation of valves
• Clockwise or counter clockwise 90° spring action 
• Spring housing sealed to IP65 to protect from internal corrosion
• ISO5211 female drive & ATEX Category 2 approved options available forKinetrol actuators 02, 03, 05 and 07

Kinetrol Manual Failsafe Handle from Kinetrol USA

Troubleshooting & Set Up Guide for Kinetrol EL Positioners

Kinetrol EL Positioner

The Kinetrol EL Positioner operates by modulating the percent opening / closing of a valve or damper by converting an electrical signal to a pneumatic output, which in turn, regulates the position of a pneumatic actuator.

In terms of response and accuracy, the EL Positioner is arguably one of the best electro-pneumatic positioners in the world,  particularly when used in tandem with a Kinetrol vane actuator.

The document below provides an illustrated troubleshooting and set-up guide for the EL electro-pneumatic positioner and is available to support the all the units installed in chemical, petro-chemical, water treatment, power generation and other applications across the world.

Illustrated Troubleshooting & Set Up Guide for Kinetrol EL Positioners from Kinetrol USA