What Is a Vane Actuator?

Inside view of a vane actuator showing the clam-shell
design, internal chamber layout, and double-sided vane.

Vane actuators use pneumatic or hydraulic power to open, close, or modulate quarter-turn valves, dampers, louvers, as well as for precise movement of ergonomic lifting equipment.

Linear motion gas/hydraulic cylinder or piston actuators use gears to convert linear to rotary motion. Vane actuators employ a rigid vane inside a sealed chamber that is connected directly to the drive shaft at one end with no gears. The result is much smoother rotary movement and greater cycle life.

Vane actuators operate by introducing a fluid or gas to either side of it's enclosure through inlet/outlet ports, creating the force required for movement. Advanced vane actuators utilize double sided vanes that allow for pressurization of both sides, allowing for bi-directional movement. The vane itself provides an arc movement in the far side (opposite the shaft) of the actuator, translating rotary movement back to its integrated shaft.

The vane actuator shaft is designed to connect directly to a device (valve, damper, ergo mechanism) for the transfer of movement. In advanced design vane actuators, the shaft is completely sealed from the pressurized side of the vane via “lip seals” which act to prevent the loss of air/gas/oil through shaft seals or bearings. With the help of spring steel supports, the lip seals are kept in constant contact with the inner surface of the chamber wall at all times during rotation. A side benefit of lip seals are the self-cleaning or sweeping action they provide to the inside chamber surfaces.

Since the double-sealed vane separates the vane actuator chamber in two sides, movement in either direction can be changed merely by creating a pressure differential on either side of the vane. Inlet/outlet ports allow for the pressurization and de-pressurization for either side. As gas or fluid is introduced to one side, the vane is forced away, toward the opposite side. By reversing the pressure and vent ports, and pressurizing the opposite chamber, the actuator moves in the opposite direction.

When vane actuators use only gas or fluid as their source for movement in both directions, they are referred to as “double acting”. When an optional spring is used to provide the power in one direction (open or close) they are referred to as “spring return”.

For more information on vane actuators, visit http://www.kinetrolusa.com

Kinetrol Clear Cone Monitor & Solenoid Valve Cut Sheet

The optional Clear Cone provides all round high visibility position monitoring on all limit switch boxes and positioner models. A red/green colour coded monitor is sealed inside a robust, clear polycarbonate cover. Positioner models are marked with black printed legible angle scales.

As an option Kinetrol actuator sizes 03 to 15 can be supplied with integral solenoid valves with NAMUR interface. Air is ported through the actuator body via an adaptor so no external tubing is necessary

See the full cut sheet below:

Kinetrol Clear Cone Monitor & Solenoid Valve Cut Sheet from Kinetrol USA

Vane Actuators Perform Better: Its All About the Gears (or Lack Thereof)

Why do vane actuators consistently outlast rack and pinion and scotch yoke actuators? The truth is in the gears.

Gears wear.

Surface wear, contact fatigue, scuffing and tooth bending are all real-life issues when dealing with gears. Surface wear affects gear contact in such a way that accelerates failure modes by increasing contact stresses and load distributions. This always leads to reduced accuracy and loss of smooth operation. Wear can never be completely eliminated, and over time, progresses at a more rapid rate.

Typical rack and pinion design - note gear arrangement

Types of Stress on a Gear

• Sliding stress - causes surface fatigue damage.
• Rolling stress - causes contact fatigue damage.
• Bending stress - like a cantilever beam, always deforms. 

Vane actuator - no gears

Pure simplicity - the rotary vane.

One moving part. No gears.

The rotary vane actuator design is based upon a single moving part which eliminates gears required to convert linear motion to rotary motion. This simple and innovative concept provides an extremely reliable mechanism for operating valves, drives and dampers.

More Accurate Control

Another advantage rotary vane actuators have over rack & pinion and scotch yoke actuators is in smoothness and accuracy of control. The more mechanical connections the actuator has, the greater the cumulative hysteresis, and the lower the control responsiveness and accuracy.

For long, trouble-free performance, choose a rotary vane actuator for your next valve actuation or damper drive requirement. You'll be very glad in the long run. 

The ISO 5211 Valve Mounting Flange and Actuator Connection

Valve with ISO 5211 Flange

ISO 5211 is a European standard that specifies requirements for the attachment of part-turn actuators, with or without gearboxes, to industrial valves.

A standard interface between actuator, valve, solenoids, and positioners  provides many benefits. Actuated valve assemblies are installed in a very wide range of applications and operating conditions resulting in many custom designs. Understanding the connection between these components is critical for long life, safety, and performance.

A standard mounting / connecting device lowers inventory costs and allows for faster maintenance and repair. Standardization also allows for the replacement of brands, so long as both adapt to the standard. Finally, using industry standard adapters maintain consistent specifications and tolerances which improve performance by reducing hysteresis and mechanical wear.

Kinetrol manufactures an ISO adapter for its models 02, 03, 05, 07, 08 and 09 which allows for mounting ISO 5211 valves directly to standard Kinetrol double acting actuators.

For more information about Kinetrol's ISO adapter, please review the document below.

Kinetrol ISO 5211 Valve Drive Interface from Kinetrol USA

Short Kinetrol Actuator Application Video

Here's a brief video of Kinetrol actuators applications.

Hear Kinetrol USA's Neil Meredith Interviewed at WEFTEC 2016

Neil Meredith

Kinetrol USA's Mid-West Regional Sales Manager Neil Meredith was interviewed at WEFTEC 2016 about Kinetrol products, markets, and opportunities. Take a minute to hear what he says!

WEFTEC®, the Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the biggest meeting of its kind in North America and offers thousands of water quality professionals from around the world the best water quality education and training available today. Also recognized as the world’s largest annual water quality exhibition, WEFTEC’s massive show floor provides unparalleled access to the field’s most cutting-edge technologies and services.

Kinetrol actuators are widely used in municipal water systems across the United States and are known for their outstanding performance, durability, and extreme high cycle life.

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