Shark-Tested Rotary Vane Actuators

For those of you who live under a rock, Shark Week  is a week long TV programming block put on by the Discovery Channel. Usually occurring in mid-late July or early August, it features entirely shark-related programming. Everything from great educational documentaries to completely ridiculous events such as Micheal Phelps racing a Great White.

So what does a blog about rotary vane actuators have to do with Shark Week? The answer lies with the good people at MythBusters.

Out to prove (or disprove) the long-standing theory that punching a shark in the nose will scare it away, host Jamie Hyneman had to design a robotic shark punching machine that would deliver a powerful punch, similar to one that a real human being would deliver.

As they have in a past MythBuster episode, the MythBusters team turned to Kinetrol for the crucial piece of equipment - the Kinetrol pneumatic rotary vane actuator.

The result was an underwater "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robot" machine with two arms, each powered by a Kinetrol Model 07 Actuator.

How Kinetrol Pneumatic Rotary Vane Actuators Work

Kinetrol pneumatic rotary vane actuators use a one piece vane and shaft produce rotary torque on the shaft output drive. The vane is assembled inside a 2-piece clam-shell enclosure. The presence of the vane creates two air chambers. By pressurizing and venting opposing chambers, the resulting pressure differential across the vane provides torque to the shaft. Torque output of the rotary vane actuator remains constant throughout the full rotation of the shaft.

Industrial Dampers and Drives

Round dampers with
pneumatic vane type drives.

By definition, a damper is a device used to control pressure, flow, or flow direction in an air or gas system. Different types of dampers can be used, depending on specific functional requirements. Table 5.7 below lists the types of dampers and their functions, and Table 5.8 lists the damper configurations. Selection of the proper damper type and blade configuration is important to achieve the required damper performance. The type and configuration of damper can significantly impact pressure drop, leakage rates, and controllability.

Click table for larger view.

Click table for larger view.

Pneumatic vane damper drive.

A very important part of damper design is determination of damper torque and sizing and selection of damper actuator for the maximum torque. Actuator torque should be selected for a minimum of 1.5 times the damper maximum torque to provide margin and allow for degradation over the life of the damper. Actuators should be evaluated for damper blade movement in both directions, at the beginning of blade movement, and while stroking blades through the full cycle of movement.

Damper operators can be one of three types: pneumatic, electric, or electro-hydraulic, as described below.

1. Pneumatic. These damper operators are used whenever controls rely primarily on compressed air (pneumatic) for moving operators or transmitting control signals.
2. Electric. These damper operators are used whenever controls rely primarily on low voltage electric circuits to transmit control signals.
3. Electrohydraulic. These damper operators are the same as the electric type described above, except they have the ability to modulate. They use an electric control signal to position a hydraulic system that, in turn, positions the damper.

Electrically operated damper drives have historically been favored, but the shift to retro-fit electric drives with pneumatic damper drives has been significant in the last two decades. When pneumatic vane actuators were first introduced for damper drive service, their virtues were quickly discovered. Their inherent design and operating advantages apply perfectly for precise damper control. These design and operating advantages are:

• Damper drives on round dampers.
• Precise, smooth signal to movement response.
• 100 percent duty cycle.
• Continuous modulating service.
• No overheating.
• High speed/high-torque.
• Fast full stroke open/close.
• Very easily serviced.
• Excels in harsh, high-temperature operating environments.
• Effectively zero air consumption in resting state.

For more information on any damper drive application, contact Kinetrol USA at 972-447-9443 or visit http://www.kinetrolusa.com.

Happy Fourth of July from Kinetrol

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

THOMAS JEFFERSON, Declaration of Independence

PROCESS EXPO 2017 Free Pass Courtesy of Kinetrol

Get a free pass to the PROCESS EXPO 2017 courtesy of Kinetrol USA!

September 19–22, 2017 • McCormick Place • Chicago, IL USA 

PROCESS EXPO is the nation’s largest trade show dedicated to bringing the latest technology and integrated solutions to all segments of the food and beverage industry.

Kinetrol is featuring the new Blueline Actuator series specifically for the food and beverage industry. Kinetrol Blueline Rotary Vane Actuators provide a superior alternative for actuating quarter-turn valves in food and beverage applications and are guaranteed for up to 4 million operations.

Stop by the Kinetrol booth #2670 and see the difference!

Instructions for your free pass: Visit this link and fill in your information. Or, go to the PROCESS EXPO 2017 site and use code 74768 when registering.

Kinetrol PROCESS EXPO 2017 Invitation from Kinetrol USA

Pneumatic Actuator Application Guide for The Asphalt Industry

There are two main types of asphalt plants, batch and continuous. Batch plants are the most widespread and offer the greatest flexibility. Single batch mixes can be produced per each customer’s requirements. Individual components are weighed and metered separately every 50-60 seconds to produce a complete batch. Continuous plants produce single mix asphalt in large quantities without interruption. The production system is simplified, which reduces maintenance, but offers less flexibility.

The following Application Guide concentrates on batch plants, although similarities exist between both.

You can read the guide below, or download it from Kintrol USA'a site here.

Pneumatic Actuator Application Guide for The Asphalt Industry from Kinetrol USA

Kinetrol USA Exhibiting at Process Expo 2017

Kinetrol USA will exhibit it's pneumatic vane actuators for use in foodservice and beverage processing at Process Expo 2017. 

The exposition will be held on September 19–22, 2017 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.

Kinetrol's exhibit is located in the North Hall, booth #2670.

Kinetrol will be promoting it'd new "Blueline" actuator and accessories. The Blueline actuators are intended to be installed in areas where harsh chemical wash-down is required. These areas are very tough on most types of pneumatic actuators because the caustic or acidic chemicals used in cleaning adversely effect the actuator.

Blueline actuator.

PROCESS EXPO is the nation’s largest trade show dedicated to bringing the latest technology and integrated solutions to all segments of the food and beverage industry.

Food and beverage processors from small to large companies across the globe attend PROCESS EXPO in Chicago, USA. Attendees cover a range of food production and manufacturing responsibilities including CEO, owner, corporate management, sales and marketing, production, operations, sanitation, maintenance, research and development, quality assurance, engineering, chefs, contract manufacturers, and more.

The attendees also represent a cross section of vertical markets in addition to manufacturers outside the food industry that can benefit from the machines, products, and safety issues covered at PROCESS EXPO. The vertical markets include:

• Bakery, Grains, Seeds, and Snacks 
• Beverage 
• Dairy 
• Meat, Poultry, Seafood 
• Prepared Foods, Fruits, Vegetables 
• Confectionery, Candy, Sweets 
• Pet Foods

For more information, about Process Expo visit this link. Contact Kinetrol USA at 972-447-9443 or by visiting their website at www.kinetrolusa.com.