Happy Holidays from Kinetrol USA

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Product Update: Kinetrol VLS Limit Switch Box

After a decade since the launch of the Kinetrol Universal Limit Switch Box it has become necessary to replace the tooling. As a result, Kinetrol has taken the opportunity to make some improvements to the design.

With the continued pressure for modularization and commonality a new precision die cast switch box will offer some positive improvements over the current model, including more internal space for future developments. The new design is known as the VLS Limit Switch Box.

Reduction in Weight. The unit will offer a reduction in weight of the standard 07 version from 2.32 lbs (1.05 kg) to 1.50 lbs (0.68 kg).

All New Plastic Coupling. Improved access to mounting screws for all electronic options for easy actuator mounting. Coupling is permanently retained in the box and does not need removing.

New coupling has a lower Oring which makes all shafts discretely sealed when not mounted. Coupling retainer is replaced with an integral shoulder on the coupling.

All new switch strikers. Common standard strikers for both mechanical switches and proximity sensor activation.

New Standard V3 Switch (004). New V3 switches offers a more defined switch point.

New Mounting for Model 03 and 05. The VLS Limit Switch Box will be supplied as a Model 07 Female Square as standard, (only one size box) which can then be converted with the use of two adaptor options to suit Model 03 and Models 05 Actuators reducing the number of switch box variations distributors stock. SP1620 - Model 03 mounting kit (includes removable plate coupling and fixings) SP1621 - Model 05 mounting kit (includes removable plate and coupling and fixings)

New Standard Conduit Entries. The conduit entries will remain M20 for ISO and 1/2” NPS for ANSI however the land profile has been changed. The additional entries on the four-entry version remain unchanged.

Switch Options. All switch options will be available including the pneumatic switch option (002) except for ATEX approved versions. ATEX Approved switch options (001, 002, 003 and 009) are currently undergoing ATEX testing and will be available later. As a result, these will continue to use the older design ULS.

Please refer to the Kinetrol coding on the VLS Tech Bulletin located on this Kinetrol USA web page.

Modular Concept. These changes will affect the modular approach when fitting the VLS box to Model 03 and 05 actuators. On actuator Models 07 to 15 there is no change. The discrete option for Models 16 to 30 will now utilize SP1602 07/05 reducer and SP1601 Discrete 05 Drive Adaptor offering a price saving over the old design.

VLS Coding. The coding has been changed to reflect the new design by adding a “V” after the U for non ATEX standard options. ATEX switch options (switch type 001, 002, 003, 009) will remain as “0” after the U in the code.
Examples of code change:

• 097-104U005004M (DA+ULS) becomes 097-104UV05004M (DA+VLS)
• 077-004U005004M (ULS) becomes 077-004UV05004M (VLS)
• 077-001U001000 (ULS ATEX) is unchanged

Angle Retransmit and Pot Assembly – The new Angle Retransmit and Potentiometer uses a geared coupling which replaces the standard coupling when fitted. This new design will also offer an additional price savings. The old ULS Angle Retransmit assembly is not compatible to retrofit with the new VLS unit. All other options are unchanged including AS-interface, Terminal Blocks, Multi-Terminal PCB.

New Product: Kinetrol Model 60 Rotary Vane Actuator

Kinetrol is pleased to announce the introduction of the new Model 60 Actuator which will now increase the torque capability of the Kinetrol range to 356,977 inch pounds.

Kinetrol Model 60 Feature and Options

• Double-Acting and Spring-Return options
• 2” Air ports as standard
• Standard working temperature range: -40°F
• to +176°F
• Angle of travel adjustable 80 to 100 degrees
• Displaced volume: 6284 in³
• Weight (less coupling): 998.7 pounds
• Coupling weight: 48.5 pounds
• VLS / ULS / XLS Limit Switch Box options
• AP Positioner options
• ATEX Category 2 approved

Kinetrol Model 60 Materials of Construction

• Casing: Sand cast aluminum alloy
• Vane & Output shaft: SG Iron, zinc plated
• Shaft bushes: PTFE coated bronze
• Seals: Molded polyurethane
• Seal expenders: Stainless spring steel
• Coupling: Weldable mild steel, zinc plated

For more information, contact Kinetrol USA by calling 972-447-9443 or visit their web site at https://kinetrolusa.com.

Kinetrol USA Celebrates Our Veterans

Veterans Day is a day of observance and celebration for those who have served.  It is not just another holiday. It honors those Americans who fought for our freedom. By celebrating our Veterans, we continue to tell the story of how this country became the most powerful on Earth - through bravery, honor, truth, and determination.

Our Veterans are our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. They took an oath to defend the United States and our Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We must never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice.

Kinetrol USA thanks our Veterans, past and present, for serving our country and protecting our freedom.

Kinetrol Actator and Damper Drive Markets

Electropneumatic Valve Positioner Offering Precise Control, Smooth Operation, and Fast Response

Features of the Kinetrol EL positioner (click on image for larger view).

The Kinetrol EL is one of the valve automation industries best performing electro-pneumatic positioners available. It combines the precision and adaptability of a digital electronic control circuit with the smoothness and efficiency of Kinetrol's proven proportional servo valve, to give the best available 4-20mA positioning performance from rotary pneumatic actuators.

To compliment this unbeatable performance, the EL combines the easiest available setup procedure, easiest access to all functions and options, easy connectivity, and a compact all-metal housing, unique easy-set isolated angle retransmit, and limit switch options inside the same enclosure.

The EL positioner is designed to smoothly and precisely drive a rotary or linear actuator to a position set by the 4-20 mA input signal, and then accurately hold it there until the signal changes.

Inside the EL, a microprocessor in the loop powered 4-20 mA positioner circuit reads signal via one channel of a 12-bit A-D convertor, reads the position voltage from tie pot via the second channel of the A-D convertor, and compares the two. If an error between desired position and actual position exists, the EL changes it's output to the servo valve in order to drive the actuator in the direction required to eliminate the error.

In sync with the movement of the actuator, the feedback pot voltage changes, and the microprocessor continually calculates how to adjust the servo valve in order to guide the actuator accurately into position. Because the servo valve is a fully proportional device, it can be adjusted precisely and smoothly to slow the actuator to a stop exactly at the required position.  Programmed in the microprocessor is an advanced algorithm that allows this critical dynamic valve adjustment to be made correctly, giving optimal results with any actuator/load combination. Slow or fast responding, high friction or low friction, high inertia or low inertia, all can be optimized by PGAIN and DAMP parameters via the positioner circuit pushbuttons. The 12-bit A-D conversion gives the amazing resolution of approximately 1/40 of a degree angular.

For more information, contact Kinetrol USA by calling 972-447-9443 or visit their web site at https://kinetrolusa.com.

Oil Refinery Chooses Kinetrol for Fast Closing 6" Ball Valve

6" ball valve with failing actuator.

A Midwestern oil refinery was using a 6" ball valve with a cylinder actuator in a fast closing application. The ball valve was required to close in under 1 second with a duty cycle of 8 operations per day. Unfortunately, the cylinder actuator response became increasingly sluggish over time due to internal component wear. The customer tried replacing the cylinder actuator with the same model, but it too developed the problem in under a year.

The specified Kinetrol actuator and
high Cv solenoid valve.

The local Kinetrol Distributor Sales Representative and Kinetrol Regional Sales Manager worked together to engineer a better solution. They knew the Kinetrol rotary spring unit would provide enough torque to close the valve quickly, but the concern was with the actuator exhaust venting.

After calculating the air flow characteristics of the actuator and  the response time of the spring, they knew the critical element was finding a high flow capacity solenoid valve. It needed to be capable of dumping the actuator air quickly enough to close the actuator in under 1 second.

The result was a recommendation to use a Kinetrol model 147-120-4900L spring return actuator with a third party, high Cv (9.7), solenoid valve.

Once installed the 6" ball valve and Kinetrol assembly worked perfectly and, at the time of this writing, has been in service for 3.5 years, operating with no downtime and maintaining the under 1 second closing requirement.

For more information, contact Kinetrol USA. Call 972-447-9443 or visit https://kinetrolusa.com.