Operation of the Kinetrol Model 20 Vane Actuator with Limit Switch

The following video demonstrates the Kinetrol Model 20, double acting, pneumatic vane actuator as it closes a large butterfly valve.

The Model 20 actuator is capable of delivering 89,000 inch pounds of torque at 80 PSI. The unit you see below is equipped with a dual coil, 4-way solenoid valve to control air flow to either side of the actuator, as well as control the opening / closing time. The actuator below also is equipped with a Kinetrol Universal Limit Switch with visual indication and internal electrical contacts.


EL Electropneumatic Positioner

The EL positioner controls airflow to an actuator and moves it to a position determined by a 4-20mA signal and using a unique low power proportional servo valve.

The microprocessor in the loop-powered 4- 20mA position circuit reads the signal via one channel of a 12-bit A-D converter, reads the position voltage from the feedback potentiometer via the second channel of the

A-D converter, and compares the two. If it detects a position which is different from that required by the signal, it changes the output to the servo valve, in order to drive the actuator in the direction required to reach the correct position. As the actuator moves, the feedback potentiometer voltage changes and the microprocessor continually calculates the adjustments required for the servo valve in order to guide the actuator accurately into position. The microprocessor is programmed with a sophisticated but compact algorithm which allows this critical dynamic valve adjustment to be made correctly. This in turn gives optimal results with any actuator/load combination - slow or fast, low or high friction, low or high inertia. All can be optimized by tuning the PGAIN and DAMP push buttons via the positioner circuit push buttons.



Actuators for Sludge Blowdown Valves in Municipal and Industrial Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

Kinetrol Valve Actuator App Note
Large, bulky and unreliable old sludge
blow-down valve actuator packages.
Sludge blowdown valves are used in water and wastewater treatment systems that separate solids prior to filtration. They are typically plug valves with double acting pneumatic actuators that operate on a controlled time frequency. The frequency depends on the amount of solids in the media and cycle times of every 20 minutes are common.

The pneumatic actuators that are supplied with the original equipment have been known, in some cases, to have a short performance life due to the cycle frequency and environment. Some end users have experienced the original actuators failing in 3 - 4 months. Customers who have upgraded to Kinetrol actuators have experienced performance lives of over 5 times this and still counting.


Kinetrol Actuator App Note
New Compact and highly reliable Kinetrol install.

Kinetrol Actuator App Note
Getting ready to remove old actuators.

Welcome to the Kinetrol USA Blog

We'll be using this site as a place to educate people about the advantages of rotary vane actuators and showcase interesting and unique applications.

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