Why Kinetrol Pneumatic Vane Actuators Are Superior in Design - in 20 Sec...

It's a bold statement, but it's backed up with decades of proven performance, millions of actuators in the field, and many happy customers.

• Single moving part - Simplest and most reliable mechanism for quarter-turn rotary actuation.
• Close couple control modules - Fail-safe spring returns, limit switches, positioners and solenoid valves all close couple to the actuators.
• No cranks or gearing - No power loss or backlash - allows accurate positioning.
• Durable corrosion resistant finish
• Long maintenance-free life - Up to 4 million operations guaranteed.
• Compact - space saving - efficient - Best torque/size package available, fast operating speeds, best air consumption, proven design.
• Millions of units in trouble free service all over the world
• Choice of male or female output drive square - easy to interface to application
• Unique serial number for identification and traceability

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

Work with a Valve Automation Professional on Your Next Project for Improved Outcome and Efficiency

The valve automation
sales professional
will help with your next project.

Projects requiring engineered valve systems are best completed and accomplished through the proper selection and application of the valves, actuators, positioners, limit switches and other associated components. A great resource exists, ready to provide a high level of technical knowledge and assistance, that can be easily tapped to help you with your project - the valve automation sales professional.

Local distributors and representatives who sell industrial valves, actuators and controls also provide services and equipment that will save you time, money, and help you achieve a better outcome for the entire project.

Consider a few elements the valve automation professional brings to your project:

Product Knowledge: Valve automation professionals are current on product offerings, proper application technique, and product capabilities. They also posses  information on future product obsolescence and upcoming new designs. This type of information is not generally accessible to the public via the Internet.

Experience: As a project engineer, you may be treading on new ground regarding some aspects of your current valve system design assignment. There can be real benefit in connecting to an experienced and highly knowledgable source, with past exposure to your current challenges.

Access: Through a valve automation professional, you may be able to establish a connection to “behind the scenes” manufacturer contacts with essential information not publicly available. The rep knows people at the factories, a well as at other valve related companies, who can provide quick and accurate answers to your valve automation related questions.

Article courtesy of Kinetrol USA

Of course, any valve actuation or automation solution proposed are likely to be based upon the products sold by the representative. That is where considering and evaluating the benefits of any solution becomes part of achieving the best project outcome.

Develop a professional, mutually beneficial relationship with a local valve automation professional to make your design job go after, more efficiently, and more cost effective. Their success is tied to your success, and they are eager to help you.

Use Vane Actuators on the Toughest Applications

Use vane actuators on
tough applications.

The "vane type" pneumatic valve actuator is well regarded for its simplicity in design and extremely long life, even in the toughest valve actuation applications.

The heart of this simple design, and the primary reason for such long life, is the "single moving part" - a one-piece shaft and vane that moves in response to the air pressure differential on either side of the vane. A rotary vane actuator has no gears or yokes which will wear and cause problems over time. Wear, movement slop, and internal corrosion are the most typical modes of failure for rack and pinion and scotch yoke actuators.

The video below illustrate the elegance and simplicity of the rotary vane actuator and its "single moving part".

Louver and Damper Control with Vane Actuators

Besides pneumatic valve actuation, Kinetrol vane actuators are used widely on controlling industrial and commercial louvers and dampers.

The video below gives you a short visual demo of a louver being opened, closed and positioned with a Kinetrol vane actuator and electro-pneumatic positioner.

Louvers and dampers are used to stop or regulate the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, air handler, or other air handling equipment.

Some varieties of dampers are:

• Louvered Inlet Box Dampers
• Radial Inlet Dampers
• Variable Inlet Vane (VIV) Dampers
• Vortex Dampers
• Discharge Dampers

Industries that use dampers include:

• Petrochemical
• Oil & gas
• Power generation
• Construction industries

Pneumatic Actuators in Marine Environment (Offshore Rigs)

High density, cramped spots are ideal
for Kinetrol actuators and accessories.

Offshore oil rigs present some special challenges to pneumatic actuator manufacturers. First, the corrosive marine environment takes a harsh toll on the internal and external parts of a typical actuator. Rack and pinion actuators are particularly susceptible.

Because rotary vane actuators, (such as Kinetrol) or their spring units, don't "breathe" ambient air, they have great immunity to internal corrosion. Also, a very durable, epoxy enamel finish and stainless steel hardware provide maximum external protection.

Ideal for corrosive, marine installation.

Another challenge for offshore use is the very limited space available. Facilitation of large scotch yoke actuators, is quite difficult. Actuators such as Kinetrol's compact vane design with integral direct-mount limit switch make it a perfect choice in applications where space is at a premium. In these cramped and below grating installations you want the long maintenance-free life that you can install with confidence for years of service.

Click on images for larger view.

Low maintenance is important
in hard to get to places

Long life where access is a problem.

Kinetrol Pneumatic Rotary Vane Actuator Product Selection

Here is an easy-access, online vane actuator catalog from Kinetrol that includes pneumatic actuators, spring return units, positioners, indicators, limit switches, solenoid valves, and other valve actuation equipment.

Kinetrol Rotary Vane Actuator Catalog from Kinetrol USA

Elegantly Engineered Pneumatic Valve Actuators. A Simple, Single Moving Part

One moving part. Simple. Elegant.

According to Wikipedia, elegance is "a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity." In engineering terms, "a solution may be considered elegant if it uses a non-obvious method to produce a solution which is highly effective and simple. "

When you compare the mechanics of various other pneumatic valve actuators, such as rack and pinion or scotch yoke with their internal gears, bushings and bearings, you immediately understand that simplicity is sacrificed and the design is certainly not elegant.

Actuators with gears wear.

When gears mesh, there is friction. Friction causes heat and wear, which effects the mechanical life of the actuator. Friction converts kinetic energy into thermal energy and can have dramatic consequences if left unchecked. Another important consequence of friction is wear, which may lead to performance degradation and/or damage to the internal components of a rack and pinion or scotch yoke actuator.

"Fretting wear" is caused by the repeated cyclical rubbing between two surfaces (gears in the case of scotch yoke or rack and pinion actuators) and over a period of time, will remove material from one or both surfaces.

Backlash happens when gears change direction. It is caused by the gap between the trailing face of the driving tooth and the leading face of the tooth behind it. The gap must be closed before force can be transferred in the new direction, hence the phenomena of backlash. This is also sometimes referred to as "slop".

A well designed vane actuator uses a single piece of machined steel for both the vane body and drive shafts. With this design, the shaft and vane are not affected by backlash, friction or wear.

For more information, contact:

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