Any kind of control valve actuator is a device that uses energy to drive the valve. The device may be a manually operated gear set that can be used to switch valves or an intelligent electronic component with sophisticated controls and measuring devices that allow for continuous valve adjustment. With the development of micro-electronic technology, the implementing agencies become more complicated. Early actuators were simply motor gear drives with position sensing switches. Today's implementing agencies already have more advanced features that not only open or close the valve but also detect the working state of the valve and actuator to provide a variety of data for predictive maintenance. What is the implementing agency? The most widely defined definition of an actuator is: A drive that provides linear or rotational motion that uses some kind of drive energy and operates under some sort of control signal. Actuators use liquid, gas, electricity or other energy sources and convert them into drive action through motors, cylinders or other devices. The basic actuator is used to drive the valve to the fully open or fully closed position. Actuating and control valve actuators enable precise positioning of the valve to any position. Although most actuators are used for on-off valves, today's actuators are designed to go beyond the simple switching functions of position sensing, torque sensing, electrode protection, logic control, digital communication modules And PID control module, etc., and these devices are all installed in a compact housing. Because more and more factories use automatic control, manual operation is replaced by mechanical or automation equipment, the executive body is required to act as an interface between the control system and the valve mechanical movement, and the implementing agency is required to enhance the work safety performance and Environmental protection performance. In some hazardous situations, automated actuator installations reduce personnel injuries. Some special valves require emergency opening or closing under special circumstances, and valve actuators can prevent the danger from further spreading while minimizing plant damage. For some high-pressure large-diameter valves, the required actuator output torque is very large, then the need for implementing agencies must improve the mechanical efficiency and the use of high-output motor, so smooth operation of large-diameter valve. Valves and Automation To successfully automate the process, it is of utmost importance to ensure that the valve itself meets the specific requirements of the process and the medium in the pipe. Usually the production process and process medium can determine the type of valve, the type of spool, and the structure and material of the trim and valve. After the valve is selected, the automation needs to be considered next, namely the choice of actuator. Actuators can be easily considered in two basic types of valve operation. 1. Rotary valve (single rotary valve) Such valves include: plug valves, ball valves, butterfly valves and damper or baffle. This type of valve requires an actuator that has the required torque for a 90 degree rotation. 2. Multi-turn valves These valves can be non-rotating lift stems or rotating non-lift stems, or they require multiple turn operations to actuate the valve Open or closed position. Such valves include: straight-through valve (stop valve), gate valve, knife valve and so on. As an alternative, a linear output pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or diaphragm actuator also drives the valve. There are currently four types of actuators, which can use different drive sources and can operate various types of valves. 1. Electric multi-turn actuator Electric drive multi-turn actuator is one of the most commonly used and most reliable type of actuator. Use single-phase or three-phase motors to drive the gear or worm gear to finally drive the stem nut. The stem nut causes the stem to move to open or close the valve. Multi-turn electric actuators can quickly drive large-size valves. In order to protect the valve from damage, the limit switch installed at the end of the valve stroke will cut off the power supply of the motor. At the same time, when the safety torque is exceeded, the torque sensing device will cut off the power of the motor. The position switch indicates the valve switch status, The handwheel mechanism with the clutches is installed to operate the valve manually in the event of a power failure. The main advantage of this type of actuator is that all the components are housed in a single housing that integrates all the basic and advanced features in this water, dust and explosion proof enclosure. The main disadvantage is that in the event of a power failure, the valve can only be held in place and the valve can only be in a fail-safe position (fault open or fail-safe) using a backup power supply system. 2. Electric single-rotary actuator This actuator is similar to Electric multi-turn actuators, the main difference is that the final output of the actuator is 1/4 turn 90 degrees of movement. The new generation of electric single-rotary actuators combines the complex functions of most multi-turn actuators, such as: parameter setting and diagnostics using a non-invasive, user-friendly operator interface. Compact rotary actuators can be fitted to small-size valves, usually with output torques up to 800 kg and small power requirements. They can be fitted with batteries for fail-safe operation. 3. FLUID-DRIVEN MULTI-SWITCH OR LINE OUTPUT ACTUATOR This type of actuator is often used to operate both direct-flow valves (shut-off valves) and gate valves using either pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. Simple structure, reliable, easy to implement fail-safe operation mode. Normally people use electric multi-turn actuators to drive gate and stop valves. Hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are only considered when there is no power supply. 4. Fluid driven single rotary actuator Pneumatic, hydraulic single rotary actuators are very versatile, they do not need power and simple structure, reliable performance. They are used in a wide range of areas. Usually output from a few kilograms of rice to tens of thousands of kilograms of rice. They use the cylinder and gear to convert linear motion into right angle output, the transmission usually have: fork, rack and pinion, lever. The rack and pinion outputs the same torque over the full range of travel. They are ideal for small-sized valves, with high efficiency for the shift fork, and high torque output at the start of the stroke. Ideal for large diameter valves. Pneumatic actuators are generally installed solenoid valve, positioner or position switch and other accessories to achieve the valve control and monitoring. This type of actuator is easy to implement Safe Operating Modes Actuator Selection Factors The following elements must be considered when selecting a suitable valve actuator type and size: 1. Drive Energy The most common drive energy source is a power or fluid source, Power for driving energy, large-size valves generally use three-phase power supply, for small-size valves can use single-phase power supply. General electric actuator can have a variety of power types to choose from. Sometimes optional DC power supply, this time by installing the battery power failure safe operation. There are many types of fluid sources. First of all, they can be different media such as compressed air, nitrogen, natural gas, hydraulic fluid, etc. Secondly, they can have various pressures, and the third actuator has various sizes to provide output torque. 2. Valve Type When choosing the valve actuator, you must know the type of valve, so as to select the correct type of actuator. Some valves require multi-turn drives, some require single-turn drives and some require reciprocating drives, which affect the choice of actuator type. The multi-turn pneumatic actuator is more expensive than the electric multi-turn actuator, but the reciprocating linear stroke pneumatic actuator output is cheaper than the electric multi-turn actuator. 3. Torque size For 90 degree rotation of the valve, such as: ball valve, butterfly valve, plug valve, the best through the valve manufacturer to obtain the appropriate valve torque, most of the valve manufacturers by testing the valve at rated pressure valve required torque, They provide this moment to their customers. In the case of multi-turn valves, these valves can be divided into: Reciprocating (Lifting) Movement - Stem Does Not Rotate, Reciprocation - Stem Rotation, Non-Reciprocating - Stem Rotation, Valve Stem Must Be Measured Diameter, stem thread size has been determined to implement agency specifications. 4.Acting agencies a selection of implementing agencies and the type of valve required to determine the driving torque, you can use the implementing agencies to provide data sheets or selection software selection. Sometimes consider the speed and frequency of valve operation. Fluid-driven actuators can adjust the travel speed, but the three-phase power of the electric actuator has only a fixed travel time. Some small specifications of the DC electric single-rotary actuator can adjust the travel speed. The biggest advantage of a switch-controlled automatic control valve is the ability to operate the valve remotely, which means that operators can sit in the control room to control the production process without having to manually switch the valve on and off. People only need to lay some pipelines to connect the control room and the implementing agency, and the driving energy directly energizes the electric or pneumatic actuators through the pipeline, and usually uses the 4-20mA signal to feedback the position of the valve. Continuous Control If the actuator is required to control parameters such as level, flow or pressure in the process system, this is a job requiring frequent actuator action and a 4-20 mA signal can be used as the control signal, however, this signal may be the same as the process Frequent changes. If you need a very high-frequency action actuator, only to select a special start and stop frequently adjustable actuator. When multiple actuators are required in a single process, the individual actuators can be connected by using a digital communications system, which greatly reduces installation costs. Digital communication loops deliver instructions and gather information quickly and efficiently. Currently there are a variety of communication methods such as: FOUNDATION FIELDBUS, PROFIBUS, DEVICENET, HART and PAKSCAN designed for valve actuators. Not only do digital communications systems reduce capital costs, they also collect a wealth of valve information that is valuable for predictive maintenance of the valve. Predictive Maintenance The operator can use the built-in data memory to record the data measured by the torque-sensing device during each actuation of the valve, which can be used to monitor the valve operating condition, to indicate whether the valve needs servicing or to use this data Diagnosis valve. For the valve can diagnose the following data: 1. Valve seal or packing friction 2. Valve stem, valve bearing friction torque 3. Seat friction 4. Valve operating friction 5. Valve spool subjected to dynamic force 6 Stem Thread Friction 7. Stem Position Most of the data above exists for all types of valves, but with a different emphasis, for example: For butterfly valves, the frictional forces during valve operation are negligible, but for plug valves this force value It is great. Different valves have different torque operating curves, for example: for wedge brake rice, the opening and closing torques are very large, the other trip only filler friction and thread friction, closed, the hydrostatic pressure on the gate increase The valve seat friction, the final wedge effect so that the torque rapidly increased until closed in place. Therefore, the change of torque curve can predict the fault that will occur and provide valuable information for predictive maintenance.
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