Ball valve actuators are mechanical devices used to remotely or automatically open and close ball valves. They are part of a family of quarter-turn actuators and are powered by electric motors, compressed air, or oil. Ball valves are commonly used in various industries and require only a 45-degree turn to open or close. Ball valve actuators are suitable for short stroke applications and come in various sizes for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
A ball valve actuator is a mechanical device used to remotely or automatically open and close ball valves. These actuators are part of a family of valve actuators known as quarter-turn actuators. They are used specifically to open ball valves which only require a full quarter turn to open. Power sources for ball valve actuators include electric motors and compressed air or oil. Electric actuators are generally used on smaller valves such as those used on irrigation lines and the more powerful pneumatic and hydraulic types are used for larger industrial valves.
Ball valves, along with other quarter-turn types, such as gate and butterfly valves, are among the most common fluid flow control mechanisms used in applications ranging from home irrigation and water supply potable to large valves in heavy manufacturing, oil and gas industries. They consist of a chamber within which a tight-fitting ball or flat, round plate rotates. In the case of a ball valve, the ball is hollow, which allows fluid to pass when it is oriented with the hollow section parallel to the fluid flow. When turned at right angles to the flow, the fluid cannot pass and the valve is effectively closed. A short 45-degree turn is required to achieve this action, which gives the valves their name a quarter turn.
The quarter turn identifier is also used to describe the actuator family to which the ball valve actuator belongs. These devices allow valves to be opened or closed remotely by an operator or as part of an automated system. They are specifically designed to produce only the short stroke 45 degree range of motion required to fully cycle the ball and gate valves. This limited range of motion makes the ball valve actuator particularly suitable for pneumatic and hydraulic power sources, which are more suited to short stroke applications. However, electric actuators are also used, particularly on smaller valves that require less torque to open and close.
A wide range of ball valve actuator sizes are used in domestic, agricultural and industrial applications. The smaller types used in home irrigation and potable water supplies or agricultural irrigation have valves ranging from about 0.5-2.0 inches (1.27-5.08 cm) in diameter. Those used in heavy manufacturing plants and the oil and gas industries can operate valves with fluid paths larger than 12 inches (more than 30.5 cm) in diameter. These examples of larger ball valve actuators are typically hydraulically operated due to the high torque capabilities that are inherent in pressurized oil systems.
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