What are Electronic Control Valves
An electric control valves control system generally consists of control valves, actuators, controllers, and sensors. These terms are generic and the actual function of the part determines its characteristics. Each is designed to give maximum control to the operator so that the system functions efficiently. As technology has changed manufacturing, so the definition of these parts has fluctuated and sometimes overlapped.
Electric Control Valves are electronically powered devices that regulate the flow of liquid, semi-liquid, or gas by closing, partially closing, or opening the passageway. A process plant might consist of many control loops networked together, all regulating an important process variable. Pressure, level, temperature, flow, etc. all must be maintained within parameters that ensure the end product is an acceptable quality. Valves are the physical regulators creating variables in response to current conditions for the specific purpose of maintaining a predetermined set point. The electric control valve is used in many industries, appliances, and applications.
The term ?control valve? can refer to the entire control valve assembly or the valve itself. It is an essential part of the control loop, as all links of a chain are essential to its strength. Electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are used with positioners, and sensors that control the mechanism regulating the flow through the system.
The most common control valves are sliding-stem globe and angle valves. These are suitable for many process applications. Other general valve types are ball, fixed cone, butterfly, gate, check, needle, plug, and spherical in design. Each is designed for a particular application and rarely interchangeable. Within each general type are customized assemblies for particular use. For instance, Electric Control Valves control valves may be used to control the rotation degree of rotary actuators by releasing pressurized gas or liquid to specific places on the shaft.
Electric Control Valves can help you determine the best valves for your facility. The size, style, and construction include cage-style valve bodies, diskstack style valve bodies, angle seat piston valves, single-port valve bodies, balanced-plug cage-style valve bodies, high capacity, cage-guided valve bodies, port-guided single-port valve bodies, double-ported valve bodies, three-way valve bodies, diaphragm valves, rotary valves with butterfly valve bodies, v-notch ball control valve bodies, eccentric-disk control valve bodies, eccentric-plug control valve bodies, sliding cylinder valves with directional control, spool, and piston valves and air operated valves, relay valves, or pinch valves.
The regulation of flow is inherently dependent upon the size and design of the control valves chosen for the system in place. The installed flow characteristic must be maintained at a sufficiently linear pace to stay within the specified parameters of the operating range of the system. Electric Control Valves control valves are the point of contact regulating the control loop and determining profitability by their performance. Specifications must address real dynamic characteristics for true process optimization and include dead time, response time, dead band, etc. Improperly selected valves will prove to be detrimental to the performance of the control loop and safety of the system.
