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When most people think of valves, they likely picture a device that either allows flow or blocks it. However, there are a large number of applications where flow must be more controlled and metered than simply turning it on and off. For these applications, specialized fluid control valves are used. These valves allow for fluid control tasks such as blocking flow in one direction, regulating the amount of flow that is let through, and maintaining consistent flow in spite of inconsistent fluid pressures. Outlined below are a few of the valves used in liquid fluid control and the importance of having the right ball when designing one of these specialized valves.
Solenoid Valves
A solenoid valve is a valve that can be controlled using an electric current. When an electric current is applied to the solenoid in the valve, a magnetic force is created, pushing back a spring loaded plunger. Since a stronger current will push the plunger back further, the current can be adjusted to regulate the amount of flow that is allowed through the valve. In solenoid ball valves, a specific type of solenoid valves, a precision-made ball is used to regulate the flow.
In hydraulic applications, being able to precisely control the amount of hydraulic fluid that is let through is crucial since small differences in flow volume can make a noticeable difference in how the hydraulic device functions. One common valve for hydraulic applications is the hydraulic ball valve, which must be outfitted with a ball that is made within exact tolerances in order to avoid leaking under high pressures.
As the name suggests, miniature valves are micro sized valves used to regulate flow when only a small amount of liquid is needed to pass through. Applications of miniature fluid control valves include clinical diagnostic devices, devices used in analytical chemistry, and any other application where only a small stream of fluid is desired. For these valves, tiny balls must be used, and these balls must be made exactly to specification in order for the valve to work properly.
Check valves are designed to allow free flow in one direction but completely stop it in the other direction. One of the most common types of check valves are ball check valves which use a ball that is fixed to a spring to close off the valve. Fluid flow from one direction will push back the ball and allow the fluid to pass through. When flow ceases, though, the spring pushes the ball back into place, sealing off the valve and preventing the fluid from flowing back the other direction.
Flow regulator valves are pressure-compensated valves that are designed to deliver a consistent volume of flow in spite of varying pressures. These valves may be made to produce a fixed flow or they can be designed to allow the operator to regulate the amount of flow that is allowed through. Either way, they are built to not increase or decrease the amount of flow that is allowed through based on the pressure of the fluid.
When building a liquid fluid control ball valve like those discussed above, it's crucial to use precision made balls that are always manufactured to your exact specifications. Using balls that are not made within exact tolerances will cause leaking and limit the degree to which you are able to control the fluid.
At Hartford Technologies, we take pride in producing balls that are made within the tightest tolerances you will find. If you would like to learn more about equipping your fluid control valves with precision-made balls from Hartford Technologies, feel free to contact us today.
