Tech Update

Nov. 1, 2010
A look at the HVAC industry's latest supply of actuator, ball, expansion, pressure control, and other commercial and residential valves.

Commercial & Residential Valves

Danfoss
For its slimline type GBC ball valves, Danfoss guarantees that leakage will not exceed .04 oz. per year. Each valve is helium leak tested at the Danfoss factory to ensure that customers receive a valve with the least possible leak potential. The valves also offer minimum pressure drop and full bi-directional flow.

The slimline design makes a valve that is not only lighter, but also easier to install as a replacement when valves and piping are close together, sources state.

The GBC valve seat of specially formed Teflon® ensures maximum tightness in the closed position. The screw-on stem cap also has a Teflon seal. The valves have a burst-proof spindle and working pressure of 650 psig (test pressure 940 psig), making them suitable for R-410A as well as other fluorinated refrigerants.
acr.danfoss.com
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Dwyer Instruments
The W.E. Anderson Division of Dwyer Instruments, Inc. announces the release of its new series SVB stainless steel V-Ball valve.

Series SVB stainless steel V-Ball valve is available with various degrees of V angles with countless control valve options in a quarter turn valve. V-Port ball valves are economical alternatives to linear control valves. The ISO 5211 mounting pad allows direct mounting of pneumatic and electric actuators.
dwyer-inst.com
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Grundfos
Grundfos UP two-way zone valves for hydronic heating applications, incorporate a 24-VAC and a motorized actuator that is removable with the push of a built-in button for easier installation and servicing, sources say. With its compact and installer-friendly design, the in-line actuator features a high gear ratio that eliminates gear-tooth stress and water hammer and valve "bouncing."

Available with or without a sealed auxiliary end switch, the actuator has an enlarged, coil-spring gear transmission that can deliver 20 PSI of close-off force at a flow rate of 7.5 Cv flow coefficient.
grundfos.us/
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Honeywell
Honeywell has introduced new pressure-regulated flow control valves for commercial hydronic applications. The valves represent an important tool for contractors seeking to provide superior energy efficiency, comfort, and ease of use in schools, hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and other settings.

Honeywell's pressure-regulated flow control valves integrate a dynamic pressure-balancing cartridge with a control valve. The dynamic pressure-balancing cartridge ensures that the flow-through valve stays at design flow for maximum comfort and system efficiency.

Other key features include:

  • Controls flow within 5% accuracy at all load conditions, and improves control and performance to help extend actuator life.
  • Accurate flow regulation allows optimal sizing of chillers, boilers, and pumps.

beyondinnovation.honeywell.com
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Johnson Controls
The V-3000-8011 and V-3000-8003 pneumatic valve actuators by Johnson Controls, are designed to accurately position steam or water valve modulating plugs in response to a pneumatic signal from a controller. A V-9502 valve pilot positioner can be ordered separately (V-3000-8011 only) for use in applications where sequential operation is desired or additional positioning power is necessary. The actuators have a molded synthetic rubber diaphragm design. This molded diaphragm provides a constant effective area throughout the actuator stroke. All parts are protected by a sturdy die-cast aluminum housing.

Other features include:

  • universal valve mounting design is compatible for use on all Johnson Controls® valves with V-3000 mounting configurations
  • rolling diaphragm design provides constant effective diaphragm area throughout stroke for optimal force output
  • integral stroke position indicator provides visual reference to valve position.

johnsoncontrols.com
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Mueller Refrigeration
Mueller's Cyclemaster™ series of actuated ball valves feature exclusive MCM™ seal technology, which provide low leak rates, even after hundreds of thousands of cycles, sources say. Precision dual bearings and blowout-proof stems are engineered for extended life cycles that far exceed industry standards. CycleMaster™ valves feature a full-flow ball port design to match line size I.D., thereby minimizing pressure drop and increasing flow and system capacities. The gradual operating characteristics of the ball valve eliminates line hammer and system pulsations typically associated with solenoid-operated shut-off valves.

The motorized actuator provides either local or remote operation, and may be controlled by a thermostat, pressure switch, or microprocessor. Models are available in multiple voltages and with an optional fail-safe positioning feature.
muellerindustries.com
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RediControls
The RuptureSeal™ backup safety relief valve line is designed to minimize refrigerant loss to the atmosphere in the event of a burst rupture disk on low pressure centrifugal chillers. It accomplishes this by automatically closing off the vent path; thus, re-sealing the chiller once pressure returns to normal. In the event of a burst rupture disk, the RuptureSeal™ also serves as the interim primary relief.
redicontrols.com/
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Robertshaw
Model VC-210 Mini-Max control valves are built with stainless steel investment castings and are designed for the control of water, steam, gas, vacuum etc. Valves are single seated with bellows sealed to prevent stem leakage, and may be selected to have the valve action, seating materials and flow characteristics needed for most control applications.

The pneumatic actuator consists of a molded 10-sq.in. Buna-N 2-ply dacron reinforced diaphragm, enclosed in a die-cast aluminum housing and frame. The readily accessible spring adjusting nut provides easy field adjustment of the starting point within the selected spring range. Synthane gaskets located between the valve bonnet and the actuator frame reduce heat transfer to the diaphragm.
robertshawindustrial.com
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Sporlan
Parker Hannifin Corporation’s Sporlan division has announced additions to its Type-R thermostatic expansion valve product line. Originally promoted as simply the Type-R with extended copper connections, the line has recently been expanded to include three conventional body styles, the ER, SR and R, plus new fractional capacity versions.

The ER features extended copper connections with the replaceable element and an external adjustment assembly. While ideally suited for R-410A applications, this valve will also have wide appeal as a service replacement for systems with HCFC and HFC refrigerants. The balanced port design provides exceptional control in both flow directions, making the ER an excellent choice for bi-flow heat pump applications, sources say. The ER also features the 60 x 50 mesh stainless steel wire cloth inlet strainer as a standard feature; the 100 mesh inlet strainer is an optional feature available for 5/8-in. ODF, and larger fitting combinations.
parker.com
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Taco
Taco's new Zone Sentry® zone valve is now available, after two full years of field testing.

The 24V Taco Zone Sentry provides options for a wide variety of applications including closed loop HVAC systems, open loop or high oxygen content systems, and (non condensing) chilled water installations with either a normally open or normally closed actuator configuration. The Zone Sentry zone valve features include:

  • up to 12 valves on a single 40VA transformer
  • multi-function LED for quick troubleshooting.

Connections include ½-in., ¾-in. and 1-in. pipe sizes in either sweat or NPTF. The Zone Sentry actuator can be used on any version of Taco's ESP or EBV valve.
taco-hvac.com
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Victaulic
The Vic-Ball® valve is a high-pressure, standard-port ball valve with grooved ends. Its internal design has been streamlined to provide excellent flow characteristics, and comes available in ductile iron and stainless steel versions. A three-port diverter ball for redirecting flow 90 degrees left or right is available for carbon steel or stainless steel piping systems. Vic-Ball valves are sized 11/2 – 6-in. depending on body construction type. A 1/4 – 2-in. threaded brass ball valve is also available for a variety of services.
victaulic.com
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