What is a pneumatic valve and how does it work?

A pneumatic valve is an equipment used in industrial automation, as it is a reliable and very safe element.

These are part of the mechanical circuits and maintain specific characteristics within the industrial process, which is why their acquisition is so important.

As it is a fundamental instrument in the industrialized sector, it is necessary to know what is a pneumatic control valve and how a pneumatic valve works, which will be explained throughout this article.

What is a pneumatic valve?

The industrial pneumatic valve is a part that serves both to open and to close a duct or a substance.

To better understand what is a pneumatic valve we can say that they are also used as pneumatic control valves or safety valves that cut off the air supply in dangerous situations.

What is another name for pneumatic valve?

Pneumatic valves, also known as directional control valves or pneumatic pilot valves, are classified using several different approaches including: number of inlet and outlet ports.

How a pneumatic valve works?

Understanding how do pneumatic control valves work helps ensure that you get the most out of your system and prevent any accidents.

 The electro pneumatic valve is operated by means of pneumatic valves that are easy to control.

The main elements that make up the pneumatic system are the lubricant, the air tank, the flow regulator and the pump.

The valve is responsible for converting the compressed air and takes complete care of the energy, where the hot air that is collected is contained inside the pressure tank.

It can be approached in various forms of pneumatic valves, but the operation of each type of valve varies according to its nature.

What are the types of pneumatic valve?

There are several types of pneumatic valves to be aware of. These are:

Pneumatic ball valve

It is a ball valve that is equipped with a mechanical actuator and has the fastest operating speed of 0.05 seconds.

They are usually called quick plug pneumatic ball valves and come equipped with various accessories, such as solenoid valves, control boxes, limit switches, etc.

These are used in the gasoline, metallurgical, natural gas, chemical, electrical, paper manufacturing, water and air treatment sectors, among others.

Pneumatic ball valve Metso

Pneumatic butterfly valve

Useful for controlling highly flammable liquids such as oil, gas and petrochemicals. As it is pneumatically operated, it allows a safe and fast operation against fires and electrical short circuits.

It is a valve that operates with electricity efficiency at the lowest price in the market.

Pneumatic butterfly valve metso

Pneumatic pinch valve

Also called sleeve valve, it is an industrial device used to control the fluid and gases of various applications.

It has a special rubber sleeve that is inflated with air or other gases to be able to open or close it.

Pneumatic pinch valve Metso

Pneumatic gate valve

Instead of a handwheel, it uses a pneumatic actuator. Using compressed air, the actuator rotates the stem to lower or raise the damper.

This allows it to be operated remotely without a user on site, but it does require a pneumatic system.

Pneumatic gate valve Metso

Pneumatic actuated ball valve

Pneumatic actuated ball valves are typically 2-way and are a simple solution for a variety of basic on/off applications.

These rotate 90° from fully open to fully closed. While they operate faster than valves that have an electric actuator.

The pneumatically actuated ball valves operate with air and pressure while being used as a power source for pneumatic valve actuators.

The advantage of this pneumatic actuator valve is that it has a reliable sealing stem and good performance.

Pneumatic dump valve

Also known as balanced low pressure control valves, they are available in two main models: piston balanced or diaphragm balanced throttling.

They are often used to discharge liquids from separation vessels, free water eliminators and free water treaters.

Pneumatic pressure relief valve

This is a safety component used in hydraulic or pneumatic systems. These valves are designed to regulate the pressure level within a system, preventing a predefined amount from increasing.

How to adjust pneumatic flow control valve?

To find out how to adjust pneumatic flow control valve just follow these steps:

  1. Check the air line pressure to verify that it is at the correct level for pneumatic cylinder operation.
  2. Locate the plastic pneumatic flow control valves inside the air cylinder. One gate valve will be at the end of the cylinder and one at the top. Both valves are connected to the air supply line.
  3. Remove the access cover to the adjusting screw on the flow control, which is located at the base of the cylinder. You must turn the cap counterclockwise.
  4. The adjusting screw must be turned counterclockwise to increase the air flow to the cylinder. This will increase the extension speed of the actuator arm.
  5. Turn the screw clockwise to reduce the air flow, resulting in a decrease in the extension rate of the actuating arm.
  6. Check the arm speed index with each adjustment until it is satisfactory.
  7. Replace the access cover on the flow control screw.

How to check pneumatic solenoid valve?

Learning how to check pneumatic solenoid valves is essential to ensure their safety and efficiency. The steps to do so are:

  1. Wear protective equipment for potential electric shock hazards.
  2. Disconnect the valve from any connections.
  3. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to determine its supply voltage.
  4. Connect the pneumatic solenoid valve terminals to the required power supply.
  5. Once connected the circuit is closed and the valve should activate. A click should be heard from the valve once the current is supplied correctly. If the click is not heard it means that the coil is bad and the valve should be replaced. To check it you can use a multimeter to check its voltage and resistance.

How to clean a pneumatic solenoid valve?

Pneumatic valves should be cleaned every 6 months or when they become clogged. But, if you don’t know how to clean a pneumatic solenoid valve just follow these instructions:

  1. Disconnect the valve from the power supply.
  2. Remove the valve plug and clean the inside and outside with a wire brush or similar tool. This will remove corrosion and ensure good connection to the electrical system.
  3. Reconnect to the power supply.

However, there are times when pneumatic valves cannot be maintained and imminent replacement is necessary.

In that case, knowing excellent ASCO valves distributors is indispensable to acquire pneumatic valves of the highest quality and durability, valves that reduce maintenance costs and guarantee productivity for many years.

What is the difference between a pneumatic valve and an actuator?

Their difference is the operating driving force. Pneumatic valves require an air supply of 60 to 125 PSI, while the actuator is controlled by AC or DC voltage. When an air supply is not available, electric actuators are used.

Where to buy a pneumatic valve?

Pneumatic valves are very useful in industries, so if you need one, you can acquire it with IndusCo.

We specialize in the sale of industrial products and parts, becoming the best in the market both nationally and internationally.

This is because our products are original and of the highest quality, so they last for many years.

Contact us to know the brands we carry and the prices we offer.

Warehouse, IndusCo United States

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