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29 May 2014

Basic Features Of Sherwood Valves

By Nora Jennings


Valves are the gadgets that are used in regulating, directing, and controlling how fluids flow in passageways. They perform their function by completely opening, shutting, or partially obstructing channels. There are many types of valves in use today due to increased technology. Sherwood valves are one of the best flow regulating appliances currently in use because materials they are made from are of high quality. This article describes basic features and uses of most valves.

Valves can be classified into many classes depending on different criteria. One of the criteria is by the means of actuation. There are five main items classified under this group including manual, motor, solenoid, pneumatic, and hydraulic. Items in all categories have the same parts although there may be slight variations. Major parts include ports, bonnet, stem, disc, seat, handle, and packing among others.

Bodies are the second outmost parts after bonnets. Their work is to conceal all interior parts. They can be manufactured from different substances including steel, steel alloys, stainless steel, plastic, brass, cast iron, bronze, and gunmetal among many others. Materials that are able to resist corrosion from salty seawater are used to make devices used in seawater environments. Hydrogen, high pressure, acid, and high temperature environments also have particular materials used for manufacturing devices that are used in them.

The bonnet forms the outermost part of the device. It is normally screwed semi-permanently in most cases onto the body. The bonnet is used to hold all other parts that are incorporated into the body during manufacture. This part must be removed to access internal parts during maintenance. However, not all models have the bonnet. Some major examples that lack it include the ball and plug valves.

Handles are used for actuation and are externally attached onto the device. They offer a way of actuating the device externally without using the internal controls. Handles are not available in automatic valve models, but if they exist, their work is to override internal automatic controls. Fluids are allowed to pass through the device via internal passageways called ports. Ports can be as many as 20, but they are normally two in most products. Pipes and other parts get connected to the ports at one or either ends. Connections are made through welding, gluing, threading, compression fittings, or cementing.

Many industrial processes make use of valves including power generation, food manufacturing, chemical and plastic making, mining, oil processing, and sewerage and water processing. In homes, these gadgets get application in hot water systems, taps, washing machines, dish washers, lawn irrigators, and cookers. Fluid flowing through the ports may move in one or two directions.

The devices normally come with temperature and pressure capabilities labeled on them. The maximum working temperature and pressure specified by the producers must not be exceeded for the gadget to work effectively. Exceeding these specifications can cause leakage in the appliance. Leaking appliances must be replaced before the system is put to use.

Leakages may be repaired if the model of the valve is expensive. Repairing may involve replacing seats and sometimes discs. Leakage mostly results from bad seats because they are the ones responsible for keeping the seal leak-tight. Seats can be categorized as soft or hard. Hard seats mean that they are made from different materials from that of the valve.




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