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Multi-Purpose Actuator Enables Ball Valve to Open and Close Automatically

02.05.2024
A major southern grow operation needed a valve to open and close automatically on a series of remote fertigation pipelines. The lines were in a location where compressed air and electricity were both unavailable and impractical. It was essential to have the valve close whenever the water supply dropped below operational pressure, to prevent the percentage of nutrients from exceeding safe levels and harming the crop.
Multi-Purpose Actuator Enables Ball Valve to Open and Close Automatically

Series ABVS. In this image the air or line pressure to open side is at right, while the fail-safe spring return is at left. The actuator may also be configured and installed to close under pressure/fail-safe to open. (Image source: Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc.)

Using a Series ABVS Air x Spring Actuated Ball Valve and a series of common tubing lines, the grower was able to substitute water pressure for compressed air directly to the "air to open" side of the actuator. When water flow is diverted to the remote piping from the grower's central control system, the 40 PSI line pressure automatically opens the valve, allowing nutrients to flow to the eductors.

When water is diverted elsewhere or the pump is turned off, the line pressure holding the valve open drops below 40 PSI. The absence of pressure enables an isolated spring on the "spring to close" side of the actuator to automatically move the valve to a fully closed position, protecting the plants.

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