All pipe
systems require valves or fittings to regulate the amount of fluids passing
through them and prevent system damages.
Fluids, like steam, water, and oil flow through pipes at different
speeds depending on the diameter of the pipe, the amount of fluid, and other
factors. If more fluids flow through the
pipeline at a given time, the pressure increases. Unfortunately, pipes can only withstand up to
a certain amount of pressure. Any pressure stronger than the limit can strain
the pipes, causing them to develop cracks, or worse, erupt violently.
To avoid such
damages, valves are used to control the flow of fluids through the pipe. You will often see valves where there are
pipeline systems. Oil and gas for everyday cooking is distributed in regulated
amounts using a series of valves. Even
power plants rely on gas to make them produce enough electricity for entire
cities.
Valves vary
based on how they work and what parts they have. A lot of valves consist of manually-operated
handles, but there are some that are operated using pedals or motors. In more sophisticated systems, the valves are
used together with automatic devices to control the valve.
The standard
valve design consists of a bonnet, a body, ports, and either a handle or an
actuator (or in some cases, both). The
valve’s body contains the trim or the internal components, although it also
refers to the entire valve. Some valves have special components not present on
other types of valves. For example, a
solenoid valve like Spence D pilot has
a solenoid that creates electromagnetic fields to control the valve.
The valve’s
bonnet serves as the housing for the body. It is often designed based on the
actual mechanism needed to control the flow of fluid. During the manufacturing process, a Spence valve’s internal components are
carefully set in place before the bonnet is bolted. The valve’s bonnet should be tough enough to
resist incredible amounts of abuse.
A valve’s
ports serve as the entry and exit points for fluids passing through the
valve. The amount of fluid passing
through the ports is controlled by the handle or actuator. Some of the most advanced Spence valves available today have done
away with the manual handle, but there are also those that feature both a
handle and an actuator.