Valves go ATEX: Where Hazardous Duty Meets Digital Hydraulic Control

Related Vendors

DÜPERTHAL Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG

TURCK GmbH

Donadon SDD Srl

Moog GmbH

To better understand how an ATEX Digital Valve can benefit a machine builder, we examined an application with a major energy systems company looking to improve the way its employees control a large hydraulic motor in a drilling subsystem. Although the pressure and flow rates were easily achieved at 210 bar (3,000 psi) and 190 lpm (50 gpm) respectively, the drilling environment is demanding (i.e., heavy use, constant vibration and the potential to release underground gas pockets).

Initially, the company’s request was for advanced flow control in order to dynamically control the hydraulic motor speed with minimal pressure drop and to reduce piping connections. While working with the customer’s engineers, we learned that future systems could benefit from pressure control that would allow repeatable output torque at a slow speed.

Greater Functionality Drives new Opportunities

Our solution consisted of the single stage ATEX Digital Interface Valve with a unique 4-way spool configuration and a custom manifold package, consolidated piping connections with mounting for the servo valve, a solenoid valve, backpressure valve and a drainable pressure filter.

In the ATEX valve, sensors coupled to onboard electronics provide closed-loop control for both flow and pressure, which correlate to highly accurate control of speed, torque, position and force.

In the past, only pressure or flow control was possible with explosion proof valves. With the ATEX valve, the energy company can now control both pressure and flow with a single valve, offering machine builders a way to simplify motion control and maintenance.

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