Opening and Closing Gate Valves

Opening and closing handwheel valves are common tasks across several industries . Some of the different industries that use handwheels or valves include power generation, water supply, oil refining, railways, chemical industry, and waste industry, etc.

To help and protect operators and equipment , modec manufactures powerful and robust portable valve actuators . As our priority is operator safety, all our actuators are equipped with torque management systems that prevent injuries.

A simple but effective torque recovery system is supplied with all our actuators

Our torque recovery arms , always included with our actuators, properly manage the torque so that the operator does not need to manage the torque by himself.

To understand what happens when you operate a valve and the valve is completely closed or open, you have to imagine what happens when you drill a hole with a drill and the drill jams. All the power of the machine will go through the machine, and you will have to support the force applied to the drill, in order to prevent the machine from rotating.?

Now let's transpose the same problem with a valve actuator, know that the torque of the drill is 80 Nm and that an actuator can reach up to 1000 Nm (that is 12.5 times more!). If you do not use a proper torque management system, the machine will hurt you.

A range of torque management systems to best suit your application

We have thought and designed solutions for every different environment: whatever your application, you can find among our range the torque management system most suitable for your application.

Torque management systems are not just about injury prevention. They are also designed to be user-friendly, comfortable and ergonomic. The main idea is that we want to provide a comfortable working position so as not to damage the wrist, elbow or back during handling.

Through our years of experience in different industries, we have found that most valves are installed in awkward positions. This is because fluid lines are designed and built for fluid line performance and not for operator comfort. This is why we have designed valve actuation solutions with a wide range of torque recovery systems to help the operator stay upright and protect the integrity of his body during operation.

Our torque management systems can hold the actuator in the correct position so the operator has nothing to wear. Simply pull the trigger and you will open or close your valve effortlessly and in the ideal position to protect your body and equipment.

Download the Portable Rotary Actuators catalog

Operate underground valves with our articulated arm on foot

Here is an example to illustrate a tricky setup you may face, we can take a look at the image below:

During the operation of an underground valve and thanks to our torque management system, the operator stands straight at ground level and can operate the underground valves in a healthy position.

Operate a hand wheel safely at ground level with our extension?

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In this example you can see that with our extension (EB404) you can operate a steering wheel at ground level while standing on your feet. There is no need to work in an uncomfortable position that will most certainly create occupational diseases (MSDs).?

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We have also designed a torque management system (BR002) which is a dual reaction arm . Once it is properly installed, you can safely operate the valve in either direction. The torque recovery arm will prevent dangerous movement of the actuator when you stop handling.

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Other accessories and options to ensure operator safety during valve operation

Our torque management systems are compatible with our entire range of options and accessories

Angle drive

Our torque recovery systems are compatible with the different options in our range. If you need to use an angle drive to operate horizontally, you can connect the torque recovery arm to it, in fact, it is the same connection. Everything has been designed to operate in a comfortable and safe position. In this photo you can see a robust actuator with the angle drive designed to reach high torques.

To support the high speed and high number of rotations, the overall solution is heavy. However, you can assemble the accessories one after the other so as not to force when assembling the solution. The weight of the tool and accessories is then supported by the steering wheel. The operator only has to press the trigger to operate the valve. He stands in a comfortable and healthy position, without any force to apply during the operation.

Self-centering adapters

We have designed a range of self-centering adapters (SAXX) that prevent incorrect movements. Thanks to its patented system, these adapters are instantly fixed on the steering wheel and the actuator is automatically centered, making it easier and more efficient. These adapters prevent injuries to the operator's elbow and wrists.

Safer valve operations thanks to torque limiters

Safety being our priority, we also manufacture torque limiters (they are supplied as standard on our electric actuators or as an option on others). With the torque limiter, you can set the torque you need to operate your valve. When you have reached the requested torque, the clutch disconnects the motor and stops the rotation. This is a very safe solution to protect the operator but also to avoid damaging the equipment. Each torque limiter we offer can reach a wide range of torque. With this option, you can use the same actuator on different sizes of valves or handwheels, without any danger.?

We manufacture actuators in different sizes, from the simplest to the most robust. This allows us to offer the lightest possible solution. If you need to use a low torque range (up to 70 Nm), you can use a light tool. You do not need to buy a heavy tool if it is not necessary.?

This is originally published in Modec's main site. Elite Industrial Tools provides sales, service, and support for MODEC Portable Valve Actuators and a wide range of industrial bolting accessories. EIT is the sole distributor for MODEC Portable Valve Actuators for the state of Texas and the only service center in the United States. Contact us today for a free demonstration.