The Importance of a Soft Start for Critical Applications Requiring High Precision

When a valve is cycled, one can observe the quality of control by measuring and graphing the flow leaving the valve and the input operating the valve, such as electrical current (for coil controlled valves) or steps (for stepper motor controlled valves). This paper will discuss the characteristics of a valve’s performance curve—specifically, where flow begins and how the curve’s trend can indicate certain valve features and their consequences.

When selecting a valve, there are many parameters to look at, but when sensitive equipment is involved and precision is vital to the application, such as in fluid analyses, characteristics of the flow’s lift-off should be considered because initial flow can have a startling impact on the life and operation of the system overall. For example, if a valve allows an abrupt surge of flow, it can cause hydraulic shock (also referred to as water or fluid hammer). This can be seen in Diagram 1 where the circled area s…

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ES Series Miniature Electronic Valves

Spider technology is renowned worldwide for exceptional leak resistance and long life. Clippard developed, patented and perfected this spider technology. Ideal applications have exceeded 1,000,000,000 cycles with this technology which utilizes one moving part that travels a mere 0.007” during operation. This single moving part with a short stroke enables the ES series to operate with exceptional reliability.

The ES series features large cross sectional o-rings, minimal leak points, and proven poppet designs. All mounting hardware is outside of the flow path for the ES, and no internal parts are threaded during assembly to reduce the possibility of contamination. The ES has the best performance-to-price ratio for low leak valves.

The compact footprint coupled with the long life, and exceptional leak resistance make the ES line suited to improve reliability in a wide range of applications including biomedical, dental, test equipment, oxygen control, texti…

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Clippard releases Cordis CP1 single valve pressure sensors

Cordis CP1 single-valve pressure sensors [Image courtesy of Clippard]

Clippard (Cincinnati) recently announced the launch of its Cordis CP1 single-valve pressure sensors.

The company’s Cordis pressure controllers utilize its EVP and DVP proportional valve series. They allow for steady, accurate and repeatable downstream pressure control as demand or process changes, according to the company.

Clippard officials say the result is a very precise linear pressure control within a closed-loop system providing ultra-high resolution and repeatability.

The Cordis includes a microcontroller, an internal pressure sensor, and a Clippard proportional valve. The inlet valve connects to the moderately regulated supply pressure.

Increase a command is increased, and the proportional valve opens up to allow supply pressure to pass over the sensor element. The feature enables active feedback for the microcont…

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Clippard launches Cordis custom calibrated pressure sensors

Cordis custom calibrated pressure sensors [Image courtesy of Clippard]

Clippard (Cincinnati) recently announced that it has expanded its Cordis family with a new transducer line.

The new piezoresistive silicone pressure sensors can either be used as feedback for Clippard’s CPC Pressure Controller or as a standalone transducer. Current optional outputs are 0 to 5 VDC, 0 to 10 VDC and 0.5 to 4.5 VDC.

The new transducers are conditioned and temperature-compensated. They offer a customized calibration specific to the application requirements. According to Clippard, the features allow for a full-scale accuracy of 0.25% over the calibrated range.

Multiple mounting options allow the user to place the sensor downstream or in a remote location from the pressure controller. This creates a quicker response and helps avoid any lag in the system. The manifold mount lends itself well to analytical value-added a…

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Clippard releases newest series of ES electronic valves

ES electronic valves [Image courtesy of Clippard]

Clippard (Cincinnati) announced that it has its newest series of ES electronic valves available; the company says the valves are ideal for low-leak, long-life applications.

Potential uses in the medical device industry include ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen conservers, blood pressure cuffs, and more.

The ES valves feature Clippard’s patented spider technology that features only one moving part that travels a mere 0.007 in. during operation. The armature spring undergoes a variety of proprietary processes, including the individual calibration of each spider to its valve. Ideally, the spider valve tech can exceed 1 billion cycles.

The ES series features large cross-sectional o-rings, minimal leak points, and poppet designs. All mounting hardware is outside of the flow path for the ES, and the valve makers don’t tread any intern…

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Clippard releases new series of isolation valves

Clippard NIV Series media isolation valves [Image courtesy of Clippard]

Clippard (Cincinnati) has Its Clippard NIV Series media isolation valve — a solenoid-operated device using a flexible diaphragm to isolate the actuation mechanism from the fluid path.

Media isolation valves find everyday use in a wide variety of applications. Think uses that require precise, repeatable dispensing of media for analytical instrumentation. Clippard says media isolation valves serve a purpose in drug dispensing, laboratory equipment, analytical, chemical analysis, sampling, life science/biotech, genetic research, gas chromatography, spectrometry, DNA synthesizing, blood analyzing, printing, diagnostic equipment, fermentation, water treatment and more.

All wetted areas of the NIV Series valve are PEEK or PTFE, which Clippard says is ideal for use with corrosive media.

The NIV Series also has a one-piece valve stem …

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Electronic Valve Technology

The following is an overview of different technologies available when selecting the correct electronic valve for your application.

Spider Valve Technology Invented and patented by Clippard, this deceptively simple design features only one moving part with a mere 0.007″ of travel. The spider is an armature spring that undergoes a variety of proprietary processes, including the individual calibration of each spider to its valve. Clippard’s experience, quality, and specialized processes surrounding spider technology have led EV valves to become the industry standard for valve life, reliability, response, and extremely low leak rates.

High reliability                                       Exceptional life Extremely low leak                              High speed

Diaphragm Technology Diaphragm valves provide media isolation characteristics to handle a variety of applications where system protection and/or media compatibility are important…

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What is a proportional isolation valve?

A “proportional” isolation valve can bring the next level of control and design for engineers, especially in life science industries.

Doug Paynter, Clippard

The Eclipse proportional isolation valve [Image courtesy of Clippard]

When we talk about proportional valves, whether they are pneumatic or hydraulic, we typically refer to valves that vary their flow path when you apply an increasing or decreasing amount of power/current to the proportional valve’s coil. This input to the coil will generate an ever-increasing (or decreasing) magnetic field capable of moving the proportional valve’s internal poppet or spool-designed mechanism. For example, using a low wattage pneumatic proportional valve, 0-185 mA (nominal 0-10 VDC) can be used to generate 0-65 LPM @ 100 psi working pressure. Another means of proportional control would be using a stepper motor to position a needle or plate.

So, typical proport…

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Clippard touts flow controller with high resolution and repeatability in a closed-loop system

Clippard’s Cordis flow controller [Image courtesy of Clippard]

Clippard recently announced the release of its Cordis flow controller, which uses a MEMS technology sensor upstream from a proportional valve.

There’s also an option for a DR-2 regulator to provide accurate and precise pressure control in a small package.

Said Clippard: “Unlike other mass flow controllers that require a 30-minute warm-up time, large differential pressures, and limited flow ranges, the Cordis requires less than one-minute warm-up, its pressure drop is ≤14 in. H2O, and it features flow ranges as low as 0 to 30 sccm. Standard control options include 0.2 to 10 Vdc, 4.32 to 20 mA, and 3.3 Vdc serial. The Cordis flow controller is adaptable to a variety of sensors that can close the loop around flow.”

Here are more details:

50:1 turndown ratio Compact size and weight ≤14 in. H2O pressure drop <…
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The importance of a valve’s soft start for critical applications requiring high precision

When a valve is cycled, one can observe the quality of control by measuring and graphing the flow leaving the valve and the input operating the valve, such as electrical current (for coil controlled valves) or steps (for stepper motor controlled valves). This paper will discuss the characteristics of a valve’s performance curve—specifically, where flow begins and how the curve’s trend can indicate certain valve features and their consequences.

When selecting a valve, there are many parameters to look at, but when sensitive equipment is involved and precision is vital to the application, such as in fluid analyses, characteristics of the flow’s lift-off should be considered because initial flow can have a startling impact on the life and operation of the system overall. For example, if a valve allows an abrupt surge of flow, it can cause hydraulic shock (also referred to as water or fluid hammer). This can be seen in Diagram 1 where the circled…

Read more
  • 0