Threadless design, formed actuator promotes high flow, efficiency
SOLON, Ohio (July 12, 2011)--Featuring a formed aluminum housing for maximized efficiency, the Swagelok® DE series springless diaphragm valve delivers improved performance in the industry-standard 1.125 in. footprint. The valve is designed for modular gas systems and is the latest in the company’s family of ultrahigh-purity springless diaphragm valves.
With the formed aluminum housing, Swagelok eliminated the threads that typically connect the actuator components and attach the actuator to the valve body. Elimination of threads permits larger diameter pistons in the same standard footprint for improved efficiency. The center cylinder of the actuator design provides an additional active piston to increase the force output of the actuator without increasing the diameter. The formed actuator also reduces the valve height.
The innovative design includes a unique, smaller body that efficiently uses 316L VIM-VAR material for reduced cost and low internal volume. And a fully-contained seat design minimizes chemical and thermal swelling. Additionally, Swagelok provides corner chamfers on the outlet side of the body. These provide visual indication of flow direction (top view) and match actuator orientation for ease of installation. This feature is used for both error-proofing the assembly, as well as an easy alignment check after installation.
Using technology that Swagelok pioneered on its CW series check valve, the DE series has a high-integrity all-welded seal to atmosphere. After undergoing SC-01 ultrahigh-purity cleaning, the diaphragm is hermetically sealed in the clean room environment. By maximizing the diaphragm area, stresses are reduced on the welded seal while permitting an increased diaphragm stroke for a high flow rate.
A patent-pending weld isolation ring then protects the weld from the cyclic actuation load of the valve, further reducing stress. The outcome is a design that enables both high flow and high cycle life in a small footprint.
“The industry-standard 1.125 in. footprint presents challenges for both installation and maintenance in a system environment,” said Al Bousetta, market manager, semiconductor. “The DE series body design and visual indicators are designed to help minimize these challenges.”
Available with pneumatic or manual actuators, the DE series can be ordered in two- or three-port configurations. The pneumatic actuator is permanently attached to the body assembly, providing maintenance-free operation. Normally closed and normally open models have a color-coded indicator button to indicate position that is visible from both the top and side. The manual actuator offers one-quarter turn window handle for quick actuation. The handle orientation to body is fixed for ease of installation.
The valve is available in both C-seal and W-seal designs. Keeping the installer in mind, Swagelok incorporated key design features to help ensure installation efficiency. The W-seal features a specially designed bolt retention ring that rolls down on the cylinder to keep bolts in place during assembly and reassembly. Both designs have corner chamfers on the outlet side of the body to provide visual indication of flow direction, and to match actuator orientation for ease of installation.
More information is available at www.swagelok.com and in the DE series catalog (MS-02-366).
Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., Swagelok Company is a major developer and provider of fluid system solutions, including products, assemblies, and services for the research, instrumentation, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power, petrochemical, alternative fuels, and semiconductor industries. Its manufacturing, research, technical support, and distribution facilities support a global network of more than 200 authorized sales and service centers in 57 countries. For more information about Swagelok, visit the company’s Web site at www.swagelok.com.