A Complete Guide to Motorized Valve: What is It?

An electrically actuated valve, often known as a motorized valve, is a kind of valve that is controlled by an electrical or electronic motor. It enables automatic or remote fluid flow control in a system or pipeline. In industrial operations, water treatment facilities, HVAC systems, and other settings where exact control over fluid flow is required, motorized valves are frequently utilized.

When the output flow has to be continually modified or precisely controlled, motorized valves—proportional valves—are employed.

What is a motorized valve used for?

A motor-operated valve's (MOV) main function is to automate fluid flow control in a variety of industrial systems and processes. An electric motor is used to open or close the mechanism of an electrically actuated valve. This kind of valve is perfect for remote fluid control applications or very big valve types, including automatic fire suppression, agricultural irrigation, and aviation deicing. 

The majority of valve types are appropriate for motorized applications; gate, ball, and butterfly valves are among the most widely used varieties. Additionally, the motorized valve works well for remote flow control applications where incremental valve action is required for system inputs. The primary distinction between motorized and manual valves is the actuation inputs; the internal fluid control mechanisms of the former are essentially the same.

Top Manufacturing Brands of Motorized Valves Include;

• Siemens

• Bürkert

• Mogas

• Kerotest

• Honeywell

• iPolymer

• Belimo

What advantages can motor-actuated valves offer?

• Accurate management

• Minimal power usage

• Ceramic rotary action plates that are resistant to wear

• Small-sized design

• Suitable for applications involving high temperatures

Where do motorized valves find use?

• Controlling the climate in commercial vehicles

• Thermal control of batteries in electric cars

• Fuel cell thermal control

• Coolant management in traditional powertrain automobiles

• Automated manufacturing machinery

Motorized valve configurations

Typical valve layouts include the following:

Two-port

Depending on whether it is activated or not, the valve's two pipe connections (ports) allow or prohibit passage between them. When the valve is operated and blocked in its resting position, flow is allowed.

A synchronous motor moves the valve to the open position when it is energized, and it remains there until the motor stalls. Power is cut off when the valve needs to shut, and a spring pulls the mechanism—as well as the motor—back to its initial closed position.

Three-port

The motorized valve features three T-shaped pipe connections. The two short arms of the T, often known as ports A and B, are the outputs, while the center leg is the intake. Whether the flow from the intake goes to the A or B port is determined by actuators. The B port—typically the hot water circuit—is where flow occurs while the system is at rest.

How do motorized valves operate?

Two wear-resistant ceramic discs with opposing triangular flow apertures are used in the valve's design (a ball valve variant is also available). The discs rotate at a 90-degree angle to open the flow aperture in response to the electric signal. The discs' opening angle may be changed to provide varying flow volumes. A nearly linear flow characteristic is achieved by the two disks' matching shape.

The strong reversible motors that make up the maintenance-free electrical servo drive come in synchronous, stepper, and direct current (DC) motor designs, depending on the kind of control system that is available.

Manual or Motorized Valve?

In general, manual valves are less prevalent. They are frequently isolation valves or valves that are used to secure a network segment. These valves may not be able to be motorized for technical or budgetary reasons (investment and maintenance expenses), in which case operators will need to manually operate them using a handwheel.

There are several drawbacks to manual valves. They might be challenging to maneuver, particularly if they are stuck, or they may require frequent turning, which can make the work for operators lengthy and challenging.

To prevent seizing, manual valves also need to be maintained and activated on a regular basis. Unfortunately, because of time restrictions and, of course, since the work might be difficult for the operators, such preventative measures are seldom performed as much as they could be. Nevertheless, a valve becomes harder to open the less it is turned, and the issue only becomes worse.

In order to open or close a motorized valve, an electric motor usually powers a sophisticated mechanism via a gear train. The kind of valve determines the specific advance mechanism. Typically used in bigger systems like water mains, vertical travel valves, also known as gate or sluice valves, employ a lead screw mechanism to raise or lower the gate plate. In high-precision metering applications, globe valves also include a screw advance mechanism to position the tapered plug that regulates fluid flow.

The fastest actuation times are seen in rotary or quarter-turn motorized actuated valves, which usually employ a cam or central spindle advance mechanism. These valves, which comprise ball and butterfly valve kinds, are among the most often used motorized valve types. These valves have the finest sealing qualities of all the valve types, but they are not appropriate for flow control. They are frequently seen on airplane deicing systems and high-pressure fuel lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a motorized valve used for?

Motorized actuated valves provide precision regulation and frequently remote operation by automatically controlling the flow of fluids or gases.

Can motorized valves be used at home?

Electrically actuated valves are used to control heating and cooling in houses, mostly in HVAC systems.

What role do motorized valves play in energy conservation?

By making sure that systems only run when required, these valves may optimize fluid flow and save energy use.

Is it possible to remotely operate motorized valves?

A large number of motorized actuated valves are operated remotely in a range of applications.