Spotlight
on Valves

Modular check valves

A company designs and manufactures an extensive family of check valves for a variety of applications. The valves provide accurate, reliable control of fluid or gas in low-pressure, low-flow systems. With over 16,000 possible configurations, these check valves offer a maximum degree of modularity and versatility. Clients can create their own custom valves from the company's stock parts by specifying cartridge size, end fitting (if applicable), cracking pressure, and materials. The valves are positive sealing, quick opening, and gamma and EtO sterilizable. Smart Products Inc., 1710 Ringwood Ave., San Jose, CA 95131.

Low-pressure valves

Plug valves are designed for fluid selection and redirection in low-pressure applications and are available in port sizes of 0.59 and 0.118 in. The wetted paths are made of chemically inert Teflon and Kel-F materials. Sixteen different flow, loop, and distribution valve configurations are offered. To allow for interchangeability of fittings, adapters, and tubing, the valve connections are via 1/4-28 UNF-2B fittings. Valves can be used freestanding or they can be mounted into panels for custom installation into control panels or instruments. Hamilton Co., P.O. Box 10030, Reno, NV 89520.

Split-stream valves

Low-pressure MicroSplitter valves offer a practical and economical way to meter a split stream at pressures up to 800 psi. These totally nonmetallic, biocompatible PEEK valves are available with 1/ 4-28 fittings for 1/16- and 1/8-in.-OD tubing, or 10-32 fittings for 1/16- in.-OD tubing, including a 10-32 with a 6-32 split-stream port for capillary tubing. The metering needle in these valves accurately reduces the split flow down to as low as 2 µl/min. Upchurch Scientific, 619 W. Oak St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

High-flow check valves

Clear one-way check valves of unique design offer unimpeded fluid flow, low opening pressure, and no backflow even at very low back pressures. Proprietary design of the one-way flow element allows this check valve to have a much greater flow rate than duckbill, ball-check, or disk-type valves. The valves are made from medical-grade plastic and silicone materials that can be EtO or gamma sterilized. Steam autoclavable valves are available on special request. Resenex Corp., 9614-F Cozycroft Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311.

Panel-mount valves

Panel-mount isolation valves provide an economical solution for applications that require client access to port connections. The design isolates the valve solenoid from the port connections, thus isolating the instrument's electronics from the effects of accidental exposure to the working fluids. This design introduces a drip lip to divert potential fitting leakage away from the instrument panel. The incorporation of in-line porting assures user-friendly connections while guarding the integrity of instrument electronics. NResearch Inc., 267 Fairfield Ave., West Caldwell, NJ 07006.

Two-way solenoid valves

Two-way solenoid valves offer flows up to 50% greater than the manufacturer's standard Series 6 valves. The two-way valves with 3/8-in. NPT ports and 3/8-in. orifice size provide flow capability with a Cv factor of 0.90. The standard two-way solenoid valve is designed for applications with a maximum operating pressure differential of 5 psi. These customized units can also be modified to meet higher pressures. They are compatible with air or liquid media. KIP Inc., 72 Spring Ln., Farmington, CT 06034.

Three-way valves

Three-way chemically inert solenoid valves feature small size, fast response, and low power consumption, making them suitable for use in demanding clinical and analytical instrument applications. Each valve is 100% tested and inspected to ensure reliable long-term performance. The LFR-series valves are available in 12- and 24-V-dc models, and a variety of porting options and mounting styles. The Lee Co., P.O. Box 424, Westbrook, CT 06498.

Solenoid-operated pinch valves

For both moving fluids and gases, a line of pinch valves provides an easily controlled, contamination-free flow path. Pinch valves are well suited to irrigation or aspiration systems because tubing can be installed and removed easily without the need for difficult and unreliable cleaning methods. The valves are available in sizes as small as 17/8 in. in length and as light as 2 oz. They draw as little as 0.10 A at 24 V dc and are available in 12 V dc as well. They can handle from 21 in./Hg vacuum to 25 psi. Bio-Chem Valve Inc., 85 Fulton St., Boonton, NJ 07005.

Inert isolation valve

A two-way, normally closed, solenoid-operated valve features only two inert materials contacting the flow path. The body is made of Ultem polyetherimide, a polymer that performs well at high temperature, is biocompatible and FDA approved, and is applicable in numerous biomedical and biomechanical applications. The diaphragm that isolates the fluid path from the solenoid is made of ethylene propylene, also an inert material. Liquid flow rates up to 1.7 L/min at 2-psi differential are common. The valve is rated as bubbletight against 50 psi in either direction, and the barbed ports are configured to accommodate 1/4-in.-ID tubing. South Bend Controls Inc., 1237 Northside Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615.

Check valves

A manufacturer of disposable medical devices offers a full line of check valves in a variety of design configurations. Its product line includes in-line, normally closed, low-pressure one-way, TRAC, aspiration, and dual check valves. Available in a variety of flow rates, materials, sizes, and custom designs, the valves are designed to meet the toughest application challenges. Burron OEM Div., B. Braun Medical Inc., P.O. Box 4027, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Disposable needleless valves

Needleless valves limit the risk of infection to health-care providers by replacing the hypodermic needle ports. A company's needleless line consists of a variety of low-priming-volume disposable parts including slip luer valves, Y ports, T ports, 1/4-in. tubing valves, and ANSI standard valves. These components are available in a variety of sterilizable materials. Halkey-Roberts Corp., 11600 9th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33716.

Plastic needle valves

A series of needle valves is suitable for instrumentation applications. The fine angle of the needle allows for the precise control of flow, which is restricted in both directions. The needle valves are adjustable from zero to the equivalent flow of a 0.025-in. orifice and can be provided for in-line installation or panel mounting. Two models are available: a standard glass-filled nylon model that is available with straight ports for 1/16-in.-ID tubing or barbs for 1/16- and 1/8-in.-ID tubing; and a new glass-filled polypropylene model that is suitable for those applications where chemical resistance is a concern. It is available with straight ports for 1/16-in.-ID tubing. Air Logic, 5102 Douglas Ave., Racine, WI 53402.

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