Air Valve
July 10th, 2011The need for an Air Valve
An air valve is a mainstay of any pumping or plumbing system. The ever present air valves in a pipeline are found there for good reason. An air valve is present to drive air out of the pipeline so that a continuous smooth flow of fluid is maintained through it. There are primarily three ways that air enters the pipeline:
– Firstly, during the start, the pipeline already contains air. This air must be driven out before the pipeline begins to fill. Once the pipeline begins to fill with water, the air is pushed downstream. Mechanical apparatus such as hydrants and faucets are positioned downstream to help exhaust this air. However these are not 100 percent effective and a lot of air will remain in the pipeline at the high points of the system.
– Secondly, about 2 percent by volume of water is dissolved air. This air gets released from the water due to an increase in temperature or a drop in pressure. This would also occur at the high points of the system due to the elevation.
– Thirdly, some amount of air enters through the fittings, valves, pipe joints, etc when vacuum conditions are applied.
All this air that gets trapped into the pipeline needs to be removed. Air trapped at high points may cause a headloss to the flow. Sometimes these air pockets can stop all flow. They are also harmful to the pipeline and its machinery. Hence, air valve needs to be used to get rid of all this trapped air. An air valve allows air to leave but not enter back. A variety of automatic air valves are used in pipelines.
Types of air valve used
There are three basic types of air valves. The air valve for our system is chosen from amongst them.
– Air release valve: Air release valves are most commonly used as air valve in a pipeline. It releases air under pressure and can be placed at various points of the system. This type of an air valve consists of a float to sense the presence of air and a mechanism for linkage of the float to the mechanism for opening of the orifice for release of the air.
– Air vacuum valve: Usually placed downstream in a pipeline or at high points. This kind of air valve is generally used for driving out the air just after startup once the pipe begins to fill.
– Combination air valve: This air valve combines the features of both air release and air vacuum valves and is the best choice for use at high points. It is also safe to use combination valve wherever possible as it functions as either of the valves and thus doesn’t leave the pipeline unprotected.
The positioning of an Air valve in a pipeline
The positioning of an air valve in a pipeline is critical to its proper functioning. The right type of air valve must be placed at the right position. A few guidelines ensures that the right air valve is placed at the right place:
1. High point: combination valve.
2. Long horizontal run: air release valve at fixed intervals.
3. Long descent: combination valve at fixed intervals.
4. Long ascent: vacuum valve at fixed intervals.
5. Decrease in up-slope: vacuum valve.
6. Increase in down-slope: combination valve.
A historical view of Neodymium Magnets
June 30th, 2011This lonely planet, Earth, this speck of dust when compared to the whole of the universe and its numerous heavenly bodies and unknown depths of space is the only habitable place known to man. Still it contains sufficient amounts of all necessary substances and infrastructures to support all the varied forms of life on the planet. It is a Pandora’s Box of animated and inanimate things which make life on this globe possible and worthwhile.
It also sustains man’s unending thirst for progress and knowledge which makes him explore new dimensions and search for more and more answers to his interminable questions. Since the 18th century, when the industrial age started, human population has exponentially increased to mammoth proportions. He had to manufacture things on a very large scale and at a very fast rate.
Hence man dug into earth’s natural resources with increased vehemence and explored its varied riches. The Pandora’s Box was de-lidded. Metals, valuable rocks, plants, water, soil, different rocks, minerals – all were put into use to satisfy man’s ever-increasing need. Eventually man discovered more and more uses for these resources. One example can be cited in the field of rare earth magnets, especially neodymium magnets, the most popular of them.
A neodymium magnet, also known as a Neo magnet, is a type of permanent magnet. It is made from an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron. It has a tetragonal crystal molecular structure (Nd2Fe14B). It is most popular of all rare earth magnets and the strongest type of permanent magnet. General Motors and Sumimoto Special Metals invented it in the year 1982. It is brittle in nature and easily corroded and hence is coated with nickel for protection. It has high remanence, which means it has a highly strong magnetic field, and also high coercivity, which means it is very resistant to becoming demagnetized.
Such magnets, in spite of their name are hardly rare, being, in fact as usually found as lead or tin. Because of their strong magnetic fields they can be used in small sizes in places where light-weight equipments are required and hence have found a lot of applications.
Neodymium Magnets – where and how?
Modern technology, basically based on electronics, requires usage of a large amount of magnets. As days pass by, light weight gadgets are required to keep up with the fast paced life. And as such neodymium magnets because of their usability in small sizes have replaced conventional magnets. They are used head actuators for hard drives, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic guitar picks, audio systems, cordless tools, different types of motors and a whole lot of myriad applications.
The great strength of neodymium magnets have also inspired new applications like magnetic jewelry clasps and magnetic children’s building sets. But they have to be handled with extreme care as they can be very harmful for the human body because of their strong magnetic fields.
Solenoid valves for water
June 26th, 2011Solenoid valves are electromagnetic devices that are used to direct the flow of fluids through them. The fluid controlled is usually water.
Solenoid valves for water feeding inlets are generally used in household appliances like washing machines, dishwasher, automatic taps, garden sprinklers, etc. Solenoid valves for water feeding consist of a valve that is controlled by a solenoid.
Electric current flows through a solenoid that helps in allowing, blocking, dosing, slowing and controlling the flow of water. If the solenoid valve for water flow being used is a two port valve, then the flow of water could be switched on or off with the help of the solenoid. If it is a three port valve then the flow of water can be regulated over two of these three ports. Solenoid valves for water flow are widely used as they are very highly reliable, have a long working life, a quick response, low power consumption and a compact structure and design.
How do solenoid valves for water work?
The solenoid valve for water flow consists of two main parts: the valve and the solenoid used for controlling it. The solenoid converts electrical energy supplied into mechanical energy.
This is turn helps in the mechanical opening and closing of the valve. The valve being used may be a direct acting valve with a small circuit or a diaphragm piloted one. Diaphragm piloted valves use the small circuit and amplify it so that they can be used to control the flow of water through a large orifice. A spring may also be used to hold the valve in position when the solenoid is not activated. The solenoid is activated by electrical energy and it applies a differential pressure on the diaphragm which results in a flow.
The input pressure must be higher than the output pressure at all times, or else the valve would remain open regardless of the solenoid or the pilot valve. This is how a solenoid valve for water flow works.
What are the applications of solenoid valves for water?
Solenoid valve for water flow finds many applications, both in household appliances and in the industry.
Washing machines, dishwashers, automatic taps, automatic garden sprinklers, etc are some of the household uses for solenoid valves for water flow. In industry they are used mainly for fluidics and control. Fluidics is a branch of science dealing with the performance of logical operations with fluids just like with electronics.
Automation in industrial control, automatic transmission, unmanned flying, etc are just a few examples of fields that employ fluidics. Nanotechnology is thought of as one of the emerging fields for application of fluidics.
Fuel management system
June 13th, 2011Fuel Management System is an effective operation to look over the proper maintenance, control and monitoring of fuel consumption and storage in any kind of industry around the globe.
The technology of fuel management system has proved immensely helpful in industries involving the rail, road, water, air and other transport related organizations that deal with fuel consumption. They are designed specifically to measure the usage of fuel in the realm of transportation and take necessary managerial decisions accordingly.
How Does Fuel Management System Works?
Fuel Management System is built so as to provide a clear picture of the amount of fuel consumption. They have proved beneficial in cutting down fuel expenses in industries dealing with fleet of vehicles operating through oil usage. The system takes in use various technologies and methods to monitor and track fuel inventories, purchases and dispensed. This information is transmitted to centralized computer storage software to generate reports that give detailed information about the various management practices of the company.
These reports are helpful in designing the future plan of action and form the basic core of fuel management system program. The system has seen major developments in the last few years. One such major change is the introduction of web portals to give a detailed description about the fuel data. The importance of this data lie in the fact that it is elementary in making estimations about the consumption control, cost analysis and tax account for the purchase of fuel.
Several kinds of fuel management system have been employed by fuel industries around the globe. Card-based fuel management system has the ability to track down the fuel transactions based on fuel card and the PIN number of the respective driver.
The driver can be asked to relay the information and the data can be downloaded accordingly. Another kind is the onsite fuel management system which believes in the employment of fleet refueling services or bulk fuel tanks for fuel consumption on the sites. This system gives the advantage of tracking down the fuel as soon as it is pumped into the vehicles and the levels of storage can be managed accordingly.
Importance of Fuel Management System
An effective fuel management system helps in ascertaining the exact quantity of fuel used and the manner in which it was spent.
It gives an in-depth account of the various factors that impact fuel usage, thus helping in improving upon the current scenario by making the necessary changes.
Solenoid valves
June 13th, 2011Since man invented the wheel, he has been on a relentless march towards the future. He has utilized nature’s resources to invent new equipments and methods to make life an application of scientific techniques.
As a result of man’s incessant need for knowledge we now lead lives aided with numerous technological gadgets. And has also tried his hand at controlling the elements of nature. He has created dams to control and harness the energy of rivers. One more such application of control is the use of valves. Here we discuss a specific type called the solenoid valves.
How solenoid valves are made
A solenoid valve is basically an electromagnetic valve and it is used with the help of liquid or gas.
The valve is controlled by the use of electric current passed through a solenoid. A solenoid is an electric coil made of conducting material in the form of a helix. The solenoid valve has two main parts : the solenoid and the valve. The solenoid acts as an electromagnet.
When electricity is passed through it, it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy which makes the valve open or close. Solenoid valves are available in two types. Firstly, the two-port valve which offers only one direction of fluid flow. The flow can only turned on/off in this kind of valve. Secondly, the three-port valve the outflow of the fluid can be switched between two available directions.
Multiple solenoids mounted on specific manifolds may also be used to offer greater control of movement. Seals used in solenoid valves may be made of metal or of rubber. These may further be connected to electrical interfaces for ease of control. A mechanized spring may be used to hold the valve open or closed when it is inactive.
Types and uses of solenoid valves
In fluidics, solenoid valves are the most frequently used control elements. They are used fluid power pneumatics and also in hydraulic systems. They are used to control cylinders, for fluid powered motorized equipments or even certain larger industrial valves.
Solenoid valves with automatic controllers are used in automated irrigation sprinkler systems. Water input into domestic appliances like washing machines and dishwashers is also controlled by solenoid valves. Even in the paintball industry these valves are used to control the flow of propellants. Solenoids are also used in pharmacology experiments, especially as patch clamps. Solenoid valves are also available in a variation called the pilot valve which requires low power to be kept open once activated. Solenoids have vast application area.
They shut off, mix, distribute, dose and release fluids. They are highly reliable, have long shelf lives, offer fast and safe switching, need low power to operate and are pretty compact. Hence they are of great use in today’s world.
N52 magnets
April 13th, 2011Where do we find N52 magnets
Throughout the history of this earth, man has been defined and driven by a thirst for knowledge and innovation. He has been relentless in his progress towards a more scientific way of life. Earlier he used to hunt and gather for a living. After that came the time of agriculture and trade. Then the time of kings when any one would try to one-up the other just for supremacy.
Today man is trying even harder to leave the past behind at an ever-increasing pace. His quest for scientific excellence triggered the industrial revolution which led to the establishment of most industries and trade lines.
The way of the naturally sufficient life gave way to the time when man needed huge amounts of resources to fuel his need for progress. Thus he turned to the earth and dug up its various riches from the ground.
Ever since the advent of mining, the earth has been providing man with all the resources he needs. One such resource are the rare earth magnets. A very specific type of these magnets called the N52 magnets are indeed very useful.
How are the N52 magnets made?
The rare earth magnets, as the name suggests, are made up of rare earth metals. Such rare earth metals include cobalt, neodymium, nickel etc. Examples of such magnets are ferrite magnets, alnico magnets etc. Such magnets are very strong and used in various industries. N52 magnets on the other hand belong to the family of neodymium magnets.
These magnets are made of the elements neodymium, iron and boron. They are symbolized as NdFeB, also called NIB. It comes as a range of products: N35, N38, N42, N52 etc. These are in the category of super strong magnets.
The grading of the neodymium magnets are by their strength. The higher the number following N, stronger the magnet. As such N52 magnets are the strongest ones available in the market today. But they are prone to chipping and cracking as they are brittle. Machining such magnets thus becomes difficult.
Also if kept exposed to air the iron rusts. Hence there is a need for plating the magnets to preserve their magnetic properties and prevent corrosion. Nickel is the most preferred medium for coating. These magnets are also highly resistant to demagnetization.
N52 magnets – uses and care
N52 magnets are the strongest magnets known. Hence they need to be handled with extreme care as they may cause damages to the human body and other objects around it. N52 magnets are used in various industries where maximum magnetic strength is required in a small contraption, ideal for delicate work.
They are also used as magnetic bearings of high power. Their super strength packed into their small sizes makes them more useful in using in all kinds of machines and gadgets.