Check valves stand as the unrecognized champions of flow control, quietly enabling the smooth movement of fluids and gases in one direction while firmly blocking any backward flows. For design engineers and technical professionals, the performance of check valves can make or break the efficiency, reliability, and durability of an application. Yet, among the usual troubles of traditional check valves emerges the Umbrella Check Valve. This innovative solution holds the promise of overcoming the limitations of its predecessors, shaping a new chapter in the world of flow control.
Understanding Check Valve Issues
Common problems with traditional check valves are not just inconveniences; they can significantly impact the functionality and service life of entire systems. Some of the most common hinderances of check valves are:
- Noise and vibration
- Degrading material
- Leakage
- Reversion
- Performance decline over time
- Limited cracking pressures
Introducing the Umbrella Check Valve
Air Logic’s Umbrella Check Valve is a revolutionary design that rethinks the fundamentals of non-return valves. Crafted with a plastic body and a preloaded elastomer seat, the umbrella valve embodies a forward-thinking approach to minimizing the flaws of its predecessors. With a specific focus on addressing cracking pressures of below 2 psi, the umbrella check valve delivers a unique set of advantages that set it apart in the check valve landscape.
Distinct Advantages
While certain issues may not have universal solutions through a product, the Umbrella Check Valve stands out as a versatile problem solver precisely where it matters. In cases requiring low cracking pressure, Poppet and Spring-loaded Ball style check valves struggle due to inconsistent performance from mass-producing lightweight springs.
To address variability or the specification for no metal, many OEMs opt for the Duckbill style check valve. However, Duckbills can stick together, causing erratic cracking pressure. Manufacturers sometimes use lubrication initially, but this diminishes with use, reducing efficiency and contaminating the system. Air Logic’s Umbrella Check Valves are robustly configured to not include lubrication and can handle a much wider operating range, continuing to function at pressures that would cause a Duckbill to fail.
Applications in Engineering
The versatility of the umbrella check valve shines through in its compatibility with a wide array of applications. Ranging from life sciences to consumer products, this first-in-class solution of one-way flow regulation finds its home in the most intricate and sensitive of systems. Providing reliability in small engines and precision in medical and analytical devices, the umbrella check valve demonstrates its value through its adaptability and problem-solving capabilities.
The “PPS” Variation
The Polypropylene and Silicone variation of the Umbrella Check Valve has been meticulously engineered to meet the stringent demands of the Life Science sector. This specific model addresses critical industry requirements such as biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and durability in harsh environments. By utilizing high-grade Polypropylene for the body and a Silicone elastomer for the valve seat, the PPS variation ensures compatibility with a wide range of fluids and gases encountered in medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological applications. Notably, these materials have been chosen for their compliance with relevant agency ratings, including USP Class VI for biocompatibility and FDA 21 CFR for food and drug safety. Significantly, the design intentionally avoids the incorporation of materials like DEHP and BPA, known for their potential health risks, thereby aligning with the industry’s shift towards safer and more environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.
Take a look at all the listed ratings and absent materials on any of the PPS product pages.
Conclusion
The umbrella check valve is not just a technical innovation; it truly showcases the ongoing collaboration of our target markets and our product development teams. By understanding and addressing the issues that have plagued traditional check valves, this solution serves as an exemplar for the potential of progressive design. Design engineers, technical buyers, and industry aficionados are encouraged to not just consider, but to fully incorporate this distinctive product. Air Logic’s Umbrella Check Valve embodies progress, and it is a stride worth taking for anyone vested in the fluid control industry.
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