Air Operated Valves AOV

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
Air Operated Valves AOV
Usually the air pressure enters the the Diaphragm Casing from above. The
diaphragm pressure is increased and it pushes the diaphragm down to close the
valve. To open the valve, the air pressure against the diaphragm is reduced and the
diaphragm moves up. It is the spring that holds the diaphragm up.
This is illustrated below in figure 27.

Figure 27 Typical Direct Acting Diaphragm Actuator

In the above diagram the air pressure enters the Diaphragm Casing from the top. As
the air pressure increases it pushes the diaphragm down to close the valve. To open
the valve, the air pressure against the diaphragm is reduced and the diaphragm
moves up. It is the spring that holds the diaphragm up.
The position of the valve depends on the air pressure on the diaphragm. The valve
will move from the fully open position to the fully closed position with an air pressure
change of from 3 psig to 15 psig.
In most process systems the controlling mechanism is fail safe. That is, if the system
fails, the valve will be made to seat in a safe position. These valves are said to be
Fail Safe. This operation method is designed to protect parts of the system from too
much pressure if something goes wrong. A large spring is attached to the actuator
rod and diaphragm. Its function is to fully open or fully close the valve if the
instrument air supply to the valve actuator cuts off.
If the air supply fails at a Direct Acting Diaphragm Actuator, the valve will
automatically fully open. If the air supply fails at a Reverse Acting Diaphragm
Actuator, the valve will automatically fully close.

Figure 28 A Typical Reverse Acting Diaphragm Actuator

In the above diagram(figure 28), the air pressure enters the Diaphragm Casing from
bottom. As the air pressure increases, the diaphragm is pushed upwards. This
opens the valve. To close the valve, the air pressure against the diaphragm is
reduced and the diaphragm moves down. It is the spring that holds the diaphragm
down.