Valve Actuators Glossary of Terms
| ACTUATOR | Electric or manual rotary device used to open and close a valve, gate or damper |
| DECLUTCH | A mechanical mechanism to disengage an actuator from the load |
| DIRECT MOUNTING | The actuator is mounted directly onto a valve without any intermediate adapter plate or kit |
| DUAL ACTING | A pneumatic actuator that can operated in both directions by air |
| FAIL SAFE | Typically a mechanical device that returns an actuator to a safe position in the case of a power failure |
| GEAR OPERATOR | A term for a valve actuator |
| HANDWHEEL | A wheel manually operated by hand to open or close an actuator |
| INPUT TORQUE | The rim effort times the handwheel radius |
| LIMIT SWITCH | A limit switch is an electromechanical device with contacts that interrupt a circuit when tripped |
| MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE | Is a measure of the force amplification achieved by using a mechanical device or machine system |
| MOUNTING KIT | A bracket or plate to adapt an actuator to a valve |
| MULTI TURN | A type of rotary actuator that turns more than one complete revolution |
| OUTPUT TORQUE | The input torque multiplied by the mechanical advantage |
| POSITION INDICATOR | A mechanical device on the actuator that provides a visual indication of the valves open/close position |
| QUARTER TURN | A type of rotary actuator that turns only 90 degrees |
| RACK & PINION | The type of gearing used in pneumatic actuators |
| RATIO | Number of turns on the input divided by the number of turns on the output |
| RIM EFFORT | The amount of force applied to the radius of the handwheel by the operator, typically in pounds |
| SELF LOCKING | Gearing within an actuator that is designed such that it cannot be driven backwards from the load side |
| SOLENOID VALVE | An electromechanically operated valve controlled by an electric current |
| SPRING RETURN | A pneumatic actuator that can be operated in one direction with air and the other direction by means of springs |
| STEM | The shaft on a valve is also referred to as the stem |
| TOP WORKS | The mounting details on the top of a valve, typically the stem size and mounting bolt hole pattern |
| TORQUE | Force times radius |
| VALVE OPERATOR | A term for a valve actuator |
MANUFACTURERS WE REPRESENT
Alltork Actuation works with trusted manufacturers and recognized brands of valve actuators to deliver highest quality products throughout Canada.
