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Compact, High Performance, Automated & Manual Valves

In The News
Assured Automation Valves in Action

CSA (AGA) - Certified External Remote Gas Shut-Off
VA Series (valve+actuator) in Action

Many applications require remote access to valves, and an innovative valve application used to shut off gas service is gaining recognition with thousands of installations across the United States, as a simple solution to an ongoing problem.

The Buffalo Gauge Inc.'s Gaszone Division is using Assured Automation's VA Series (valve+actuator) intheir innovative product Neupmatic valve.

The Neupmatic valve has been approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) formerly AGA. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recognizes the Neupmatic Valve™, as a curb valve or emergency shutoff valve for the natural gas industry. At last, gas companies - and even fire departments - can remotely shut off natural gas from outside a building.

Buffalo Gauge equips the VA Series with a capillary tube and a special Lock Charged Device utilizing pumped air in its Remote Gas Shutoff System. "The VA Series meets all of our requirements for our application - safety, security, extended life, and ease of installation," reports Charles Schmidt, Buffalo Gauge's CEO. "We needed a proven, tested valve with fast actuation, a high cycle life, and bubble tight shut-off."

The Neupmatic valve is installed up stream to the gas meter and the capillary is run to the exterior of the dwelling and terminated within a special exterior mounted lock box where access is secure and limited to the gas company. The capillary is then pressurized with air (using a handheld pump) pushing the spring loaded piston back which opens the valve allowing gas service. If the gas service must be shutoff the exterior box is opened and the air is exhausted and the spring pushes the piston closing the valve.

If anyone tampers with the Neupmatic capillary or Lock Charged Device the valve automatically closes because it is a spring loaded normally closed valve.

If the fire department needs to shut off gas service, they can access the exterior lockbox and terminate service.

Assured Automation's VA Series (valve+actuator) which is an integrated on/off valve and pneumatic actuator has proved to be a valuable OEM component allowing more compact piping installations and unique new product offerings.

When the VA Series was introduced 10 years ago, it was considered a unique specialty automated valve product, and is now used in many new applications beyond its original design intent.

The VA Series replaces angle valves and ball valves in many installations due to its reduction in size and competitive cost. It also replaces large solenoid valves where small orifices clog and diaphragms rupture.

The VA series was developed for clean media applications such as compressed air, water, oil and other clean media compatible with brass and standard seal components such as VITON, BUNA N and EPDM.

When compared to angle valves the VA Series occupies significantly less room while delivering the same or a better flow coefficient at a more competitive price. While it is smaller and less costly than ball valves it does have a lower flow coefficient which in a lot of applications is not a problem.

The compressed air port of the VA Series is designed to accommodate NAMUR style solenoid valves. The NAMUR standard provides standard mounting interface dimensions for pneumatic actuators, making standardization easier for many manufacturers. It also can be fitted with position indication switches by adding a magnet on the piston and an exterior reed or solid state switch to read the piston position.

Other OEM applications that utilize the compact size and speed of operation in their designs are; fire fighting equipment, train track switching applications, manifold systems for air distribution, nitrogen generators, vacuum forming equipment, machine oil and lubrication systems.

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