Cheap Proportional Valve!

cheap simple solenoid actuated orifice type proportional valve

There is no such thing as above. You select the Suppliers then opt for the best lowest price. By the way is it $40 for one valve or 30,000 units?

Go to Ali Baba site and seek a Chinese maker.

In fact a simple valve of this kind -which does not exist- can be manufactured in such quatities at the mentioned price target even in Europe or the USA. It is not good to be absolute in all fields.

Hi Ashok,

I just want to make sure we're on the same page. When you say "proportional valve", do you mean that you want to have the valve be adjusted to a certain percentage open depending on how far the process variable is away from the setpoint? That is the definition of proportional control. If so, a simple solenoid-actuated valve would not do the job, since the valve is either fully open or fully closed. Solenoid valves are bound to be cheaper than proportional valves and the cost of the valve will also depend on the size of the lines. That is, a 0.5" valve will be cheaper than a 2.5" valve.

Hope this was clear.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. I was indeed referring to a "proportional valve" rather than a simple on off valve. What i am after is, A valve that will change the flow rate depending on the current/voltage input to the valve (Voltage Sensitive Orifice VSO).

Thanks,

-Ashok.

Mikerho,

Just FYI. Your def of process proportional control is right. But a proportional flow valve like I think the poster is asking about is shown on the link. I use these all over my plant to match air flow to my run speeds for different pneumatic equipment. Of course... these have to be controlled by process variables...PLC or loop.

You're not going to get these for 40 bucks though.

I just noticed the Link I gave above will not work. Try this approach.

www.hydraulicspneumatics.com Then go to the "Designer Guide" link and to "Directional Controls Proportional Servo"

you might try www.grangers.com

Woopsss sorry to eairly in the morning www.graingers.com

This company may be able to make something for you. www.mittonvalve.com

This sounds like an application for a voice coil operated valve. You may find that GeePlus is a supplier that can met your needs. www.geeplus.biz (thier web site may be down for repairs today) Gee Plus is also listed under soleniods and motors in Global Spec.

To give you the right hint I would need some other informations as follows :

- the pressure drop you expect to have in the valve

-if in the no current/voltage situation the valve should be open or closed (fail safe position).

- One important parameter which you have not indicated (at least I have not found it) is the dynamics you expect. In general it is given in time(ms) from flow nil to max and the opposite for the closing. The 2 values are required since for simplicity the valve will have only one solenoid acting against a spring.

- Do you have an imposed voltage ? an imposed limit for the current ? A volume limitation?

- How do you want to connect it ? on what ?

- do you want to use it as a variable resistor in series with a fixed one to regulate pressure ? or is it used with a container ? Depending on several parameters of dynamics it is possible to use a true proportional valve or a PWM principle which will, most probably, cost less.

For such a quantity (if it is true) then you could look even at a tailored valve.

As a comment to what was mentioned in an other comment, it is of course possible to make a solenoid proportional valve and it is not necessary to use a too complex technology as the voice coil.

I am from India. I may be able to tailor make this valve.....if you can e-mail complete specs and application details...ssujeer@yahoo.com