Ball Valves

Typical Ball Valves

Component Related Documentation

Ball valves are zero-leakage valves used to shutoff, isolate or reroute flow in hydraulic lines. Most commonly, they are used as isolating components for system maintenance. A ball valve controls fluid flow using a movable ball-shaped part with a hole through it. When a handle connected to the ball rotates the ball so the hole is in line with the axis of the body of the valve, fluid flows through the valve. Turning the handle one quarter of a turn (90 degrees) rotates the hole in the ball perpendicular to the axis of the valve, and fluid flow is blocked. The axis of the handle is parallel to the axis of the hole in the ball. Thus, the position of the handle indicates of the position of the ball. Though most of the ball valves in use operate manually with the handle, electric motor driven and pneumatically powered rotary operators are also used on ball valves, allowing them to be controlled automatically. Though most ball valves are 2-way (2-port) valves, they are also available in 3-way and 4-way configurations.

Safety Related Notes

Before working on this machine, perform lockout-tagout procedures per the rules of your plant. Determine the sources of energy on this machine – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic – and release or vent sources of stored energy – electrical capacitors, air receivers, and hydraulic accumulators. Shut off sources of power – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic. Safely block mechanical sources of energy such as loaded springs and loaded machine members, or safely position the machine members so they are unloaded and springs are not under tension. Beware of hot hydraulic fluid and hot surfaces which can cause burns. Never “crack a hydraulic or pneumatic fitting” to check for the presence of stored energy. Hydraulic fluid injection injuries, as well as injection injuries from many other fluids, are extremely serious and must be treated immediately by medical personnel familiar with this type of injury. Loss of body parts or death may result from improperly treated fluid injection injuries! Never use your hands to feel for a hydraulic leak! Review the schematics and think before proceeding to work on the machine to ensure you have made the machine safe to work on.