DN Staff

January 21, 2002

1 Min Read
Remote valve operation


Originally developed in association with the U.S. Navy for operating valves in inaccessible areas of ships' hulls, Flexi-Drive can be used in all weather conditions and even underwater.

When valves are located in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas, the "Flexi-Drive" cable system comes in handy. A geared handwheel, valve station, and patented cable linkage system form its key elements. Mechanical performance characteristics of the helically wound steel cable ensure the valve station turns simultaneously with the remote handwheel.

Able to drive a valve from distances as far as 60m, the cable system accommodates up to 540 degrees of bending between stations. This, in turn, permits passage between walls, bulkheads, and other obstacles. One further advantage: The gearing system can be "piggy-backed" to drive multiple valves from a single operator station.

Tim Hughes, Smith Flow Control Ltd., Witham, Essex, U.K.; Tel: +44 1376 517901; Fax: +44 1376 518720; [email protected].

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