Actuated ball valves are rotating ball type pipe valves that come without manual turn handles to allow installation with an actuator. The valves are used together with an actuator device to automate valve opening and closing and therefore control plumbing fluid rates. A ball valve consists of a valve body in which a large sphere with a central hole equal to the inside diameter of the pipe is mounted. As the ball is rotated, in the fully open position the valve provides the through conduit or full bore required for unrestricted flow of the fluid and scrapers or pigs.
Used for the automation of industrial valves, actuators can be found in all kinds of process plants. They are used in waste water treatment plants, power plants, refineries, mining and nuclear processes, food factories, and pipelines. Valve actuators play a major part in automating process control. There are four general types of ball valves: full port, standard port, reduced port, and v port.
The ball sits snugly on its seating within a duct opening (port). It is attached directly to the operating handle of the valve, which is usually located above or to the side of the device, often on the outside of a pipe assembly. Materials like stainless steel, brass, and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are the common housing materials used in ball valves. The ball is usually made of chrome-plated steel, chrome-plated brass, PVC, or stainless steel.
