Consider Remanufactured Process Instrumentation as an Excellent Alternative to Buying New

As the world's largest remanufacturer of magnetic flow meters, TECO has the experience, trained technicians and facilities to remanufacture flanged and wafer mags to meet or exceed all OEM specifications and performance standards.

You will typically have a quotation and failure analysis in your hands by fax/email within 48 hours from the time your instruments arrive on our receiving dock. You will know your instruments are here, you will know what the price and lead time will be, and you can make a timely, informed decision. Send your business to TECO. We make it our job to help you succeed!
  • All Brands
  • NIST Traceable Certificate
  • Off-the-Shelf Meters Available
  • Obsolete Meters our Specialty
  • No Evaluation Charges
  • Magmeter Customization Services
  • All Magmeter accessories
  • New Warranty
  • Failure Analysis
  • Severe Application Meters
  • Converter/Transmitter Repairs
  • Remanufacturing is GREEN

Industrial Valve Actuators and Valve Automation

Pneumatic Valve Actuator
Pneumatic Valve Actuator (white)
Actuators are devices which supply the force and motion to open and close valves. They can be manually, pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated. In common industrial usage, the term actuator generally refers to a device which employs a non-human power source and can respond to a controlling signal. Handles and wheels, technically manual actuators, are not usually referred to as actuators. They do not provide the automation component characteristic of powered units.

The primary function of a valve actuator is to set and hold the valve position in response to a process control signal. Actuator operation is related to the valve on which it is installed, not the process regulated by the valve. Thus a general purpose actuator may be used across a broad range of applications.

Electric Valve Actuator
Electric Valve Actuator (blue)
In a control loop, the controller has an input signal parameter, registered from the process, and compares it to a desired setpoint parameter. The controller adjusts its output to eliminate the difference between the process setpoint and process measured condition. The output signal then drives some control element, in this case the actuator, so that the error between setpoint and actual conditions is reduced. The output signal from the controller serves as the input signal to the actuator, resulting in a repositioning of the valve trim to increase or decrease the fluid flow through the valve.

An actuator must provide sufficient force to open and close its companion valve. The size or power of
the actuator must match the operating and torque requirements of the companion valve. After an evaluation is done for the specific application, it may be found that other things must be accommodated by the actuator, such as dynamic fluid properties of the process or the seating and unseating properties of the valve. It is important that each specific application be evaluated to develop a carefully matched valve and actuator for the process.

Hydraulic and electric actuators are readily available in multi-turn and quarter-turn configurations. Pneumatic actuators are generally one of two types applied to quarter-turn valves: scotch-yoke and rack and pinion. A third type of pneumatic actuator, the vane actuator, is also available.

For converting input power into torque, electric actuators use motors and gear boxes while pneumatic actuators use air cylinders. Depending on torque and force required by the valve, the motor horsepower, gearing, and size of pneumatic cylinder may change.

There are almost countless valve actuator variants available in the industrial marketplace. Many are tailored for very narrow application ranges, while others are more generally applied. Special designs can offer more complex operating characteristics. Ultimately, when applying actuators to any type of device, consultation with an application specialist is recommended to help establish and attain proper performance, safety and cost goals, as well as evaluation and matching of the proper actuator to the valve operation requirements. Share your fluid process control requirements with a specialist in valve automation, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

ABB Rotameters

ABB rotameter
ABB rotameter
Rotameters, also known as variable area flowmeters, are designed to measure the flow of liquids or gases via a tapered tube and float system. They are accurate, reliable and simple to install and maintain. The biggest benefit is their low cost, which has made them a popular choice for many flow applications since Fischer & Porter introduced the first mass-produced glass tube flowmeter in 1937. TECO was the first firm to represent and sell the Fischer & Porter Rotameter Line, dating back to March, 1947.

The following brochure is designed to help you select the right ABB rotameter for your application. You can read it below, or download your own copy of the ABB Rotameter brochure from this link. If you have questions or are ready for a quote, simply contact TECO at 800-528-8997 or visit teco-inc.com/ABB.