Innovations and solutions

Curtiss-Wright Corp has acquired the assets of South Bend Controls for $10 million. South Bend Controls is a leading designer and manufacturer of highly engineered, solenoid-based components used in critical applications serving the aerospace and defense, industrial and medical markets, and had sales of approximately $8 million in 2010.

Primary Fluid Systems Inc has introduced a new line of diaphragm style back pressure valves and pressure relief valves. The features of the new Top Valve line include a completely adjustable pressure range of 15-150 psig and a built-in air release to reduce priming difficulties with metering pumps.

A forecast from the McIlvaine Company states that the industrial valve market will hit $53 billion in 2012. The report predicts that Asia will be the biggest market, at more than $20 billion, where the market is driven by the huge investments in heavy industry and infrastructure.

KBR subsea subsidiary Granherne has committed to funding $50,000 to the University of Houston to assist in the launching of the nation’s first program in subsea engineering. The program will designate four adjunct faculty members as KBR lecturers in subsea engineering for the 2011-2012 academic year to help teach students about the expectations and demands they will face in the coming years.

Parker Hannifin debuted its new range of ATEX approved directly operated hydraulic proportional valves designed for use in Zone 1 areas at Offshore Europe in September. Featuring explosion proof solenoids, the D1FB*EE is available with the option of spool/sleeve design for precision or spool/body design for high nominal flow characteristics and has extremely low levels of hysteresis.

Tyco Valves & Controls has released its large bore triple offset valve. The RMI Dubex butterfly valve features a resilient seat and disc seal. Supported by in-depth test data and calculations, the valve is approved to KIWA, KTW, PED/CE and ATEX standards.

By assembling an A-T Controls WB Series well site block & bleed valve assembly, the need for isolation on well head pressure relief feed, filter skid pressure relief and dryer skid relief feed lines is eliminated.

Taylor Valve Technology has released a new EPD Environmental Protection Device. A whistle is installed in the device to make them produce a shrill noise, or “squeak” to indicate a leak in a relief valve.

For some valve manufacturers it’s a struggle to demonstrate proper check valve operation for compressor and pump station applications especially when valves are operated horizontally.

Valve World announces the launch of two new blogs: Partial Stroking and Counterfeit Valves. These forums have been created to facilitate on-going discussions following the Valve World Americas 2011 show.