FAQ - Gears

What type of gear train does Valvcon use?

Hardened cut steel spur gears.

What other types of gear trains are used by Valvcon competitors?

Helical, planetary, worm and epicyclical.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of spur gears?

Advantage: spur gears are much more efficient than most other gear systems.  This means smaller motors, smaller enclosures, and solid state electronics and less power is consumed.

Disadvantage: Because of high efficiency, spur gears can be back-driven.  This means that a Valvcon actuator used to automate a butterfly valve, resilient seated valve, or damper will probably require an optional holding brake.

What is the material used in Valvcon gears?

Hardened steel.  Some other companies use bronze, brass, plastic gears or powdered metal gears in their power train.  The Valvcon cut steel spur gear power train provides a major advantage over power trains with gears made from other less durable materials.

What is the typical gear ratio in a Valvcon electric actuator gear train?

Gear ratios can range from 2000:1 to 7000:1.  The high gear ratios and resulting mechanical advantage allows Valvcon to use smaller motors, smaller power supplies and scaled, power efficient electronics.