Pressure regulation goalposts move again

Hoerbiger-Origa has enhanced its intelligent proportional pressure control valve, Airfit Tecno, with a redesign improving its performance and ensuring reliability in the most arduous application zones

Hoerbiger-Origa has enhanced its intelligent proportional pressure control valve, Airfit Tecno, with a redesign that improves its performance and ensures its reliability in the most arduous application zones.

When the Airfit Tecno range was first introduced, its combination of piezoelectric technology and precision miniature component engineering completely redefined user expectations for speed and precision of air pressure control.

Smaller than a computer mouse, Tecno can handle a flow rate of up to 380 litres/min, providing pilot, main pressure regulator valve and electronic controls in a single package.

At its heart, instead of conventional solenoid technology, is a piezo chip which functions as a continuously operating 3/2 way pilot control valve.

By applying a variable signal of less than 0.25W to a cantilevered piezo element between inlet and outlet, the control airflow may be varied.

The output pressure control signal is then amplified via a diaphragm mechanism to control the main pressure regulating valve.

As of this month, Tecno is supplied with an extruded and anodised aluminium body rather than the original cast construction.

This provides increased rigidity and robustness, eliminates the need for surface coatings and is aesthetically more attractive.

Control air consumption has been reduced by 40% to less than 0.6 Nl/min, which further enhances the quiet operation of the Tecno unit, a major advantage over solenoid-operated valves that are particularly noisy under constant operation.

A reaction time of less than 7ms provides an almost instantaneous response and enables the output control to be cycled at speeds in excess of 40Hz.

Furthermore, the Tecno regulator does not compromise speed for precision, as the output accuracy is also maintained to within 0.2%.

Responsiveness to highly dynamic situations has also been enhanced with the new version, making Tecno the perfect choice for applications in which precise pressure profiles are required.

The small Tecno dimensions and its facility for manifold mounting allow for high density installations, so it is particularly attractive for applications in which space is at a premium.

Its low weight and a power requirement of only 0.4W also makes it well suited for installation into portable devices; and particularly for battery operated applications.

Tecno has already opened up many new application areas for air regulation technology, and the new version should extend its field even further.

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