Air Piloted Valves: Benefits, Applications and How They Work
Air piloted valves use air pressure to control compressed air, liquids or gas through a pneumatic “piloting” system. Manufacturers prefer these valves because they don’t require additional electrical current or labor to operate. That’s especially useful in dirty, wet applications and volatile environments that present combustion and electrical risks.
What is an Air Piloted Valve?
Air piloted valves operate with pneumatic pressure based on the output from other pneumatic valves. They’re configured as 2 and 3-port types to control pressurized liquids and gases such as water and chemicals. They’re also available in 2-, 3- and 4-way types to control compressed air or vacuum in industrial automation applications.
This type of valve often contributes to simpler, more reliable and cost-effective solutions in media control, as they use smaller or fewer solenoid and manual piloting valves mounted away from the point of use.
Air piloted valves are commonly used in applications where the presence of electricity or manual labor may be hazardous or an air pressure-based operating method is in place. For example, outputs of other solenoid or manual valves can perform their job and also operate air piloted valves simultaneously.
Other Terms for Air Piloted Valves
Some manufacturers and retailers may use different terms for air piloted valves, including:
- Air operated valves
- Remote air pilot valves
- Air operated slave valves
- Air piloted pneumatic valves
- Air piloted process valves
- Air operated pneumatic valves
- Air operated directional control valves
- Pneumatically operated valves
How Do Air Piloted Valves Work?
Air piloted valves use the force of compressed air on a piston or diaphragm as the shifting mechanism into an actuated position. The valve manufacturer specifies a minimum pilot pressure requirement relative to the pressure being controlled.
Humphrey Products offers a variety of industry-standard and specialty function 2-, 3-, and 4-way air piloted valves for industrial pneumatic and low-pressure, mild liquid applications. Our reliable, diaphragm-poppet types are unique to the industry with configurations for vacuum, dirty air, ultra-clean air and mild liquids.
Advantages of Air Piloted Valves
Cost savings: Oftentimes, applications that use smaller, more efficient piloting valves mounted remotely in clusters and piloting larger air pilot operated valves located at their point of use will cost less and will consume less compressed air.
Reliable: Air piloted valves feature simple construction and few parts. They offer a high shifting force and tight sealing.
Safety: These valves are reliable when operating in hazardous or dirty environments.
Amplified high flow capacity: Air piloted valves are an excellent alternative when most flow requirements are satisfied, but a few require amplified high flow.
Disadvantages of Air Piloted Valves
Noise: The piloting airline to operate air piloted valves must vent with each cycle, which may result in unpleasant, noisy operation.
Complexity: This type of valve is better suited to simple applications, such as on-off switches. They may require extra components for unique operations, making for a more complex valve system.
Applications for Air Piloted Valves
Air piloted valves are incredibly versatile. Their uses include, but aren’t limited to:
- Slave valves in simultaneous functions
- Lockout valves in interlocking functions
- Simple alternative when amplified, high flow capacity is required
- A safer alternative in hazardous or difficult environments
- Reliable in poor or unstable compressed air conditions
- Transitioning from lubricated dirty air to clean dry air or alternate media
Common Uses in Industries
Air piloted valves are used in the following industries:
- Manufacturing: These valves can be used to control pneumatic systems that control automated movements as well as manufacturing processes that require pressure and flow control.
- Food and beverage: You can find air piloted valves in conveyor systems and production lines for preparation, packaging and sealing.
- Oil and gas: Air piloted valves are common in remote control and monitoring applications in pipelines, gas regulation and pressure relief systems.
- Pharmaceutical and medical: Surgical instruments, automated testing equipment and other applications that require precision fluid or air control rely on air piloted valves.
- Water treatment: Air piloted valves are used in filtration systems, pumps, tanks and backwash processes.
What Makes Humphrey Products’ Air Piloted Valves Unique?
At Humphrey Products, we founded our air piloted valve product line around our classic diaphragm-poppet series, which boasts a valve construction that won’t stick or leak.
Diaphragm-poppet air piloted valves have no sliding seals to stick and wear with time. The design is also popular when “dirtier” system air needs to be isolated from clean, instrument-quality air or inert gas.
Further, some Humphrey diaphragm-poppet air piloted valves are available in optional brass and stainless steel bodies to withstand alternative gas or liquid media and function in corrosive environments. This results in exceptional performance and reliability with certain alternative media.
Can I Get a Custom Air Piloted Valve from Humphrey?
Your system may require more than what market-variety valves can provide. One of the most frequent customer requests we receive is to tailor air piloted valves to specific requirements. If your system can’t utilize industry-standard air-driven valves, we can help. We specialize in creating custom valve solutions that closely align with your needs without sacrificing performance or durability.
Quality Air Piloted Valves from Humphrey Products
If you’re interested in learning more about our air piloted valves or how you can implement better solutions into your systems, we’re here to help. Contact us for additional information.