Quick Exhaust Valves: Types and Features
Quick exhaust valves are used most often to achieve greater speed control of air cylinders in pneumatic systems. They’re durable, reliable and easy to use, making them a versatile solution for applications in various industries.
What is a Quick Exhaust Valve?
It’s a pneumatic valve designed to release compressed air in a controlled environment. Quick exhaust valves are widely known for their responsiveness and longevity in high-pressure pneumatic automation systems.
Quick exhaust valves are typically positioned at or near air cylinders and downstream of their corresponding control valves. Compressed air from the control valve moves through the quick exhaust and to the cylinder, extending or retracting the piston rod. When the control valve shifts and begins to exhaust, the quick exhaust valve senses the upstream pressure drop and shifts instantaneously, opening a very large exhausting flow path near the air cylinder. This convenient flow path creates opportunities for the designer to control the air cylinder cycling speed, achieving greater speeds or improved control at desired slower speeds.
Quick Exhaust Valve Features
A primary benefit of the quick exhaust valve is its simplicity. This three-port valve is easy to install and maintains functional integrity in difficult environments and high-pressure applications.
The straightforward design is simple, with few parts, and reliable. Maintenance is fast, uncomplicated.
Quick exhaust valves provide a quick path for air to escape the system, helping to reduce the wear and tear on the control valve and air cylinder.
Other features include:
- Extremely high flow capacity
- Simple design … body, cap and molded rubber shuttle
- High-speed cycling
- Direct inline mounting
When to Use a Quick Exhaust Valve
They’re ideal for pneumatic systems that need air cylinder consistency. Quick exhausts valves excel in applications that demand fast responses, precision pressure control and efficiency.
Consider using quick exhaust valves if your job requires:
- Rapid air cylinder extension and/or retraction: Quick exhaust valves provide a greater exhaust capacity at the cylinder port, which is ideal for double-actuating pneumatic cylinders.
- Controlled Cylinder Piston Rod Travel: Restrict flow at exhaust port of the Quick Exhaust Valve and achieve a smooth, controlled piston rod movement.
- Extend Air Cylinder Life: By short-circuiting the exhaust of the cylinder port, lubricated air from the control valve can migrate toward the cylinder with each cycle, extending life of the piston and rod seals.
- Reduce directional control cost: In some applications where the control valve is remote, it is possible to use a smaller, more cost-effective control valve, by using quick exhaust valves with air cylinders.
Common Uses for Quick Exhaust Valves
Quick exhaust valves are commonly used in:
- Manufacturing equipment
- Emergency stop systems
- Pneumatic tools and machinery
- Injection and ejection systems
- Robotic automation
Quick Exhaust Valves from Humphrey Products
TAC Miniature Quick Exhaust Valve
Humphrey offers a miniature Quick Exhaust Valve from their TAC product offering.
10-32 UNF ported, its specifications include:
- Media: Air or inert gas
- Number of ports: 3
- Operation: Pressurized differential
- Flow coefficient:13 Cv
- Pressure range: 3-125 psi
Humphrey “Super Quick Exhaust Valves”
Humphrey’s Super Quick Exhaust Valves are renowned for their rugged construction and durability, outperforming competitive “sheet stock” diaphragm types. This complete offering of six sizes provide versatility and consistency in a variety of operations.
Offered in six pipe sizes from 1/8 NPT through 3/4 NPT, specifications include:
- Media: Air or inert gas
- Exhaust Capacity (at 100psi): 63 ~ 395 SCFM
- Pressure range: 1-150 psi
Helping you find an innovative solution to suit your unique application is our priority. Humphrey’s expert sales representatives will work with you to determine your project specifications and recommend the right valve to get the job done. Contact us to learn more about our quick exhaust valve products and get a quote.
