Isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry use a special electrical method. The valve coil gets full power for a short time. Then, the voltage and current go down to keep the valve in place. This way, these isolation valves make less heat and use less power when running for a long time. Hit and hold circuitry helps the valve work well and keeps important parts safe from getting too hot. Engineers like this technology for jobs where isolation and steady efficiency are very important.
Key Takeaways
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Isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry use full power for a short time to move the valve. Then, they use less power to keep it open. This saves energy and makes less heat.
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These valves help control liquids or gases safely. They last longer because they do not get too hot. They also use less power when working for a long time.
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Hit and hold technology is used a lot in medical, aerospace, and lab systems. These places need steady and efficient valve control.
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The circuitry lowers heat and power after the valve moves. This helps protect the parts and makes the valve last longer. It also means less maintenance is needed.
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Installation is easy with standard wiring and built-in timers. This makes these valves simple to use in many industries.
Isolation Valves
Function
Isolation valves help control how liquids or gases move in machines. They can block off parts of a system. This lets workers stop or change the flow when needed. Engineers pick isolation valves to keep equipment safe and clean. They also make it easier to fix things without danger. Hit and hold circuitry makes these valves better. It lowers heat and saves power when the valve stays on for a long time. These valves use full power for a short time to move. Then, they switch to less power to hold their spot. This keeps the valve from getting too hot. It also helps the valve last longer and work well in places that are sensitive to heat.
There are different types of isolation valves for different jobs:
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Rocker style isolation valves use a rocker part that moves. They fit in small spaces.
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Diaphragm isolation valves have a PTFE diaphragm. They last a long time and resist strong chemicals.
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Pinch valves squeeze a tube to stop flow. The valve parts do not touch the liquid or gas.
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Rotary movement valves, like ball and butterfly valves, close tightly and are simple to clean.
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Linear movement valves, such as needle valves, let you control flow slowly for gentle tasks.
Engineers pick manual, electric, or pneumatic isolation valves. The choice depends on what the system needs.
Applications
Isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry are used in many fields. They are important where control and saving energy matter. Medical devices, like ventilators and drug pumps, use these valves to give the right amount of fluids. Cell culture systems use them to help with live cell checks and changing liquids. In aerospace, these valves are strong and work well in tough places. They handle high heat and pressure. The mix of smart circuits and special valve design makes these valves key for safety and long life. They are chosen when good performance is needed most.
Hit and Hold Circuitry
Principle
The hit and hold principle uses a smart way to control power in solenoid valves. This method starts with a strong burst of energy to move the valve quickly. After the valve moves, the system lowers the power to just enough to keep the valve in place. This process helps save energy and keeps the valve from getting too hot.
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The solenoid receives full voltage at first. This is called the "hit."
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A capacitor lets full current flow through the coil, making the valve move fast.
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As the capacitor charges, a transistor turns off the bypass path.
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Current then flows through a resistor, which lowers the voltage.
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The resistor and coil work together to create a lower "hold" voltage.
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This lower voltage keeps the valve open but uses less power and makes less heat.
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The hit and hold method helps the valve last longer and work more efficiently.
Note: The hit and hold circuit only gives full power for a short time. After that, it switches to a lower level to hold the valve in place.
Operation
The operation of hit and hold circuitry happens in two main steps. First, the valve gets a strong push to open or close. Then, the system reduces the power to keep the valve in its new position.
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The circuit starts by sending full voltage to the valve coil. This quick action moves the valve right away.
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After the valve moves, the circuit automatically lowers the voltage and current. This step is called the "hold."
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Lowering the power reduces heat in the coil. Less heat means the valve can run longer without problems.
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The system uses less electricity during the hold phase. This saves energy and helps the valve last longer.
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The hit and hold circuit uses a set duty cycle to control temperature. This is very helpful when valves stay on for a long time, such as over five minutes.
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Many engineers choose this method for heat-sensitive jobs. It works well in places where saving power and keeping things cool matter most.
Tip: Using hit and hold circuitry helps valves work better in systems that need steady, long-term operation.
Benefits of Hit and Hold
Power Reduction
Hit and hold circuitry helps save power. It starts with a strong current to move the valve. Then, it quickly changes to a much lower current to keep the valve in place. This means the system does not use high current all the time. It uses less power than older valve systems. In big setups, this can lower power use a lot, especially when many valves work together. For example, some systems drop the hold current to about one-third of the rated voltage after the first move. This saves energy and puts less strain on power supplies. The hit and hold method is great for places where saving power is very important.
Note: Smart ways like hit and hold can cut wasted energy. Sometimes, they save up to 90% more energy than old methods.
Heat Management
Hit and hold circuitry also helps control heat. After the first move, the system lowers the current. This makes less heat in the valve coil and nearby electronics. Less heat means less stress on sensitive parts. This helps stop problems like overheating. Overheating can make parts wear out faster or break. Keeping the temperature steady helps the system work well. It also stops issues like higher resistance or voltage changes in electronic parts. In places that are sensitive to heat, this is even more important. It helps protect the valve and the whole system.
Tip: Making less heat keeps the valve safe. It also helps other parts last longer.
Valve Longevity
Using hit and hold circuitry helps valves last longer. Lower power and less heat both help with this. When a valve stays cool, its inside parts do not wear out as fast. This slows down damage like electromigration and mechanical fatigue. The valve and its electronics last longer and need less fixing. In important systems, like medical or aerospace devices, this is very important. The hit and hold method helps valves work well for a long time. It lowers the chance of sudden failures.
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Valves last longer, so you replace them less.
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The system works better and is more reliable.
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Lower maintenance costs help the whole operation.
Callout: Picking hit and hold circuitry saves energy and keeps systems healthy. It is a smart choice for tough jobs.
Technical Features
Electrical Specs
Isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry need certain electrical settings to work safely and well. These valves use a solenoid coil. The coil first gets a high voltage called the "hit." After that, it gets a lower "hold" voltage. Most systems give the hit voltage for less than one second. Then, the circuit drops the voltage to keep the valve open.
Engineers notice some main electrical features:
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Input Voltage Range: Many valves use 12V, 24V, or 48V DC power.
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Current Draw: The hit phase uses more current. It can be up to three times more than the hold phase.
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Built-in Timer: A timer helps switch from hit to hold. This makes sure the valve gets enough power to move but not too much to get too hot.
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Protection Features: Some circuits have fuses or thermal cutoffs. These stop damage from power surges.
Note: Always check the power supply matches the valve’s voltage and current needs. Wrong settings can hurt the coil or make it work badly.
Performance
Valves with hit and hold circuitry work well in tough places. The hit phase makes the valve move fast. The hold phase keeps the valve steady with less energy and heat.
Some main performance points are:
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Response Time: The valve opens or closes in just milliseconds during the hit phase.
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Continuous Operation: The hold phase lets the valve stay on for a long time without getting too hot.
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Integration: These valves fit into automated systems with simple wiring. The timer and control logic mean you do not need many extra parts.
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Reliability: Less heat and power stress help the valve last longer. This is true even if the system runs all day.
| Feature | Hit Phase | Hold Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | High (full rated) | Reduced (1/3–1/2) |
| Current | High | Low |
| Duration | Short (ms–s) | Long (minutes–hrs) |
Tip: Engineers pick hit and hold valves for jobs that need quick action, low heat, and long-lasting use. These features make them great for medical, lab, and industrial systems.
Isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry have many good points.
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They use less power, so they work well.
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Less heat from the coil keeps systems safe.
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Valves last longer, so you fix them less.
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They can be used in lots of different jobs.
| Challenge Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Voltage Switching | Changing between hit and hold voltages is not always easy. |
| Coil Resistance Accuracy | Wrong resistance numbers can mess up the design. |
| PWM Signal Generation | Fast PWM signals must not make noise or cause current bumps. |
Engineers say these valves stay cooler and work better. Hit and hold circuitry is very important for places that need less heat and power. Using these valves can help your system work well and last longer.
FAQ
What does "hit and hold" mean in valve technology?
"Hit and hold" is a way to move a valve fast. The valve gets high power first to change its position. After it moves, the system gives less power to keep it there. This saves energy and makes less heat.
Why do engineers choose isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry?
Engineers pick these valves to save energy and make them last longer. Less heat helps protect important equipment. These valves are good for medical, lab, and industrial systems.
Can hit and hold circuitry help prevent valve overheating?
Yes. The circuit lowers the current after the valve moves. Less current means less heat is made. This keeps the valve and nearby electronics cooler for a long time.
Tip: Lower heat helps the valve and system last longer.
Are isolation valves with hit and hold circuitry difficult to install?
Most valves with hit and hold circuitry use normal wiring. Built-in timers and control logic make setup easier. Technicians can follow simple steps to install them.
| Feature | Installation Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Standard Wiring | Easy |
| Timer Setup | Simple |
What industries benefit most from this technology?
Medical, aerospace, and lab industries use these valves the most. These jobs need valves that work well, use less power, and stay cool. Hit and hold circuitry helps meet these needs.
Written by Jack Elliott from AIChipLink.
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