Inline Check Valves
Check valves, also known as clack valves, one-way valves or non-return valves, are a type of valve used to ensure that fluid flows in one direction only, without any backflow. As a rule, they are two-port valves, having one port in which fluid flows in and one port from which fluid flows out. Their basic configuration includes a valve body, a cover or bonnet and a stopper mechanism, like a disc, ball or piston. Another one of the many types of check valves are inline check valves, which we will be discussing in this article. Inline check valves have application in the wastewater and sewage, medical, plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC), shower and bath and sprinkling industries.
Quick links to Inline Check Valves Information
Advantages of Inline Check Valves
There are many reasons to purchase an inline check valve. For example, they provide strong sealing even at pressures below valve cracking pressure, they quickly interrupt flow, they do not require the assistance of backflow or gravity to begin working and they can work under a wide range of temperature conditions.
Applications of Inline Check Valves
Inline check valves have a variety of applications within the medical world, where it, for example, facilitates the proper functioning of equipment like non-rebreather masks. In this case, inline check valves control the flow of oxygen being fed to a patient. Some other applications of inline check valves include the insurance of safety in plumbing systems and those related to wastewater, stormwater and flood control.
Types of Inline Check Valves
Inline check valves are available in two types: fully guided disc and inline ball check. Fully guided disc inline check valves can provide their services on a vertical plane or a horizontal plane and differ from many check valves by having a spring that lifts upon the application of pressure on its upstream side. This pressure, which opens the valve by overcoming spring tension, is known as cracking pressure. When cracking pressure dips below a certain level, the spring closes again, disallowing backflow. Inline ball check valves function quite the same, except that they also use a ball stopping device.
Design of Inline Check Valves
Inline check valves are usually available in materials including: brass, bronze, copper, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), steel and stainless steel. Commonly available inline valve types include half-inch connection valves, three-quarter inch connection valves, backflow preventer valves, angle valves, ball valves, ball valves with drains, gas ball valves, gate valves, pressure reducing valves, rough-in valves, shower valves, straight valves, union valves, vacuum breaker valves and water pressure valves.
They may also be configured with a variety of different features, such as integral stops for showers, relief breakers, lever handles, handwheels and t-handles. Commonly available inlet thread types include: female threads, male threads, compression threads, dual pattern threads and hose threads. Said inlets are usually available in the following sizes: one quarter of an inch, one half of an inch, one inch, one and a quarter inches and one and a half inches.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Inline Check Valves
Inline check valves are available both online, in stores and for order from check valve manufacturers. Though it may be quicker to buy inline check valves at a hardware store or via a website like Amazon, those searching for the very best inline check valves would do well to consult with a professional manufacturer, such as those listed on this website. IQS Directory boasts a list of superior check valve manufacturers that are positively reviewed, highly skilled and highly experienced.
Those in the market for inline check valves should consider their needs in terms of the following specifics: chemical compatibility of valve materials, end connection options, minimum cracking pressure and the speed at which a valve closes. Customers should also come to valve manufacturers prepared to discuss the following: operating temperature(s), operating environment(s), the media that will flow through the valves, the viscosity of the media that will flow through the valves and flow conditions. If they are properly prepared, inline check valve customers can expect their shopping experience to flow smoothly and their results to be pleasing. To keep their inline check valves in tip-top shape, owners should make sure to learn all about proper installation and maintenance procedures.
Variations of Inline Check Valves
There are many variations on this basic configuration, some of which include ball check valves, water check valves, plastic check valves, PVC check valves, lift check valves, swing check valves and folding disc check valves.