Ball Valves Types and Terms

  • Ball Check Valves are valves where liquids can flow only one way. The pressure from the liquid forces the ball to move, when the pressure from the fluid stops the ball also stops and the valve closes.
  • Ball valve manufacturers make various kinds of ball valves.
  • High pressure ball valves can handle small and large flows with high pressure ratings.
  • Plug Valves are quarter-turn valves which utilize a cylindrical or tapered plug with a hole in the middle to control flow.
  • PVC ball valves are made of a polymer of vinyl chloride.
  • Stainless steel ball valves are made of stainless steel.
  • Swing Check Valves use outside levers to slow down the flow of materials through a pipe. The lever pulls the ball into the flow which causes the flow to stop more quickly.
  • Three Way Ball Valves have three different ports. Some three way valves have all ports open while others may all be closed or only have one open.
  • Two Way Valves have an inlet pipe connection and an outlet pipe connection.

Actuator - Used to operate the ball valve. The actuator is often used to control the flow of materials.

Ball - The closure portion of the valve that restricts or controls the fluid or gas flow.

Butterfly Valve (http://www.butterfly-valves.org) - A valve that utilizes a circular disc or vane in order to control flow by turning the valve's pivot axis at 90¼ angles to the pipe's flow direction.

Flange - A projecting rim or edge used to strengthen or attach one object to another.

Full Bore Value - The diameter of ball inside the valve equals the diameter of the pipe. This is also called full port.
 
Globe Valve - A globular shaped valve whose internal moving parts consist of the disk, the valve stem and the handwheel.
 
Poppet Valve - A valve that moves up to or from its seat perpendicularly. This valve generally provides more flow than a ball valve.
 
Port - Flow path.
 
Pressure Control Valve - A valve that controls the amount of pressure. Typically the valve will shut when a pre-determined pressure is reached.
 
Pressure Relief Valve - A valve that releases pressure if needed. This valve is self-operating.
 
PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) - A unit of pressure; equivalent to the metric unit of Kilonewtons per square centimeter.
 
Reduced Bore Value - The ball inside the valve has a hole smaller than the opening in the pipe, allowing for better control. This is also called standard bore or port.
 
Relief Valve - A valve that when open allows for the release of excess pressure or temperature.
 
Slurry - A mixture of liquid, typically water, and solid materials to create a material similar in consistency to mud or plaster of Paris.
 
Trunnion - Upper and lower supports used to keep the ball under pressure.
 
Valve Seat - A stationary part of the valve which restricts fluid or gas flow when it comes in contact with the movable portion of the valve.