MOOG LAUNCHES DIGITAL INTERFACE VALVES CERTIFIED FOR USE IN EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Böblingen, 11 April, 2011 – Motion control expert Moog is using the Hannover Messe as the occasion to display a complete range of Digital Interface Valves for use in a wide range of explosive environments. The ATEX certified range comprises all servo and proportional control valves from ISO4401 size 03 to size 10, including options for both flow and pressure control. The Axis Control Valve (ACV) versions of these valves, which include on-board servo control electronics, are also available in the ATEX approved version.

Moog’s new ATEX Digital Interface Valves (DIVs) are certified to explosive environments according to ATEX II 2 G Ex d e IIC TX Gb, for temperature classes T3 up to T6. They are intended for a wide range of applications that include oil and gas exploration, gas turbines, power generation, wood processing, various types of press, and maritime equipment.

The ATEX DIVs are equipped with connectors that are approved to be connected and disconnected in an explosive environment. This ‘hot plugable’ feature allows users to work with ‘live’ electronics in an explosive environment reducing the down time for installation and maintenance.

Moog has been making DIVs since 2000, and they are already used in numerous harsh environments. They are highly versatile: control parameters may be downloaded using the fieldbus or a high level PLC program, so the valve control function can be tuned during the machine operating cycle. They are also very safe: in the event of an electrical supply failure, a cable break, or the activation of an emergency stop, the spool will return to a predefined position.

Control and drive electronics on Moog DIVs are completely integrated within the valve. These electronics incorporate a microprocessor-based system executing all key functions via embedded software. The valve can therefore adapt to a wide range of operating conditions, while maintaining high accuracy and repeatability. The built-in fieldbus interface (e.g. CANopen®, Profibus-DP® or EtherCAT®) enables operating parameters to be adjusted, commands the valve and monitors its performance. Users can communicate with the valve over private networks from anywhere in the world.

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