Ball valves are extremely practical and effective valve options for quick and easy control of the flow of media through a system. They are a quarter-turn valve, which means they are simple to use, turning the flow on or off through the system, as well as offering some general control of the flow, although this is not their primary use.
The use of a mini ball valve is ideal in smaller types of applications, including with both flexible and rigid pipes, tubes, or conduits. They are durable and long lasting and are designed to provide a long duty cycle for both frequent and infrequent use. These specific types of valves, including the full sized ball valves or the large valves used in industrial applications, can be manually controlled, or they can be automated.
What to Consider
While many of the mini ball valve designs are specific for controlling the flow in a linear pipe or tubing system, they can also be designed as a three-way, four-way or five-way valve that can be used to divert or route the media through different outlet ports based on the specific requirements for the application.
When designing a mini ball valve, thinking about the need for more than one outlet and inlet combination on the valve is essential. This can reduce the need for additional valves and allow for a streamlined system design.
Materials, seals, and even the type of control of the valve also need to be considered based on the specifics of the application.
