An Optimised Design for Valve Actuators
The Camtorc series actuator is a mathematically derived cam system first manufactured in 1975. It has been in continuous production since, gaining a base in industries all over the world. Imtex Controls acquired all rights to the design in 2006 and integrated it into a modular assembly that is particularly suited to space-sensitive or remote/inaccessible locations.
The unique Camtorc design has many advantages over other actuator systems, and it is important for end users and buyers to be aware of these differences. This case study will explain the advantages of Camtorc, outline the modular components, compare Camtorc to other actuator systems, and also demonstrate how fail-safe valves, or applications where Maximum Allowable Stem Torque (MAST) is a concern, will benefit from improved torque-efficiency and a reduced risk of valve failure. Finally, there is discussion of how Camtorc can prevent spurious trips and false alarms on assemblies where valve testing, especially Partial Stroke Testing (PST), is in use.
Advantages of the Camtorc Actuator
The Camtorc actuator is a linear to rotary motion convertor primarily used for the pneumatic or hydraulic actuation of quarter-turn pipeline valves and dampers. Consequently, the design has seen a big uptake in the oil/gas, marine and power generation industries.
What really sets this design apart is the mathematical profile of the cam which ensures a constant output torque during the piston stroke. This eliminates backlash. The combination of zero backlash and constant output torque means there are fewer moving parts – reducing possible causes to fail, which contributes to a longer service life and lower maintenance costs.
Additionally, this optimised system also avoids two more, related problems. Firstly, the constant torque negates large side-forces which require additional infrastructure within the housing. This in turn avoids the problem of side-loads, which require more complex assemblies. As a result, Camtorc actuators are more compact and generally have lower installation costs.
The Camtorc Actuator Outperforms Other Systems
Compared to other actuator systems, such as the scotch yoke design, Camtorc offers substantial advantages. The scotch yoke actuator employs a piston that moves a yoke via a sliding pin. It is easiest to think of Camtorc as an optimised version of this design, clamping the yoke apparatus (attached to the pistons) around the cam so they remain in contact along a frictionless surface.
Performance differences between the two actuator designs are summarised in the below table:
Other Valves that Benefit from a Camtorc Actuator
Camtorc offers significant safety benefits for certain types of applications listed below:
- Modulating Valves: zero-backlash and high run torques make Camtorc very suitable to modulating valves.
- High Cycling Valves: The simple mechanism and lack of side-forces means Camtorc is not prone to excessive wear and will run for extended periods on high cycling valves. Camtorc has been tested in excess of 1 million operations (Third Party verified to 0.5 million operations by CEGB in the UK).
- Remote Valves: The lack of side-forces increases the intervals between service maintenance making Camtorc particularly suited to remote and inaccessible valves.
- Space Sensitive Applications: The compact design makes Camtorc the obvious choice where space is a limiting factor (on Offshore rigs for example).
- Valves Required to Fail-Open: Extra torque generated on the spring stroke allows for smaller Camtorc models to be fitted on fail-open valves. Typically, Camtorc actuators fitted to fail-open valves are a third smaller than the equivalent scotch yoke.
Valves Fitted with Testing Apparatus (i.e. Partial Stroke Test)
On safety critical valves (i.e. ESDVs) it is increasingly common to carry out some form of valve assembly testing, such as Partial Stroke Testing (PST). The advantages for plants and rigs are that critical valves are tested for integrity without the cost burden of shutting off the valve.
There are two distinct advantages to the Camtorc design when it comes to PST:
- In the dual piston-design of the Spring Module less air needs to leave the actuator to start the piston moving, and a much larger pressure drop is required to complete the stroke. This significantly decreases the risk of over-travel (spurious trips).
- To prevent over-travel a maximum pressure drop is often set, but on a scotch valve actuator this is usually very close to the pressure required to start moving the valve. Therefore, if the valve sticks a little (which often happens when a valve has been inactive) the test might fail erroneously: since a slightly lower pressure would cause the valve to move. With Camtorc, the larger pressure differential on the spring stroke allows for much more control of the PST system, and the maximum permissible pressure drop is far less likely to abort the test.
False fails and spurious trips are costly and risky on a plant or oil rig where they might lead to a partial or complete shutdown of operations.
Summary
For the buyer, all of the design benefits of the Camtorc actuator system result in a significantly reduced Whole Life Cost (Whole Life Cost is the projected cost of an asset over its entire life).
Overall, companies that choose Camtorc benefit from:
- Lower installation costs
- Lower maintenance costs
- Improved safety (and reassurance where MAST is a design criteria)
- A longer service life (particularly important in aggressive environments)
- Significantly lower risk of both spurious trips and false-fails during PST
- Reduced Whole Life Cost
The Camtorc series is available for pneumatic and hydraulic applications in either double acting or spring return configurations with a full range of modular control accessories. Please contact Imtex Controls on +44 (0)8700 340 002 or email [email protected] for more information.
