Lo-Co Safety Valve, LLC, has developed a safety shut-off valve that can be easily retrofitted or customized to fit any piece of Industrial or Commercial fluid power equipment. The Lo-Co SMART Valve is smart enough to detect the difference between a flow surge during normal equipment operation and a line break. If a line breaks, the SMART Valve shuts-off fluid flow instantly.

"There are tremendous expenses attributed to the lack of full system safety protection in the Fluid Power Equipment Industry," states David Cobus, Vice President of Product Design and Manufacturing for Lo-Co Safety Valve. "For example, the cost of oil replacement, worker's compensation claims, environmental clean-up, fines and the expenses relating to litigation, if someone becomes seriously injured as the result of a line break."

Click the following URL to view Lo-Co Safety Valve's latest press release

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/07/prweb539218.htm

How is the Lo-Co valve function different from a Velocity Fuse or a Hose Break Valve?

Mr. Trinkel,

Thank you for your question in regards to how the function of the Lo-Co SMART Valve differs from that of a "Velocity Fuse" or a "Hose Break Valve." I would be happy to answer your question.

A “Velocity Fuse” is primarily used to offer upstream protection to equipment sub-systems, such as cylinders, as shown in US Patent 4,819,688. "Velocity Fuses" typically offer "upstream" protection because they would be unreliable if placed in the pressure supply line to protect the system from a “downstream” line break. Since most systems use “Open Center” control valves, a "Velocity Fuse" placed in the pressure supply line would be subject to the constant flow surges that occur every time work is performed. Current "Velocity Fuses" would "trip" every time the operator switched the valve out of neutral to lift or lower a load. This would render the system inoperable until the operator could restart the equipment.

A "Hose Break Valve" eliminates uncontrolled movements of the actuator in case of line rupture. When the supply line is ruptured, the valve typically closes when a pre-set flow rate is reached. Like “Velocity Fuses,” Hose break valves can NOT be used in systems where valves are constantly switched. If closing actions occur during normal operation, the setting of the hose break valve is not suitable for the operating parameters of the system. The hose break valve must be replaced by a new one with a modified setting. In order to prevent hose break valves from reacting to flow rate fluctuations inherent in the system, e.g. due to switching of directional valves, the actuating flow rate should be at least 20% above the normal maximum system flow rate. If high viscosity fluctuations occur, the valves must be set to a higher actuating flow rate to ensure trouble-free operation at high viscosity. (Reference: http://www.hydacusa.com/literature/valves/hose_break.pdf

Unlike "Velocity Fuses" and "Hose Break Valves" which are NOT designed to be used in a systems where “Switching valves, repeated closing actions and flow surges" occur. The Lo-Co SMART Valve is designed to act as a primary flow shut-off valve, similar to the “Main Circuit Breaker” of a home. The valve is designed to function in Open Center and Closed Center Control Valve systems, regardless of flow surges, viscosity and temperature changes that are inherent in the system. Additionally, like some valves, The Lo-Co SMART Valve never needs adjustments.

If a flow surge occurs during normal valve switching, the Lo-Co SMART continues to allow fluid to flow through the valve. If a line break occurs, the valve senses the hazard and immediately shuts-off flow so pressurized fluid is not released into the atmosphere. You can download a Dynamic (recommended) PowerPoint Presentation of the Lo-Co SMART Valve at the following URL: http://www.locosafetyvalve.com/download.html.

We are hopeful that a recent article authored by Dr. Medhat Khalil, MSOE, which details the Lo-Co SMART Valve will be selected by the International Journal of Fluid Power for publication in the Fall.

I know that it takes more than a good idea and a great product to change the way the industry thinks about safety. I posted on this forum because I am hoping for some hard questions, honest feedback, helpful suggestions and lots of constructive criticism, from experts in the industry, like your self, who have the knowledge and expertise in fluid power safety.

If you have the time, I would like to arrange a dialogue with Our Company’s President & Founder, Don Loper, who can answer any further questions you may have and give you some greater insight into what We have developed. Please feel free to contact me directly if I can be of any further assistance.

Best Regards,

Jean Kulig
V.P. Marketing & Business Development
Lo-Co Safety Valve, LLC
jkulig@locosafetyvalve.com
630-745-1707

Jean;

I follow the Power Point presentation but it does not show how the Lo-Co valve functions, just says it works in a certain manner. The cutaway also shows no method of operation as far as I can tell.

I was interested in how the valve knows a flow increase has occured from a line break or leak not from other conditions. It could be that information cannot be divulged until the ptent is granted.

I will wait for Dr. Khalil's article in the Intrnational Journal of Fluid Power to see how the valve operates.

Bud,

Thanks for your response. We will be showing the actual design of "How" the valve functions in the upcoming Journal article, which is in the process of being revised by Dr. Khalil for submission. The exact specifics of what will be released in the Journal article are being decided upon at the time of this posting.

However, if you would like to know more specific design information about the Lo-Co SMART Valve, I encourage you to contact Our Company President, Donald M. Loper. You can email him directly via email at dloper@locosafetyvalve.com. or contact him by phone at 1-414-353-7614.

I'm sure he would be thrilled to fill you on the progress we have made. Additionally, there may be an opportunity for you to consult on the project if there is an interest on your part. As a small start-up, we could definately use some of your expertise. Thank you again for your interest and best regards.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jkulig,

Jean;

I have some pressing work for a local plant at present and am not able to put time into another project. I already spend too much time on the forums that should be put on projects.

I look forward to the upcoming article in the Journal.

Good fortune on your endeavors

Bud,

Thanks for your good wishes. I look foward to your comments after the article is published.