Compressed Air Safety Accumulator
Reliable Operation under All Conditions
VAT compressed air safety accumulators offer safety in the event of compressed air failure, either for emergency opening or closing of a valve.
Depending on the vacuum valve design, some valves already have mechanical safety systems. Single-acting pneumatic actuators, such as angle valves, for example, have a tension spring that triggers a predefined emergency movement (normally open or closed) in the event of compressed air failure. This cannot usually be easily changed, as this function is defined by the design of the valve. Double-acting pneumatic actuators and pneumatic 3-position actuators, on the other hand, have the option of changing emergency positions depending on the operating conditions, but in many cases this flexibility is not supported mechanically.
This is where the compressed air safety accumulator comes into play. It guarantees an emergency movement of the valve to either a closed or open position in the event of a compressed air failure.
The compressed air accumulator consists of a small compressed air tank with sufficient pressure volume to move the valve to the defined emergency position in the event of a compressed air failure.
This defined emergency position can be easily changed without having to modify the valve.
The compressed air safety reservoir is permanently integrated into the compressed air system. In the event of a pressure failure, an emergency valve separates the connection and uses the tank volume to move the valve to the defined emergency position. When the pressure returns, the valve is fully operational again without manual intervention. The tank volume used for the emergency movement is automatically refilled from the system pressure and is then ready for use again for pressure failures.
When the accumulator is installed, the total volume of the valve housing increases only slightly due to the compact design of the accumulator. It can therefore be installed in almost the same places where valves without accumulators were previously installed. However, it is also possible to install the compressed air reservoir separately from the valve if there is not enough space.
The compressed air accumulator mounted directly on the valve has no additional installation requirements. There are also no additional maintenance requirements beyond the maintenance scope and cycle of the standard valve.
The use of VAT compressed air safety accumulators is advisable in all system areas where high demands are placed on process safety and reliability.