Acetal plastic

Tough, stable engineering thermoplastic with a high modulus of elasticity, high strength, good rigidity, dimensional stability, resistance to moisture, solvents, and other chemicals.

Active  devise

A device that has an input (s) which controls the power supply to the device.

Actuator

An integral part of a device that transmits force causing the device to act in the intended manner.

Air motor

A device which converts pneumatic fluid air into mechanical torque and motion. It usually provides rotary mechanical motion.

Air, compressed (pressure)

Air at any pressure greater than atmospheric.

Air, dried

Air with moisture content lower than the maximum allowable for a given application.

Air, free

Air at ambient temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and density.

Air, saturated

Air at 100% relative humidity, with a dew point equal to temperature.

Air, standard

Air at a temperature of 68.8° F, a pressure of 14.70 pounds per square inch absolute, and a relative humidity of 36% (0.0750 pounds per cubic foot). In gas industries the temperature of “standard air” is usually given as 60.8° F.

Air

(see fluid) a gas mixture consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and small quantities of neon, helium and other gases.

AND Device

A control device which has it’s output in the logical 1 state if and only if all the controls signals assume the logical 1 state.

Boyle’s Law

The absolute pressure of a mixed mass of gas varies inversely as the volume, provided the temperature remains constant.

Break-Out

Force necessary to inaugurate sliding. Expressed in same terms as friction. n excessive break –out valve indicates the development of adhesion.

Charles’ Law

The volume of a fixed mass of gas varies directly with absolute temperature, provided the pressure remains constant.

Circuit, metered-in

A speed control circuit in which the control is achieved by regulating the supply flow from the actuator.

Circuit, metered-out

A speed control circuit in which the control is achieved by regulating the exhaust flow from the actuator.

Circuit, sequence

A circuit which established the order in which two or more phases of a circuit occur.

Compression set

The amount by which a rubber specimen fails to return to original shape after release of the compression load.

Compressor

A device which converts mechanical force and motion into pneumatic fluid power.

Condensation

The process of changing a vapor into a liquid condensate by the extraction of heat.

Conductor

A component whose primary function is to contain and direct fluid.

Contaminant

Any material of substance which is unwanted or adversely affects the fluid power systems or components, or both.

Creep

The progressive relaxation of a given rubber material while it is under stress.  This relaxation eventually results in permanent deformation or “set”.

Cushion

A device which provides controlled resistance to motion.

Cv

Flow coefficient or pneumatic conductance expresses the flow capability of any fixed orifice pneumatic device for a given fluid.

Cylinder cap

A cylinder end closure which completely covers the bore area.

Cylinder capacity, extending

Volume required for one full extension of a cylinder.

Cylinder, double acting

A cylinder in which fluid force can be applied to the movable element in either direction.

Cylinder, single acting

A cylinder in which fluid force can be applied to the movable element in one direction.

Cylinder

A device which converts fluid power into linear mechanical force and motion. It usually consists of a moveable element such as a piston and a piston rod, plunger or ram, operating with in a cylindrical bore.

Detented (maintained)

The design intention of a device to maintain the state of its last actuation after the operator force is removed.

Diverter (valve)

A device whose power source at one input port is diverted to one of two or more output ports.

Durometer

1. An instrument for measuring the hardness of rubber. Measure the resistance to the penetration of an indentor point into the surface of the rubber.  2. Numerical scale of rubber hardness.

Filter

1. A device whose primary function is the removal by porous media of insoluble contaminants from a liquid or gas.  2.  Chemically inert, finely divided material added to the elastomer to aid in process and improve physical properties.

Flip flop

A digital component or circuit with two stable states and sufficient hysteresis so that it has “memory”.  Its state is changed with a control pulse; a continuous control signal is not necessary for it to remain in a given state.

Flow rate

The volume, mass or weight of a fluid passing through any conductor per unit of time.

Fluid

A substance which tends to conform to the outline of its container and capable of flowing as a liquid or gas.

Fluid logic

A branch of fluid power associated with digital signal sensing and information processing, using components with or without moving parts.

Fluid power

Energy transmitted and controlled through use of a pressurized fluid.

Fluid, pneumatic

A fluid suitable for use in a pneumatic system, usually air.

Gauge, damper

(snubber)  A device employing a fixed or variable restrictor inserted in the pipeline to a pressure gauge to prevent damage to the gauge mechanism caused by rapid fluctuations of fluid pressure.

Gauge, pressure

A gauge which indicates the pressure in the system to which it is connected.

Inhibitor

Any substance which when present in very small proportion slows, prevents or modifies chemical reactions such as corrosion or oxidation.

Lubricator

A device which adds controlled or metered amounts of lubricants into a fluid power system.

Manifold

A conductor which provides multiple connection ports.

Maximum inlet pressure

The maximum rated gauge pressure applied to the inlet port of the regulator.

Memory

Tendency of a material to return to original shape after deformation.

Momentary

The design intention of a device to return to the normal

un-actuated state after the operator force is removed.

Muffler

A device for reducing gas flow noise. Noise is decreased by back pressure control of gas expansion

Non-threaded

A term applied to exhaust ports without internal threads to prevent connection.

NOR Device

A control device which has its input in the logical 1 state if and only if all the control signals assume the logical 0 state.

Normally closed (electrical)

The state of the output or switch is ON (passing current) with no external influence.

Normally open

(electrical)

The state of the output or switch is OFF (not passing current) with no external influence.

Normally closed

(fluid power)

Often referred to as normally not passing. The state of the output or valve is OFF with no external influence.

Normally open

(fluid power)

Often referred to as normally passing. The state of the output or valve is ON with no external influence

NOT Device

A control device that has its output in the logical 1 state if and only if the control signals assume the logical 0 state. The NOT device is a single input NOR device.

OR Device

A control device A control device that has its output in the logical 0 state if and only if the control signals assume the logical 0 state.

Operator

A device that attaches to another assembly and applies force to the actuator of that assembly allowing it to act in the intended manner.

Packing

A sealing device consisting of bulk deformable material of one or more mating deformable elements, reshaped by manually adjustable compression to obtain and maintain effectiveness. It usually uses axial compression to obtain radial sealing.

Pascal’s Law

A pressure applied to a confined fluid at rest is transmitted with equal intensity throughout the fluid.

Passive Device

A device that does not have a dedicated supply source and operates solely on the input(s) alone.

Permanent Test

The deformation remaining after a specimen has been stressed in tension for a definite period and released for a defined period.

Pneumatics

Engineering science pertaining to gaseous pressure and flow.

Poppet

A component of a value that seals or opens an internal passage across its full area to allow or prevent flow.

Port

A terminus of a passage in a component to which conductors can be connected.

Pressure

Force per unit area, usually expressed in pounds per square inch. (bar).

Pressure, absolute

The pressure above zero, i.e.; the sum of atmospheric and gauge pressure. In vacuum related work it is usually expressed in millimeters of mercury. (mm-Hg)

Pressure, atmospheric

Pressure exerted by the atmosphere at any specific location. (Sea level pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute.

1 bar = 14.7 psi)

Pressure, back

The pressure encountered on the return side of a system.

Pressure, break loose/breakout

The minimum pressure which initiates movement.

Pressure, burst

The pressure which causes failure of and consequential loss of fluid through the product envelope.

Pressure, cracking

The pressure at which a pressure operated valve begins to pass fluid.

Pressure, differential

(pressure drop)

The difference in pressure between any two points of a system or a component.

Pressure, proof

The non-destructive test pressure, in excess of the maximum rated operating pressure, which causes non permanent deformation, excessive external leakage, or other resulting malfunction.

Pressure, rated

The qualified operating pressure which is recommended for a component or system by the manufacturer.

Quick disconnect coupling

A component which can quickly join or separate a fluid line without the use of tools or special devices.

Ring, O

A ring that has a round cross section.

Seal, cup

A sealing device with a radial base integral with an axial cylindrical projection at its out diameter.

Seal, dynamic

 A sealing device used between parts that have relative motion.

Seal, elastomer

A material having rubber-like properties. i.e. having the capacity for large deformation and rapid, substantially complete, recovery on release from the deforming force. 

Selector (Valve)

A device which selects from separate power sources at two input ports and directs  the selected sources to a single output port.

Silencer

A device for reducing gas flow noise. Noise is decreased by tuned resonant control of gas expansion.

Squeeze

Cross section diametral compression of O–ring between surface of the groove bottom and surface of the other mating metal part in the gland assembly.

Stroke Ratio

Each push-button valve selected has a given actuation stroke and force. The Thumb and Cam Operators will provide an increased stroke and decreased force in the ratios noted while providing a correct ergonomic or machine interface for various system applications.

Vacuum

Pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure measured in inches of mercury (Hg”)

Valve

A device which controls fluid flow direction, pressure or flow rate.

Valve, Air

A valve for controlling air.

Valve, directional control

A valve whose primary function is to direct or prevent flow through selected passages.

Valve, directional,

3-way

A valve whose primary function is to pressurize and exhaust a port.

Valve, directional,

4-way

A valve whose primary function is to pressurize and exhaust two ports.

Valve , flow control

(flow metering)

A valve whose primary function is to control flow rate.

Valve, needle

A flow control valve in which the adjustable control element is a tapered needle.  Its usual purpose is the bidirectional control of flow.

Valve, pilot operate

(indirect)

A valve in which a relatively small flow through an integral flowpath (pilot) controls the movement of the main elements.

Valve, Pilot

A valve applied to operate another valve or control.