Operators simplify access to underground valves
A
Smith Flow Control product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 3, 2003
To enable Thames Water to operate two gate valves located in underground sewage shafts, Smith Flow Control has supplied the company with two Flexi-Drive remote valve operating devices.
To enable Thames Water to operate two gate valves located in underground sewage shafts, Smith Flow Control has supplied the company with two Flexi-Drive remote valve operating devices.
Installed and operated by Subterra, the Flexi-Drive units greatly simplify valve operation and remove the need for a confined space work crew.
The two valves are located between 8 and 10m below ground; one is used regularly to control sewage flow, whereas the other is only used in emergencies to prevent sludge overflows.
"For safety reasons manual operation of the valves was not practical", said Gaiva Lavaly, Subterra's Design Engineer.
"We would have required a confined space work crew every time we needed to operate the valves, which is simply not practical on a day-to-day basis.
We looked around for a viable solution and the Flexi-Drive turned out to be the best option.
Since installation the two units have proved extremely useful", he added.
Each Flexi-Drive system is made up of three elements: an operator station above ground, a valve station actuator below ground, and a unique, patented cable drive system.
Due to the properties of the helically wound steel drive cable, turning the handwheel of the operator station simultaneously operates the valve actuator.
The cable can transmit drive up to 60m away and can accommodate up to 540 degrees of bends.
This allows it to be passed around corners and through tunnels, walls and floors.
A further advantage of the Flexi-Drive is that the gearing system can be 'piggybacked' to enable more than one valve to be operated at a time from a single operator station.
The installation is part of a major refurbishment programme being carried out by Subterra on behalf of Thames Water.
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