Kinetrol has enjoyed a long and prosperous reputation as the originator of the pneumatic vane-style actuator. The information below is offered to show how and why Kinetrol continues to be the leader in vane-style actuation technology.  Please enjoy this list of verifiable facts about Kinetrol. Our hope is that you use this list as a benchmark to measure all other competitive actuators in the market.

Kinetrol was established in 1958, and has been selling products in the USA for over 25 years.

Millions of Kinetrol units have been installed world-wide with proven reliability in a wide range of applications and environments.

 

Kinetrol's quality control system has been approved to I.S.O. 9001:2000 and AS/EN 9100 (a Global aerospace standard), and by B.S.I. (Certificate No. FM22163). The vast majority of the manufacturing takes place in-house, with very little dependence on outside suppliers. Copies of these certificates are available on request.

 

Kinetrol does 100% testing with unique serial numbering and full traceability on every actuator. A flow meter is connected to each actuator. The actuator is then stroke tested while submerged in a water and glycol solution to assure there are no case, shaft or vane seal leaks.

 

Kinetrol currently manufactures fifteen (15) double-acting models with torque output ranging from 8 to 168,000 pound-inches using 100 psig of pressure.  

 

Kinetrol currently manufactures thirty-one (31) spring fail-safe models with torque output ranging from 16 to 72,428 pound-inches. All spring units have a lifetime guarantee.

 

Kinetrol actuators are warranted up to 4 million operations (2 million complete cycles). Kinetrol can provide maintenance free case histories that far exceed 4 million operations.

 

Kinetrol uses a one piece cast stainless steel vane in our small actuators (sizes up to and including the 5).  All larger actuators use a zinc-plated ductile iron vane and shaft.  Kinetrol discovered years ago that zinc plated ductile iron is a superior material for the vane and shaft because ductile iron is inherently more corrosion resistant in most common air system atmospheres compared to carbon steel or aluminum, and zinc plating is less prone to flaking or chipping than other plating materials.              

 

Eleven (11) models (to 12,000 pound-inches of torque output) are pressure die cast in Titanium stabilized zinc alloy (ILZRO 16).  All ILZRO 16 housings are internally and externally coated with baked epoxy. ILZRO 16 provides excellent as-cast accuracy and dimensional stability, eliminating the need for any subsequent machining of the internal cavity.  ILZRO 16 is also non-sparking and is therefore uniquely approved by Baseefa (Certificate NO. 03ATEX0443X) to category 1 for use in Zone 0 explosive atmospheres. ILZRO 16 provides superior corrosion resistance in saline, caustic, and many acidic environments when compared to Aluminum alloys.

 

The remaining five (5) larger models (to 168,000 pound-inches of torque output) are sand cast Aluminum that conforms to B.S. LM25, S.A.E. 323 and A.S.T.M. 356.1 specifications. All Aluminum housings are internally coated with Zylon and externally coated with baked epoxy.

 

Eleven (11) models (to 12,000 pound-inches of torque output) are manufactured with glass reinforced nylon side plates that reduce actuator dead volumes by up to 50%, saving on air/energy consumption, and increase operating speeds. Nylon side plates also provide superior end of stroke shock absorption. Kinetrol nylon side plates are proven to last in some of the worlds toughest applications while providing significantly lower air consumption than other vane or cylinder actuators.

 

The remaining five (5) larger models (to 168,000 pound-inches of torque output) have carbon steel side plates with a baked epoxy coating.

 

The maximum recommended working pressure is 100 psig, while the recommended overload working pressure is 150 psig maximum.  Through extensive testing, along with 50 years of real world experience Kinetrol has determined that running our actuators at 100 psig maximizes their already incredibly long life. Plant air pressures above 100 psig are rare, but when encountered increase over all wear and tear on any actuator thus shortening the effective service life. Hence the 100 psig maximum recommended working pressure.   Kinetrol does not publish a yield or ultimate burst pressure, however, all Kinetrol actuator sizes have been successfully tested to over 450 psig. Safety is not a concern when Kinetrol actuators are exposed to pressures up to 150 psig, or even 225 psig, since every Kinetrol actuator size has been safety tested to 450 psig (three times the published "overload pressure") without case failure.

 

Kinetrol designs and manufactures a full range of direct mount accessories that do not require additional brackets, tubing and fittings. In addition, NAMUR VDI/VDE 3845 compliant devices that do require brackets, tubing and fittings are easily adapted to Kinetrol actuators. However, because many Kinetrol accessories direct mount and do not require additional brackets, tubing and fittings, the customer realizes a cost savings, and a dimensionally smaller assembly, when compared to bracket mounting NAMUR VDI/VDE 3845 compliant devices.

 

 AWWA Compliance

All Kinetrol models are fully compliant with ANSI/AWWA C540-02. The AWWA C540 standard for power actuating devices was amended in 2002 to include vane actuators. Letters of compliance from prominent AWWA officials can be provided on request.