Brass valves are pipeline accessories used to open and close pipelines, control the flow direction, and adjust and control the parameters (temperature, pressure and flow) of the conveying medium. For brass valve industry terminology,  Today we share you 100 technical terms for brass valves you should know.

1. Strength performance

 The strength performance of the brass valve refers to the ability of the brass valve to withstand the pressure of the medium. Brass valves are mechanical products subject to internal pressure, so they must have sufficient strength and rigidity to ensure long-term use without rupture or deformation.

2. Sealing performance

The sealing performance of the brass valve refers to the ability of each sealing part of the brass valve to prevent the leakage of the medium, which is the most important technical performance index of the brass valve.

There are three sealing parts of the brass valve: the contact between the opening and closing parts and the two sealing surfaces of the valve seat; the matching place between the packing and the valve stem and the stuffing box; the connection between the valve body and the bonnet. The leakage in the former one is called internal leakage, which is commonly referred to as lax closure, which will affect the ability of the brass valve to cut off the medium.

For shut-off valves, internal leakage is not allowed. The leakage in the latter two places is called external leakage, that is, the medium leaks from the inside of the valve to the outside of the valve. External leakage will cause material loss, pollute the environment, and even cause accidents in severe cases.

 For flammable, explosive, toxic or radioactive media, leakage is not allowed, so brass valves must have reliable sealing performance.

3. Flowing medium

After the medium flows through the brass valve, there will be a pressure loss (that is, the pressure difference before and after the brass valve), that is, the brass valve has a certain resistance to the flow of the medium, and the medium consumes a certain amount of energy to overcome the resistance of the brass valve. 

Considering energy saving, when designing and manufacturing brass valves, the resistance of brass valves to flowing medium should be reduced as much as possible.

4. Opening and closing force and opening and closing torque

Opening and closing force and opening and closing torque refer to the force or torque that must be exerted by the brass valve to open or close.

When closing the brass valve, it is necessary to form a certain sealing pressure between the opening and closing parts and the two sealing surfaces of the hair seat, and at the same time, it is necessary to overcome the gap between the valve stem and the packing, between the valve stem and the thread of the nut, and the support at the end of the valve stem. Therefore, a certain closing force and closing torque must be applied. During the opening and closing process of the brass valve, the required opening and closing force and opening and closing torque vary, and the maximum value is when the valve is closed. The final moment or the initial moment of opening. The design and manufacture of brass valves should seek to reduce their closing force and closing moment.

5. Opening and closing speed

The opening and closing speed is expressed by the time required for the brass valve to complete an opening or closing action. Generally, there are no strict requirements for the opening and closing speed of brass valves, but some working conditions have special requirements for the opening and closing speed. Some require rapid opening or closing to prevent accidents, and some require slow closing to prevent water hammer. etc., which should be considered when choosing the type of brass valve.

6. Action sensitivity and reliability

This refers to the sensitivity of the brass valve to the change of the medium parameters. For throttle valves, pressure reducing valves, regulating valves and other brass valves used to adjust medium parameters, as well as Brass safety valves, steam traps and other brass valves with specific functions, their functional sensitivity and reliability are very important technical performances index.

7. Service life

It indicates the durability of the brass valve, is an important performance indicator of the brass valve, and has great economic significance. It is usually expressed by the number of times of opening and closing that can ensure the sealing requirements, and it can also be expressed by the use time.

8. Type

Classification of Brass Valves by Use or Main Structural Features

9. Model

Numbering of brass valves according to type, transmission mode, connection form, structural characteristics, material of valve seat sealing surface and nominal pressure.

10. Connection dimensions

 Dimensions of Brass Valves and Pipe Connections

11. Main dimensions (general dimensions)

Brass valve opening and closing heights, handwheel diameters, and connection dimensions, etc.

12. Type of connection

Various methods used to connect brass valves to pipelines or machinery and equipment (such as flange connection, threaded connection, welding connection, etc.).

13. Seal test

A test to check the performance of the opening and closing parts and the valve body sealing pair.

14. Back seal test

A test to check the sealing performance of the valve stem and the bonnet sealing pair.

15. Seal test pressure

The specified pressure for the sealing test of brass valves.

16. Suitable medium

 Brass valve can be applied to the medium.

17. Suitable temperature

 The temperature range of the medium for which the brass valve is suitable.

18. Sealing face

The opening and closing parts are closely fitted with the valve seat (valve body), and act as two contact surfaces for sealing.

19. Opening and closing parts (disc)

A general term for a part used to cut off or regulate the flow of media, such as the gate in the brass brass gate valve, the disc in the throttle valve, etc.

20. Packing

 Packing into a stuffing box (or stuffing box) to prevent leakage of media from the valve stem.

21. Packing seat

The parts that support the packing and keep the packing sealed.

22. Filling gland 

Parts used to compress packing to achieve sealing.

23. Yoke

On the valve cover or valve body, the parts used to support the stem nut and transmission mechanism.

24. Dimensions of connecting channel

Structural dimensions of the assembly connection between the opening and closing parts and the valve stem.

25. Flow area

Refers to the minimum cross-sectional area between the inlet end of the brass valve and the sealing surface of the valve seat (but not the "curtain" area), used to calculate the theoretical displacement without any resistance.

26. Flow diameter

Corresponds to the diameter of the runner area.

27. Flow characteristics

In a stable flow state, when the parameters such as the inlet pressure remain unchanged, the function relationship between the outlet pressure of the pressure reducing valve and the flow rate.

28. Flow characteristics derivation

 In a stable flow state, when the parameters such as the inlet pressure remain unchanged, the change value of the outlet pressure caused by the change of the flow rate of the pressure reducing valve.

29, general brass valve 

Brass valves commonly used on pipelines in various industrial enterprises.

30. Self-acting valve

Brass valves that act on their own by the ability of the medium (liquid, air, steam, etc.) itself.

31. Actuated valve

Brass valves operated by hand, electricity, hydraulic pressure or air pressure.

32. Hammer blow handwheel

 The handwheel structure uses the impact force to reduce the operating force of the brass valve.

33. Worm gear actuator

 A device for opening, closing or adjusting a brass valve with a worm gear mechanism.

34. Pneumatic actuator

The drive device for opening, closing or adjusting the brass valve with air pressure.

35. Hydraulic actuator

Actuator for opening, closing or adjusting brass valves with hydraulic pressure.

36. Hot condensate capacity

 The maximum amount of condensate that can be drained from trap 1 at a given differential pressure and temperature

37. Steam loss

The amount of live steam leaking from the trap per unit time.

1. Brass valve

The whole of mechanical products with movable mechanisms used to control the flow of media in pipelines.

2. Brass gate valve 

 The opening and closing member (gate) is driven by the valve stem and moves up and down along the valve seat (sealing surface).

3. Brass globe valve, Brass stop valve

The open-close type (valve disc) is driven by the valve stem and moves up and down along the axis of the valve seat (sealing surface).

4. Throttle valve

A brass valve that adjusts the flow and pressure by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage through the opening and closing parts (valve disc).

5. Brass all valve

 Open-close (sphere) brass valve that rotates around a curve perpendicular to the passage.

6. Butterfly valve

 Brass valve with opening and closing (butterfly) rotating around a fixed axis.

7. Diaphragm valve

 The opening and closing type (diaphragm) is driven by the valve stem, moves up and down along the axis of the valve stem, and separates the action mechanism from the medium.

8. Plug valve (cock)

Brass valve of the open-close type (plug) that rotates about its axis.

9. brass check valve (brass non-return valve)

The open-close type (valve disc) is a brass valve that automatically prevents the backflow of the medium by the force of the medium.

10. Brass safety valve (Brass safety valve, relief valve)

Open-close type (valve disc) is a brass valve that automatically opens and discharges when the medium pressure in the pipeline or machine equipment exceeds the specified value; when it is lower than the specified value, it automatically closes and protects the pipeline or machine.

11. Pressure reducing valve

Through the throttling of the opening and closing parts (valve disc), the pressure of the medium is reduced, and the pressure behind the valve is automatically maintained within a certain range by the direct action of the pressure behind the valve.

12. Steam trap

Brass valve that automatically drains condensate and stops steam leakage.

13. Brass Draining Valves

Brass valves for blowdown of boilers, pressure vessels and other equipment.

14. Low pressure brass valve (low pressure valve)

 Various brass valves with nominal pressure PN≤1.6MPa.

15. Middle pressure valve

Various brass valves with nominal pressure of PN≥2.0～PN＜10.0MPa.

16. High pressure brass valve (high pressure valve)

Various brass valves with nominal pressure PN≥10.0MPa.

17. Super high pressure valve

Various brass valves with nominal pressure PN≥100.0MPa.

18. High temperature brass valve (high temperature valve)

Various brass valves for medium temperature >450℃.

19. Low temperature brass valve (sub-zero valve)

It is used for various brass valves with medium temperature of -40℃～-100℃.

20. Ultra-low temperature brass valve (cryogenic valve)

Various brass valves for medium temperature <-100℃.

1. Structure length  (face-to-face dimension, face-to-centre dimension)

The distance between the inlet and outlet end faces of a brass valve; or the distance from the inlet end face to the outlet axis.

2. Straight-through brass valve structure length (through way type of valves Face to face dimensions)

The distance between two planes perpendicular to the axis of the brass valve at the end of the valve body passage.

3. Angle brass valve structure length (angle type of valves Face to face, end to end, center to face and center to end dimensions)

The distance between the plane perpendicular to the axis at one end of the valve body passage and the axis of the other end of the valve body.

4. Type of construction

The main features of various types of brass valves in terms of structure and geometry.

5. Through way type

The inlet and outlet axes are coincident or parallel to each other in the form of valve bodies.

6. Angle type

The valve body form with the axes of inlet and outlet perpendicular to each other.

7. DC type (y-globe type, y-type,diaphragm type)

The passage is in a straight line, and the position of the valve stem is in the form of an acute angle with the axis of the passage of the valve body.

8. Three way type

Body version with three passage directions.

9. T-pattern three way

The passage of the plug (or sphere) is a "T" tee.

10. L-pattern three way

The passage of the plug (or sphere) is in the form of an "L" tee.

11. Balance type

A structure in which the axial force on the valve stem is balanced by the medium pressure.

12. Lever type

The structure of lever-driven opening and closing parts is adopted.

13. Normally open type

When there is no external force, the opening and closing parts are automatically in the open position.

14. Normally closed type

When there is no external force, the opening and closing parts are automatically in the closed position.

15. Insulation type (steam jacket type)

Various brass valves with steam heating jacket construction.

16. Bellows seal type

Various brass valves with bellows construction.

17. Full-diameter brass valve (full-opening valve)

All parts of the brass valve have the same inner diameter of the flow channel as the inner diameter of the nominal pipe.

18. Reduced-opening valve

Brass valve with reduced diameter of the flow passage hole in the brass valve.

19. Reduced-bore valve

The diameter of the flow passage hole in the brass valve is reduced, and the flow passage opening of the brass valve closing part is a non-circular brass valve.

20. One-way brass valve (un-directional valve)

Brass valve designed to seal in only one medium flow direction.

21. Bi-directional valve

Brass valve designed to seal in both media flow directions.

22. Double seat two-way brass valve (twin-seat, both seats bi-directional, valve)

Brass valve has two sealing seats, each valve seat can seal the two medium flow directions of the brass valve.

23. Double seat valve with one-way seat and one-way seat (twin-seat, one seat un-directional and one seat bi-directional, valve)

Brass valve with two sealing pairs. When in the closed position, the two sealing pairs can keep the sealing state at the same time. The valve body in the middle cavity (between the two sealing pairs) has a port for releasing the medium pressure. Represents the symbol DB.

24. Back seat, back face

When the brass valve is fully opened, it is a sealing structure that prevents the leakage of the medium from the stuffing box.

25. Pressure seal

The pressure of the medium makes the connection between the valve body and the valve cover realize the structure of automatic sealing.

26. Dimensions of valve stem head

Structural dimensions of the connection between the valve stem and the handwheel, handle or other mechanical assembly.

27. Dimensions of valve stem end

The structural size of the connection part between the valve stem and the opening and closing parts.

28. Dimensions of connecting channel

Structural dimensions of the assembly connection between the opening and closing parts and the valve stem.

29. Type of connection

Various ways (such as flange connection, threaded connection, welded connection, etc.) used to connect brass valves to pipelines or machinery and equipment.

1. Body

Parts that are directly connected to pipes (or machinery and equipment) to form a medium flow channel.

2. Bonnet, cover, cap, lid

It is connected with the valve body and forms the main part of the pressure chamber with the valve body (or through other parts, such as diaphragm, etc.).

3. Opening and closing parts (disc)

A general term for a part used to cut off or regulate the flow of media, such as the gate in the brass brass gate valve, the disc in the throttle valve, etc.

4. Disc (disc)

Opening and closing parts in brass valves such as globe valves, throttle valves, brass brass check valves, etc.

5. Valve seat (bodyseat ring, shoulder seated, bottom seat)

It is installed on the valve body and forms a sealing pair with the opening and closing parts.

6. Sealing face

The opening and closing parts are closely fitted with the valve seat (valve body), and act as two contact surfaces for sealing.

7. Stem

The main part that transmits the opening and closing force to the opening and closing parts.

8. yoke bushing, yoke nut

The part that forms the kinematic pair with the valve stem thread.

9. Stuffing Box

On the valve cover (or valve body), packing is used to prevent the leakage of the medium from the valve stem.

10. Stuffing box

The parts that fill the packing to prevent the leakage of the medium from the valve stem.

11. Packing gland (gland, gland flange, pne-piece glang)

Parts used to compress packing to achieve sealing.

12. Packing

Packed into a stuffing box (or stuffing box) to prevent packing leaking at the double stem of the medium.

13. Packing seat, packing washer

The parts that support the packing and keep the packing sealed.

14. Yoke

On the valve cover or valve body, the parts used to support the stem nut and transmission mechanism.

15. Hit the handwheel

(impact handwheel, hammer blow handwheel impact handwheel, hammer blow handwheel)

The handwheel structure uses the impact force to reduce the operating force of the brass valve.

Here comes to the end of 100 technical terms for brass valves you should know.

NAFCO is one of most specialized brass valve manufacturers in China, with over 20 global service experience. Our products cover brass ball valves, brass gate valves, brass check valves, brass angle valves, brass radiator valves, brass fittings and OEM production, sizes from DN8 to DN100, pressures from PN10 to PN40, which widely used for water, gas, oil and heating systems.

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