PNEUMATIC SLIDE GATES AND VALVES

In-line flow-direction controllers and automation-integrated flap systems

Highly stable flow-control elements for determining the flow direction of dust, granules and bulk raw materials or for fully cutting off/starting the flow — both on the mechanical conveying lines and in the aerodynamic pipelines of flour, semolina, feed and pulse mills. Fully compatible with the instantaneous-signalling infrastructure of fully automated modern industrial plants (PLC/SCADA), they guarantee the unmanned, fast and error-free management of raw-material transfer processes.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

Central control and pneumatic activation — automation-signal reception: the flow-routing commands arriving from the plant’s main automation system (PLC) are transmitted to the pneumatic cylinders on the flap or slide gate; the compressed air routed through the pneumatic valves drives the mechanical gate or the inner flap tongue. Mechanical-conveying and dust-pipework regulation — in-line linear/angular routing: depending on the system structure, the routing occurs in two kinematic regimes — the pneumatic slide gates working linearly on the bases of chain conveyors and screw conveyors enable the product to be shed to the lower lines, while the pneumatic flaps in the aspirator, fan and air-pipe pipework route the high-speed air-dust stream to the target line within seconds. Full closure and stable flow continuity — sealed locking and discharge: as the pneumatic cylinder reaches its stroke end, the flap tongue or gate blade seats sealed in its socket; the cut-off line is fully blocked, while in the open direction the raw-material or air mass is conveyed uninterruptedly without leakage or pressure loss.

KEY ADVANTAGES

- Heavy-duty pneumatic slide gates for mechanical conveying: Widely preferred at the discharge throats of chain conveyors and the intermediate discharge points of screw conveyors; by means of the under-body bearing mechanisms, they keep their linear-movement capability without jamming even under raw-material load.

- Aerodynamic pneumatic flaps for air and dust pipework: Used reliably on pneumatic conveying lines, aspirator suction pipework, industrial fan pipes and any flow line in cylindrical pipelines; the aerodynamic design of the inner flap tongue creates no parasitic turbulence or back-pressure (static resistance) in high-speed air flows.

- 100% synchronisation with modern automation systems: Able to be fitted with limit switches and smart positioners, the flaps and gates provide real-time position feedback in high-tech automated plants and reduce human-caused mixing errors on flow lines to zero.

- Family model range for every task: To suit the mounting angle in the plant diagram, the pipe diameter, the conveyor width and the raw material’s abrasiveness index, a variety of industrial types are available: pneumatic/manual/motorised slide-gate flap (DKFM, DKFD-P, DMSK-M), pneumatic/manual/cast pipe flap (DKFO-P, DKFO-M, DALK), round and square manual/pneumatic guide flap (DKYV, DKYV-P, DKYF, DKYF-P), bifurcated (two-way) Y-flap manual/actuator/aluminium (DMCK, DXAK, DMCK-AL), star and star pipe flap (DMYK-Y, DMYK-B1), pneumatic and multi-blade fan flap (DKFB-P, DKFK), plus three-way, symmetric and asymmetric builds.

ENGINEERING NOTE

Flaps and pneumatic slide gates are the most dynamic “traffic controllers” drawing the flow routes of industrial milling automation. The flaps’ stable change of direction within milliseconds on pneumatic-conveying or aspiration lines lets the fans work in a stable pressure regime and prevents blockages. The rigid chassis designs and the optional AISI 304/316 stainless-steel gate alternatives fully remove the corrosion-related mechanical-jamming risks on abrasive-bran or moist-tempered-wheat lines, keeping the plant’s logistic flow safety at its maximum.