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Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

(OP)
Hi All.
I have a question regarding the human maneouvring effort for opening and closing a valve.

I have an specification regarding the maximum permissible tangencial force based on the maximum lever and the handwheel diameter.

The application of this valve is for sea water in a submarine.

The values are as follows.

DN  -  Maximum Lever arm lenght  -  Handwheel diam - Force <20 - 150 mm - <120 mm - 120 Nm
<20 - 150 mm - <150 mm - 250 Nm
<20 - 180 mm - <350 mm - 350 Nm
<30 - 230 mm - >350 mm - 400 Nm

I wonder if there is any standard to check whether the above values are resonable.

Thank you very much for your help

Jaime

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

(OP)
Hi All.
I have a question regarding the human maneouvring effort for opening and closing a valve.

I have an specification regarding the maximum permissible tangencial force based on the maximum lever and the handwheel diameter.

The application of this valve is for sea water in a submarine.

The values are as follows.

DN  -  Maximum Lever arm lenght  -  Handwheel diam - Force

<20 - 150 mm - <120 mm - 120 Nm
<20 - 150 mm - <150 mm - 250 Nm
<20 - 180 mm - <350 mm - 350 Nm
<30 - 230 mm - >350 mm - 400 Nm

I wonder if there is any standard to check whether the above values are resonable.

Thank you very much for your help

Jaime  

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

You could set up a simple bench experiment using a torque wrench and some appropriately sized improvised handwheels.  Having the tactile feel to associate with the numbers will be very helpful to you.

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

MIL-STD-1472 had that sort of thing.

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

This might be more useful: Defence Standard, Human Factors for Designers of Equipment, Part 3, Body Strength and Stamina which contains tables of range of motion and strength

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

YMBFK. I set 110 Nm on my brake rotor w/ a foot long (300 mm) torque wrench and that was a gutbuster. When I set 200 Nm on my main crank bolt, that required 2+ ft (600 mm+)and a he-man yell.

A young man about to die may swing this, but design for more reasonable day-to-day operating forces.

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

Just do the math yourself with the values you have...the force required all come to about 800 N or more (where 800 N~180 lbf).  Unreasonably high operating force in my opinion.  I would say 50 lbf actuating force would be more appropriate.

Those are relatively small handwheels as well, so a person would be able to apply as much force compared to a larger hand wheel, where you could use your body more....with the small ones it's all your arms.

 

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

(OP)
Thank you very much for your help.
It is much appreciated.

Cheers

Jaime
 

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

Personally, I prefer to see the Technicans sweat when they cycle a manual valve closed.  But that is just me.

Else the operator would of specified a BGO and automate the valve cycle, as cheap as they are.

Kenneth J Hueston, PEng
Principal
Sturni-Hueston Engineering Inc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

RE: Human maneouvring effort for closing a valve

(OP)
He, he.
Thanks for the info.

I have found a french standard for the torque:

NF E 29-470

Thank you very much

Jaime

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