SpudFiles

I have 2 questions.
1: How effective are butterfly valves?
2: Would it be possible to build one myself?

I know butterfly valves are used in pumpkin chuckers, but would it be good in a smaller version? I'm going to try and make one out of PVC or something. I don't really like the concept of pneumaticly fired piston valves, I prefer to keep things mechanical.

With a butterfly valve the performance will depend on how quickly u can open the valve,trying to make one yourself might be hard.You could also save up a bit of cash(or alot) and buy one.On mythbusters they made a chicken cannon using a butterfly valve and it worked ok,but it was massive like a pumpkin chucker.

I posted this right after I saw that episode. If I used a spring loaded valve or a pneumatic ram, I could open it with decent speed.

Sorry but what is a butterfly valve

Took less than one minute to find it with a quick search on mcmaster.

They are similar to ball valves, they just open with a turn of the handle.

You can buy electronic activated butterfly valves,but they are very expensive...used in mines and petroleum refineing.well give it a go and see,thats the true way to tell.

I see no practical difference between this and ball valve.

Indeed, Rambo, they are just about the same. The difference being that 4" or even 6" butterfly valves are affordable (and common on E-bay) whereas 4" ball valves are not.

The electrically operated valves take multiple seconds to open - they are primarily for industrial systems, so you don't have to have a worker run around opening and closing valves.

Butterfly valves are covered in the spudwiki. I'm getting damn annoyed with these people who (should) know about it, but chose not to use it.

I think the difference is in the strenght. Think, witch is stronger, a flat plate or a a plate that has been rounded over?

There are also things called Globe Valves. They're basically reinforced ball valves.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/6-CAST-IRON-BUTTERF ... Item">What about this?</a>