Gate valves operate just as the name indicates. A barrier blocks all flow when activated and as the “gate” is lifted, flow is restored. I tend to think about barbarians storming a medieval castle when referring to gate valves. As the barbarians are riding through the outskirts unimpeded, they reach the castle where the knights […]
Butterfly Valves Explained
Butterfly valves operate similarly to ball valves. They both open and close with a quarter-turn and are also considered shut-off valves, though butterfly valves are much better at regulating flow. This is the reason they are commonly used in engines for “throttling”. As you can see, a closed butterfly valve has a thin profile stopping […]
P Traps and S Traps Explained
I once had a 12 year old ask me why kitchen sinks have P traps. This young man, had worked with his father under the sink to help fix a slow leak but never got an explanation from his dad. I asked him why he thought sinks needed P traps and he responded, “I’m not […]