Valvomaton

Valvomaton is a term used in industrial automation to describe a compact, self-contained valve actuator and controller designed to automate the operation of fluid-handling valves in process systems. A valvomaton typically combines a valve assembly, an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator, position feedback, and embedded control electronics in a single enclosure. Some models are designed for direct-mount installation on the valve bonnet, while others are installed as remote units in a control cabinet.

Operation and design: The device receives a control signal, converts it into precise valve position via the actuator, and uses feedback from a position sensor to maintain the desired flow. Control schemes commonly include on/off, proportional, or PID throttling, with support for rate limiting and safety interlocks. Many valvomatons offer communication through industrial protocols such as Modbus, Profibus, HART, or Ethernet, enabling remote monitoring and integration with supervisory control systems. Safety features may include fail-safe springs, overload protection, valve-stem torque limits, and diagnostic reporting.

Applications: Valvomatons are used across industries such as water treatment, chemical processing, oil and gas, power generation, HVAC, and irrigation to achieve reliable, repeatable flow control, energy efficiency, and reduced manual maintenance.

Variants and standards: There are direct-mount and remote-mounted units; explosion-proof or intrinsically safe variants for hazardous environments; and smart versions with self-diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities. While not standardized to a single specification, most valvomatons conform to general actuator and valve interface standards to ensure interoperability.

Origin and usage: The term valvomaton is a portmanteau of valve and automaton, used in technical glossaries and educational materials to denote automated valve devices. It is not tied to a single manufacturer or product line.