Our Technology
Thermal actuators convert a temperature change into mechanical motion. Dating back to the early 1900s, the technology utilized in our thermostatic valves is referred to as phase-change technology. Our thermal actuators are filled with our exclusive Thermoloid® paraffin wax element that changes phase from solid-to-liquid, on increasing temperature, and from liquid-to-solid, on decreasing temperature to produce a usable stroke.
The unique quality of paraffin wax, which sits at the heart of each of our temperature control valves, is that it is predictable. When exposed to variations in temperature within its active range (typically 10°F), the performance of the thermostatic element can be predicted with a relatively high degree of accuracy, which is why thermal actuators are used as primary reference standards by ASTM for instrument calibration.
How it Works
The Thermoloid® material is sealed inside our actuators by a diaphragm. As temperature increases above the melting point of the Thermoloid® material, it expands in volume and pushes against a diaphragm, which in turn pushes on a piston.
In its “hot position,” the piston acts as a valve stem, opening or closing the valve. As the Thermoloid® material cools below its melting point, it compresses, and a spring returns the piston and diaphragm to the “cold position.”
The phase change, resulting in a significant volume change, produces motion over a narrow, highly predictable temperature range. The temperature range at which the phase change occurs can vary depending on the chemical composition of the Thermoloid® material used.
Our Thermoloid® material operates at temperatures ranging from 15°F to 300°F (-9.44°C to 149°C). Because of the gradual transition from solid-to-liquid of this Thermoloid® material, these valves act more like modulating valves than quick opening/closing valves.
Our Direct Acting Valves are designed to be open when the wax is in its solid-state or the “cold position,” while Reverse Acting Valves are open when the wax is in its liquid state or the “hot position.”
Our Products
As a leader in self-actuated temperature control solutions, ThermOmegaTech® prides itself on the high-quality manufacturing process, problem-solving approach, and innovative engineering techniques used to design and manufacture our thermostatic valves and actuators.
Thermostatic Valves and Equipment:
- Balancing Valves for Domestic Hot Water Systems – CircuitSolver
- Cooling Water Control Valves – HAT/RA, HAT/RA-LP, TV/HAT-RA, & TV/HAT-RA-LP
- Drain Tempering Valves – DTV
- Freeze Protection Valves – HAT/FP & IC/FP
- Freeze Protection Valves for Locomotives – GURU
- Freeze Protection Valves for Passenger Rail Cars – GURU PC
- Glycol Tracing Control Valve – HAT & TV/HAT
- High Temperature Shut Off Valves – HST, HAT, & TV/HAT
- Instrumentation Protection Valves – TV/SC-A, TV/HAT, TV/SC-I, TV/SC-IR, & ITCH kit
- Mechanical Seal Flush Valves – EcoFlow
- Mixing and Diverting Valves– M/D
- Pump Thermal Relief Valves – ECONO/HAT-RA & HAT/RA-HP
- Sample Cooler Temperature Control Valves – HST, US/S-XR, & TV/US-XR
- Scald Protection Valves – HAT/SP & IC/SP
- Steam Tracing Control Valves – TV/SC-A, US/S-X, & TV/US-X
- Steam Trap Valves – HAT & TV/HAT
- Tepid Water Delivery Systems – Therm-O-Mix Station, Therm-O-Mix WWM, & ESS Water Heater
- Thermal Bypass Valves – M/D
- Washdown Stations and Accessories – STVM, HCX, and HCS Stations
Not Sure What You Need?
Visit our Interactive Applications Guide to see how our thermostatic valves can benefit your operation.
Our self-operating thermostatic technology is an elegant solution, proven highly reliable in various applications, whether in one of our current products or a design customized by our in-house engineering team to meet a customer’s unique needs.
Contact us to discuss your projects’ requirements for overall size, spring strength, weight ratios, temperatures ranges, flow rates, threads, materials, etc. Cartridges or actuators can also be modified to integrate into custom valve bodies or pre-existing/custom manifolds.