Beck Damper Drives and Electric Actuators in
General Industry Applications
Harold Beck and Sons, Inc has been working with heavy industry since the 1930's to reduce process variability and increase the overall reliability of valve and damper control. Beck electronic drives are distinctly different from typical actuation systems, which limit control reliability and require constant maintenance. Unlike pneumatic and conventional electric actuators, Beck control drives withstand years of continuous duty without maintenance, and provide precise, stable positioning to ensure accurate tracking of the input signal. This high level of control will not degrade over time.
More Consistent and Precise than Pneumatics:
Beck control drives eliminate the performance bottlenecks created by inconsistent and non-linear pneumatic actuator performance, which typically varies as a function of frictional and dynamic load, process conditions, the condition of the valve or damper, and the performance of actuator accessories such as I/P transducers, regulators, and positioners. Unlike pneumatic actuators, Beck drives provide consistent and repeatable positioning.
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-1 shows the response of a pneumatic diaphragm valve actuator to a 2% ramping demand signal representative of a control signal modulating the valve. The response demonstrates actuator dead time and overshoot often referred to a "stick and slip". It is not unusual for stick to completely prevent actuator response to the small demand changes typical of continuous process control.
Figure 1-2
Figure 1-2 shows the response of a Beck Electronic Control Drive to the same demand. The Beck drive tracks the demand closely. This eliminates more than 8 seconds of dead time and the significant overshoot associated with the pneumatic actuator. This type of performance gain in the actuator could be the difference between an uncontrollable flow loop and a tightly controlled one.
More Reliable than Conventional Electric Actuators:Specifically designed for modulating control, Beck drives incorporate a no-burnout motor, an efficient spur gear drive train, and accurate, durable electronics. This unique design eliminates the performance limitations typical of electric actuators, including overheating motors, trips, worm gear-induced backlash, coasting, and other positioning inaccuracies.
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-3 illustrates the cool, stable operation of the Beck control motor in comparison with the conventional single-phase and three-phase motors. Tests were conducted under a 100% duty cycle to simulate maximum control loop activity. The temperature in the conventional motors quickly rose to a dangerous level, tripping the thermal overloads, rendering the motor unavailable for control. In contrast, the Beck motor slowly rose in temperature under these service conditions, remaining stable and continuously available for process control.
These benefits have contributed to our customers' profit margins by improving process control performance. Today, as more and more installations are investing in advanced control systems to further improve quality as well as reduce fuel, raw material and maintenance costs, Beck remains the economical choice over lower-priced alternatives. Beck drives provide the reliability and performance necessary to maximize your investment in a control system.
Listed below are a few common applications where Beck drives are utilized to improve plant performance. This list is not all-inclusive but is intended to demonstrate some of the various applications where customers have turned to Beck to improve overall process control and reliability, resulting in significant cost savings:
- Fan dampers (ID, FD, Primary/Secondary Air, Overfire Air)
- Process control valves
- Boiler/furnace combustion air/fuel valves
- Feed water and process steam valves
- Scrubber dampers and valves
- Baghouse fan dampers
- Fluid couplings for fans and pumps
- Material dryer dampers
- Effluent valves
- Furnace pressure control dampers
- Cooling water valves
Beck drives can be specified and installed to match the performance of your control system at any level of automation. Each model is available with a variety of control options. Whether precise modulating control or reliable open/close functions are required, a Beck drive can be equipped for the job.
Beck sales engineers are available to assist plant personnel with sizing specific applications, ensuring that the proper drive is specified. For more information about Beck drives, applications and how they can help you, please contact a Beck sales engineer at 215-968-4600.
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