The phrase “slide gate valve” is familiar to professionals who install ductwork, ventilation and chimney systems with their own hands. This definition sounds ornate, but it corresponds to the meaning of the common word "damper", which is known in the most deaf Russian village. Without a damper, not a single stove or fireplace is made; it does not allow warm air to quickly go outside.
Types of dampers
A gate is a simple valve that shuts off / regulates the flow of air or other liquid / bulk materials. Gate valves of this type can also be used in highways pumping waste water and other aggressive media.
The industry manufactures two types of such dampers: a rotary gate and a horizontal one. The first type of gate has another name: throttle. This type of locking mechanism is less reliable than horizontal. Therefore, it is used only in situations where installing a horizontal locking mechanism with your own hands is technically impossible.
Horizontal gate, as a rule, is used in steel and brick chimneys. In order for it to completely obscure the furnace channel, the locking plate in this mechanism is perforated or has a cut - these are fire safety requirements.
Gate valve for ventilation, duct, chimney
The locking mechanism, depending on the size of the gate, can function along two types of guides:
- air duct size up to 25 cm - in a slit pocket;
- if the duct is larger - the valve is fixed by a pair of angles. This design of the locking mechanism is easier to open / close, clean from contamination.
Setting the gate - selection of the angle
A standard valve blocks the air flow at an angle of 90 degrees. This design has a significant drawback: even a weak air flow contributes to the formation of noise, which negatively affects others.
The designers found a way out: the locking mechanism blocks the air flow at an angle of 45 degrees. With this design, the turbulence is much smaller. That is, there is no factor causing unwanted noise.
Horizontal rotary gate: design features
The design of the locking mechanism is affected by:
- the shape and diameter of the exhaust, air duct system;
- temperature of the medium / material moving through the system;
- passage conditions and other factors.
The gate valve is based on a metal sheet (made of chrome, high alloy, stainless steel) of the required thickness. The locking mechanism moves in a slotted pocket or along metal corners.
Gate valves differ in the type of actuator of the locking mechanism: manual, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic.
Do-it-yourself installation of a slide gate valve
The most common place in which the gate valve is installed is the fan output. If the fan is installed together with an adjustable gate valve, this design is called the starting gate. In this design, the valve acts as a protective plug that prevents the fan motor from overheating.
It is necessary to start the fan motor with the gate closed, since with the open locking mechanism the additional load will act on the electric motor. Such additional exposure may result in failure of the electrical equipment.
During the installation of the gate device with your own hands, you need to take into account the fact that the presence of a direct chimney will complicate the maintenance of the exhaust system.
Some features of installing a gate for a chimney do-it-yourself
The gate for the chimney is installed in two ways:
- pipe to pipe - the locking device is mounted in the chimney, without any fasteners;
- the locking device is installed directly in the stove or outlet outlet. That is, the valve is part of the design. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is mounted at a height of not more than one meter. This makes it possible to easily move the mechanism.
Use the slide gate valves in the oven so as not to be poisoned by carbon monoxide.
The knowledge of when it is possible to close the damper in the furnace so that heat does not leave it in vain was passed on from parents to children. The rule is simple: while the flames “move” in the furnace, it is impossible to completely close the damper so that people could not be poisoned by carbon monoxide. As soon as the flame in the furnace disappeared, the damper can be safely closed without fear of poisoning.
With your own hands you can do everything that does not require a special tool or materials. Installation of a slide gate valve does not require either the first or the second, but only basic knowledge and care during operation.
