Norgren Adds New Proportional Valve

Pneumatic motion and fluid control technology company Norgren has added the Flatprop EQP to its line of proportional valves for the life sciences sector. The device is manufactured by Switzerland-based Norgren subsidiary FAS (Fluid Automation Systems), and it is a next-generation version of the 16-mm Flatprop EQI. According to Norgren, the EQI was the proportional valve that originally enabled the miniaturization of acute, sub-acute and emergency or ambulatory care ventilators.

The EQP matched the EQI’s footprint, and delivers more than 40 percent additional flow than the EQI, claims Norgren. It has been tested and validated in excess of 100 million cycles. The device consumes 2.5 watts of power, which is low, and is reportedly capable of delivering 186 liters per minute of oxygen at an inlet pressure of 2.0 bar. Frictionless operation is designed to provide the same accuracy and repeatability with minimal hysteresis.

“The FlatProp EQP product was developed in response to the changing market demand for lower inlet operating pressures of 2.0 bar (30 psig) or ‘wall pressure’ available in hospitals and clinics,” explained Rob Howard, sales and marketing director at FAS. “FlatProp EQP meets the OEM requirement for 100 percent oxygen at the lowest inlet pressure for adult patients”

“The FlatProp EQP represents the evolution of miniature proportional valve technology innovation from FAS dating back to the original EQI series launched in 2003,” added FAS Managing Director Ronan de Seroux. “The EQP is a cornerstone of the FAS life sciences technology roadmap and included critical voice of the customer input from global ventilator and anesthesia delivery OEMs.”

Norgren is based in Littleton, Colo.