Lubrication oil systems are used in many industrial, mobile, and aerospace applications to reduce system wear and increase performance of pumps and engines. Proper temperature control of these systems is very important.
Lube oil temperatures above recommended limits cause lower oil viscosity leading to poor lubrication, increased emissions, higher internal leakage, increased wear on bearings and seals, thermal degradation of seals and other components. Temperatures below the recommended range increase lube oil viscosity leading to poor lubrication, increased wear, poor fuel economy, higher stress on pumps, valves, fittings, seals, and other components.
ThermOmegaTech®’s thermal bypass valves (TBVs) are ideal for these applications to maintain optimal fluid temperature in lube oil systems. Our 3-way temperature control valves (also known as thermostatic control valves, TCVs, or temperature regulators,) use our self-actuating thermostatic technology to monitor the inlet flow and divert the fluid based on temperature. Cooler fluid will go through the bypass of the valve directly to the reservoir or bypass loop while hot fluid will activate the thermal actuator, causing the internal cartridge to close and forcing the fluid through the system cooler.
Lube Oil Temperature Control Valves
Thermal control in lube oil systems offers a number of performance, economic, and environmental benefits including:
- Maintaining correct temperature keeps lube oil within its recommended viscosity range ensuring that mechanical components like bearings and seals are properly lubricated and the system runs at peak efficiency.
- Keeping temperatures down helps ensure the lube oil and other system components last longer. Excess heat degrades lube oil, forms harmful varnish on component surfaces, and deteriorates bearings and seals.
- Operating within recommended temperature ranges increases system availability and efficiency, improving equipment productivity.
- Increased machine uptime and fewer shutdowns reduces service and repair costs.
Designed with the most advanced and reliable thermal actuator technology available today, our thermal bypass valves are compact, low mass, reliable and fast acting making them the ideal alternative for Amot valves, FPE valves, Parker Valves, and Thermal Transfer valves.