Kinitics Automation’s KVA38 Valve Actuator has achieved a significant endurance milestone, completing over one million repositions during a long-term test conducted at the company’s headquarters in Vancouver, Canada. The achievement underscores the actuator’s durability, especially given that the test took place outdoors through the winter months. Exposed to wind, snow, and rain, the KVA38 maintained full functionality without requiring servicing or repair.
The test was structured to follow the procedures outlined in CSA C22.2 No. 139:19, a standard used in evaluating industrial control equipment. The actuator’s internal diagnostics system, communicating via Modbus serial protocol, provided constant performance data and allowed engineers to closely monitor the actuator’s condition throughout the full duration of the test.
The KVA38’s robust performance is rooted in its unique design. Unlike conventional electric actuators that rely on gearboxes, sliding yokes, lead screws, and lubricated components, the KVA38 features a drivetrain with only one moving part. This simplicity helps reduce wear and eliminates many of the failure points found in more complex assemblies. At the core of the actuator is Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology, which delivers consistent force and precise motion through solid-state actuation.
An internal compression spring plays a vital role in fail-safe functionality, ensuring the valve returns to its closed position automatically in the event of a power or signal loss. This feature, combined with the actuator’s minimal mechanical complexity, makes it well-suited for applications requiring high reliability and low maintenance.