Sherwood Compressed Gas Valves: Workings, Parts & Accessories

Sherwood compressed gas valves are sturdy pieces of kit — and they have to be. The high pressures contained within a compressed gas system put components under immense strain, so facility managers across all industries need to be able to rely on their equipment.

The team at Sherwood is well aware of just how important these valves are to the end user. They also consider the strict regulatory requirements and operating standards that govern any industry working with compressed gases. So the products they manufacture are designed to go above and beyond these industry minimums.

To achieve this, Sherwood produces and deploys internal components that have been precision machined to suit the unique requirements of a compressed gas system — meeting even the strictest of OSHA national standards as well as international standards. This is backed up with automated processes within the assembly and testing schedule. Automation ensures repeatable and reliable results during testing and production, eliminating human error that can cause significant problems in manufacturing and reducing the costs associated with the process.

At Chemtech, we provide a wide range of Sherwood valves, including specialty Sherwood chlorine and oxygen valves. Browse our product range to discover more about this, or reach out to our team if you have any questions.

Today, though, we’re taking a closer look at what goes on inside a Sherwood compressed gas valve, helping you understand how these components work.

Opening or Operating Mechanism

At the top of the valve is the opening or operating mechanism. Typically, this will be a hand wheel that can be turned to manipulate the threads within the valve stem, reducing or increasing the gas flow as required. This mechanism must be straightforward to operate, achieving complete manual control without delay whenever needed. The Sherwood valve achieves this thanks to a sturdy hand wheel, designed to be comfortable to operate for human users. Meanwhile, the valve’s inner workings reduce the torque required to open and close the valve, even at higher pressures.

Upper and Lower Stem

The upper and lower stems come together to open and close the valve, either permitting or prohibiting the flow of gas depending on the configuration of the stems. Within a Sherwood compressed gas valve, these stems employ a direct drive mechanism — the upper stem is driven directly by the hand wheel or operating mechanism at the top of the valve, achieving swift responsiveness and easy operation.

O-rings

Rubber O-rings sit between the upper and lower stems, creating a seal that eliminates leaks and escaping gases. The GSV model features a single optimized O-ring, while the GSH-V features double O-ring seals. These components make for easy and effective operation, enabling opening and closing with only small applications of torque to the opening mechanism.

Bonnet and Metal-to-Metal Seal

The bonnet sits on top of the valve’s body, screwing directly into this body to provide a strong and sturdy connection between the upper stems, operating mechanism, threads, and components within the lower section of the valve. While the connection is strong enough to withstand high pressures, this concentration can cause other problems — pressure in the threads can cause these threads to stick, making operation difficult. This is why Sherwood compressed gas valves are engineered with an improved metal-to-metal seal, preventing pressure build-up in the valves’ upper threads.

Valve Body

This is the bulk of what you can see when you look at the valve from the outside — the housing that keeps all constituent parts protected and supported. But there’s also a lot going on beneath the hood. This body is made from heavy-duty forged brass, giving the valve the durability it needs to sustain the high pressures of compressed gas. The body and other components within the valve are tested to be 100% leakproof with low-mass helium gases. When combined with leak detection measures, Sherwood Valves offer exceptional safety around the facility.

Compressed gases vary in terms of precise pressure. Typically, any gas or gas mixture of at least 40 psi at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or exceeding 104 psi at 130 degrees Fahrenheit will be classed as a compressed gas. Liquids with a vapor pressure of at least 40 psi at 100 degrees Fahrenheit may also be placed in this category. Facility managers must ensure they are working with valves that are adequately rated for the purpose, particularly if they are handling gases at a higher pressure level. The durable valve body, and the precision-engineered components of the valve, help to offer reliable operation and safety, providing the ratings are adhered to.

Inlets and Outlets

Inlet and outlet points enable the regular and reliable flow of gas when the valve is opened. These are designed to support a broad range of customer needs and offer compliance with the different regulatory codes around the world. Inlets can be tapped according to customer requirements, integrating with dip tubes within the system.

Pressure Release Mechanism

The Pressure Relief Device, or PRD, forms the pressure release mechanism on the Sherwood compressed gas valve. This component features a unitized plug design built for reliable operation and exceptional levels of safety. The PRD offers excellent flow characteristics while preventing tampering and unauthorized alteration to the valve. If the valve is incorrectly assembled, it will not function, so the design essentially guarantees proper assembly and provides valuable peace of mind for you and your team.

Explore the Sherwood Valve Range of Parts and Accessories

While Sherwood’s valves make up the bulk of the company’s product range, there is more to it than this. To support these valves, Sherwood offers a variety of parts and accessories, giving professional technicians and facility managers everything they need to build their industrial gas setup. Read on to discover more about these parts and accessories.

Pin Adapters and Pin Locking Tools

Pin adapters enable compatibility between different types of Sherwood valve products and specific kinds of gas cylinders. Each adapter is designed and rated for a designated form of industrial gas and a particular connection size. All of this information is displayed clearly in order to make the process simple and straightforward for trained technicians. Retractable pin models are also available within the Sherwood valve accessory range.

With a pin locking tool, trained operators can evacuate or fill gas cylinders according to their requirements. Again, each tool is rated according to the type of gas being used and the size of the cylinder connection.

Some models will require a wrench during installation and removal. Wrenches of specific sizes can be found within the Sherwood valve range and are sold separately to the adapter and locker kits. You can find more information on these torquing products below, in the Wrenches section.

Fusible Plugs

Sherwood cylinder valves may require fusible plugs that achieve a safe and secure seal. Sherwood provides a range of these plugs, each rated for use with a specific type of industrial gas setup.

One example is the 5853T fusible plug, designed for use within chlorine gas systems. This plug is manufactured using brass, with an alloy that fuses at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Other products are available for other types of gas systems, such as Sherwood oxygen valves. Check the rating and size of the fusible plug you use before deploying within your system.

Flex Connectors

Flex connectors provide a bit more agility and capability to your setup. These flexible pipe sections are constructed with zinc-plated copper for maximum reliability and longevity and can be positioned in any way your system requires without inhibiting flow or causing damage to the structure.

As Sherwood provides various valve products, each with its own configuration, they also offer different compatible connectors. Some flex connector packs come with CGA 660 connector nuts, making them suitable for applications where there is no yoke connection. This adds even more capability and potential as you build your industrial gas system.

Yokes and Yoke Adapters

Valves can be connected to other key components within the system using a yoke mounting. This yoke sits in place on top of the valve and is clamped into position, creating a safe and reliable connection between components. However, an adapter may be required to create the connection, as well as a gasket to provide a robust seal.

It is advisable to work exclusively with yokes and yoke mountings that are designed with Sherwood valves in mind. The Sherwood range delivers a number of yoke mounting and housing products, constructed from forged steel for maximum stability and reliability. Moldings are plated with a zinc coating, resisting corrosion and helping to achieve longer-term operational viability.

To support their range of yokes and to facilitate reliable connections, Sherwood provides different yoke adapters and associated gaskets. Each of these adapters and gaskets is rated for use with a particular valve model within the range. Ratings are clearly displayed so that you and your team know which yoke adapters and gaskets you will need for your specific valve setup.

Bear in mind that Sherwood delivers products that cover the broad industrial gas spectrum. This means different yokes and adapters may be rated for use with different gases — for example, chlorine yokes and adapters will be rated for use with Sherwood chlorine gas valves. Verify that you are using the correct model before installation.

Wrenches

Many of the valves in the Sherwood valve collection are not fitted with a built-in cap or handle for opening and closing. Instead, these handle-less valves require a wrench, which will enable you to apply the torquing force needed to operate easily.

It is not recommended to use standard issue wrenches to open and close these valves. As typical wrenches are not designed for use with Sherwood valves, this practice may cause damage to the valve itself, particularly over longer periods of usage. Damaged valves could result in a health and safety hazard and will need to be replaced in what can be an expensive project.

Sherwood offers specially designed yoke wrenches, each rated for a specific type of valve within the Sherwood valve range. For instance, if you are working with a 1210/1214 or 1210A/1214A chlorine valve, you’ll need a corresponding wrench. Many of these wrenches feature a twisted shaft construction for optimal opening and closing capability. Straight shaft models are also available.

The Sherwood valve range is intended to provide facility managers and business owners with everything they need to handle industrial gas in a safe and controlled manner. Whether Sherwood valves are used with cylinder products or are built into a wall outlet system, they deliver the same high-quality results — as long technicians pay attention to product ratings and sizes.

Find what you need when you explore the Sherwood valve range of products here at Chemtech. check out our product range to find the right Sherwood gas valve for you.

An Important Disclaimer

Sherwood valves are built with safety and security in mind, and all products meet the necessary standards of accreditation in the American market. However, compressed and industrial gases can still be highly dangerous and must be handled with care. All installation, operation, maintenance, replacement, and general management of Sherwood’s valve products should be carried out by a trained and licensed professional — failure to do so can put life and property at risk. If in doubt, consult a professional, and make sure operations involving industrial gases are never carried out by unqualified individuals and teams.