What Are The Two Types Of Gate Valves?

Gate valves can be divided into many types according to different classification standards. However, if we only look at the common classification standard of structural characteristics, gate valves can be mainly divided into the following two types

1. Parallel gate valve
The gate of the parallel gate valve is parallel to the valve seat sealing surface. The structure of this gate valve is relatively simple and has good sealing performance. However, due to the large opening height of its valve stem, the required installation space is also relatively large. Parallel gate valves are often used in medium and low pressure pipeline systems, especially in occasions where good sealing performance is required but installation space is not the main limitation.

2. Wedge gate valve
The gate of the wedge gate valve is at a certain angle (usually a wedge angle) to the valve seat sealing surface. This structure makes the wedge gate valve have a self-locking function, excellent sealing performance, and a small opening height, which is suitable for high pressure, high temperature and large caliber occasions. The gate of the wedge gate valve can be a single gate or a double gate. The advantage of the double gate type is that the accuracy requirement of the sealing surface angle is low, the temperature change is not easy to wedge the gate, and the wear of the sealing surface can be compensated by adding a gasket. However, the structure of the wedge gate valve is relatively complex, and it is easy to stick in viscous media, so special attention should be paid to maintenance and care.

In addition to the above two main types, gate valves can also be divided according to various classification standards such as sealing method, driving method, purpose and connection method. For example, according to the sealing method, it can be divided into soft-sealed gate valves and hard-sealed gate valves; according to the driving method, it can be divided into manual gate valves, electric gate valves, pneumatic gate valves and hydraulic gate valves; according to the purpose, it can be divided into ordinary gate valves, throttling gate valves, thermal insulation gate valves and low-temperature gate valves; according to the connection method, it can be divided into flange-connected gate valves, threaded-connected gate valves and welded-connected gate valves.