(1888PressRelease)
September 16, 2008 - Milwaukee, WI, -- Testing data reviewed by the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) indicates that the EnviroValve may be one of the most revolutionary valve designs of the 21st Century. In a recent peer reviewed article published by the International Journal of Fluid Power (IJFP), the practicality of a non-electronic valve which can be placed upstream to protect the full hydraulic system and sub-systems is far reaching. Whereas, velocity fuses or load-locking valves are placed on cylinders to protect the load from free-falling, the EnviroValve is placed upstream after the pump to stop high pressure fluid from escaping into the atmosphere in the event of a line rupture.
"Hydraulic hose and line failures in the field cause extreme hazards to the equipment, equipment operators, work crews and the environment," states Dr. Medhat Bahr Khalil, Engineering Professor for Fluid Power and Motion at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Khalil, who co-authored the article, "Hydraulic System Protection Against Catastrophic Line Failure Using Newly Developed Safety Valve," published in the September 2008 Issue of the IJFP, emphasizes that, "Sadly, we can fairly say up to now, there has been no cost effective solution introduced to the industry to resolve this hazard."
The EnviroValve may be the only valve available to address the issues that have existed in the fluid power industry for the last four decades. "Injuries caused by catastrophic line ruptures, hose replacement costs, equipment damage, fires, downtime and the expenses related to environmental clean up and expensive oil replacement have just been a way of life," states Donald M. Loper, President of SmartFlow Technologies. "We believe that our EnviroValveTM can successfully reduce all of these known hazards and expenses with a minimal cost to the companies that opt to retrofit our valve," emphasizes Loper.
"The fact of the matter is, that we are not in this business to tell equipment manufactures that their current equipment is unsafe," states Loper. "Our primary objective is to provide a viable, cost-effective solution to the end-users that are having to deal with these types of problems on a daily basis," emphasizes Loper. "I believe that it may take some time before manufacturers realize that it is in their best interest to design their systems around this technology," states Loper, who has received inquires from customers all over the world asking if the EnviroValveTM could be customized and retro-fitted to their equipment.
One industry that does seem to be interested in minimizing the risks to equipment, equipment operators and the environment is the insurance industry. "I have received many calls from customers who have told me that their insurance carrier is requiring that they put systems in place to reduce their liability," states Loper, who believes it is just a matter of time before insurance carriers realize that Loper's EnviroValveTM can significantly reduce risk.
"Although safety should be the first and foremost priority, it is difficult to tell, at this point, which group, the environmental activists or the insurance industry will have a greater influence in prompting manufacturers to take action," states Loper.
Loper, who has used his own resources to develop the EnviroValveTM has developed a "wait and see" type of aproach. "I am confident that there is a huge market for this technology," states Loper, who has simplified and omitted some critical data from the IJFP for his own protection. "I have no hesitation in telling someone exactly how the EnviroValveTM works," states Loper, whose mathematical model and simulation results have been validated by MSOE, one of the top ten engineering schools in the country.
In addition to the fluid power industry, the EnviroValve could potentially have applications in other industries, for example, hydro power, pneumatic and oil and natural gas. "Thus far, most of our research and development has been focused in fluid power," states Loper, who says that he is open to establishing joint ventures with equipment and parts manufacturers to develop viable solutions for other industries using his patent pending technology. "We have received numerous inquires from potential customers who have asked us if we plan to design EnviroValveTM for other industries," states Loper. "Unfortunately, we just don't have the time or resources to develop the valve for other markets right now," emphasizes Loper.
SmartFlow Technologies is continuing to further develop the applications for the EnviroValve on both fixed and variable volume fluid power equipment. More information on SmartFlow Technologies, Inc. and the EnviroValve can be found on the company's web site, www.smartflowtechnologies.com.
###
