We often think that all of the advancements that are made in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are a product of today’s world. The fact of the matter is, however, many of today’s new products and ideas often rely on simple ideas, machines, and parts that were developed years ago. Triple offset butterfly valves, for instance, have been around since the early 1930s. Used in various industries like heating and cooling, oil and gas, power generation, pulp and paper, shipbuilding, and water and wastewater treatment, this is a piece of equipment that has been essential for nearly a century. And while there will certainly be new developments made by today’s STEM field, it is important to realize that even the latest products will always rely on a perfect combination of old ideas and platforms with latest dreams. In fact, if every inventor, scientist, and engineer had to start from scratch we would not make much progress.
Tomorrow’s Technologies Rely in Part on Yesterday’s Inventions
As more and more companies look at improving the products and services that they offer, it should come as no surprise that the most reliable low maintenance parts like triple offset butterfly valves are still being used. From engines that rely on the constant and reliable flow of high-temperature gases and oils to other industries that require a consistent way to regulate fluid flow, it is important to make sure that you are using the most reliable parts.
Although a centric, or rubber seated butterfly valve is limited to 200psig and up to 400 degrees fahrenheit, it can still serve a valuable purpose in many kinds of machines. When you have other needs, a high-performance butterfly valve is recommended for temperatures up to 1200 degrees fahrenheit and pressures up to 1440psig. Knowing which kind of valve is needed can help any current machine run better, in addition to making sure that you are able to create the next bet machine.
Today’s engineers and scientists are developing many ideas that will impact future generations, but they often rely on state of the art technology that was developed by people from years, decades, and sometimes centuries, ago.