Description
Butterfly valves are a type of quarter-turn valve used to regulate the flow of a fluid. The valve mechanism requires a 90-degree turn to go from the fully open to the fully closed position. The basic butterfly valve has three primary components: A disc, a stem, and a seat. The disc is a thin, typically circular, metal plate that opens or closes the valve. When the valve is opened, the disc is aligned parallel to the fluid flow, allowing unrestricted flow. When the valve is shut, the disc is perpendicular to the fluid movement, using its surface area to prevent flow through the pipe. The stem is a shaft that transmits motion from the handle or actuator to the disc. In some applications, the stem may be combined with the handle or disc as a single component.