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An air proportional valve is a critical component in any system that requires continuous, accurate regulation of gas flow or pressure. Unlike simple on/off switching, proportional control adjusts the valve opening in direct proportion to an input signal, ensuring the output tracks the target value without overshoot or drift over time.
Dolphin Fluidics designs air proportional valves built on proprietary shape memory actuator (SMA) technology: a new generation of electro-pneumatic components that eliminate the noise, heat, and power draw of conventional solenoid valves.
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Smart HP Air Valve
The Smart HP Air Valve is a 2-way, normally closed, full-separation valve offering both on/off and proportional closed-loop control. Designed for precise dosing and dispensing of gas with no drift over time, it integrates an air filter directly in the valve body and supports a hardware interface to external pressure, flow or temperature sensors for fully autonomous closed-loop regulation.
- Air/gas pressure range: 0-4 bar | Flow: 0-30 l/min @ 1 bar
- Liquid pressure range: 0-20 bar | Flow: 0.05 (m3/h)/sqrt(bar)
- Shape memory actuator - silent, drift-free, extended service life
- 32-bit microprocessor with built-in memory for closed-loop control
- Communication: Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C | LED status indicator
- Operating voltage: 5-24 VDC
- Fully customisable firmware, mechanical interface and IoT connectivity
EAV valve for air fluids
The EAV valve features two independent channels: channel 1 for proportional air flow control, channel 2 for proportional vapour or liquid control. It is the ideal solution for emulsification, aeration, and mixed-media dispensing where two fluid streams must be controlled simultaneously.
- CH1: proportional air/gas control | CH2: proportional gas, steam or liquid
- Closed-loop proportional control on both channels independently
- Two separate channels with a quick-connect terminal
- Communication: Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C | LED status indicator
- Operating voltage: 5-24 VDC
Digisense valve
The Digisense valve is a self-contained closed-loop mixer and dosing system. Two independent liquid channels each carry an integrated flowmeter and temperature probe, enabling precise flow regulation and temperature-controlled mixing with no external components required.
- Two independent liquid channels | Pressure range: 0-8 bar | Kv: 0.16 (m3/h)/sqrt(bar)
- Integrated flowmeter per channel for closed-loop flow regulation
- Integrated temperature probes for closed-loop temperature mixing
- Full-seal gasket and high-hygiene design
- Communication: RS-485 | LED status indicator
- Operating voltage: 7.5-24 VDC or 24 VAC
Digimed valve
The Digimed valve provides independent proportional control of two media -- air/gas on one channel, liquid on the other -- within a single compact body. Designed for the health care sector, all wetted materials conform to ISO 10993 for biocompatibility. A full-seal gasket ensures perfect sealing and a high level of hygiene.
- Dual channel: air/gas + liquid | Pressure range: 0-4 bar | Flow: 0.23 (m3/h)/sqrt(bar)
- ISO 10993 material compliance for health care applications
- Full-seal gasket ensuring perfect sealing and valve hygiene
- Hardware interface for external sensors and control loop closure
- Communication: Analog, PWM, RS
- Operating voltage: 5-24 VDC
Technical specifications at a glance
| Model | Channels | Pressure Range | Control Mode | Protocols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart HP Air Valve | 1 | 0-4 bar (air) | 0-20 bar (liquid) | Proportional closed-loop | Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C |
| EAV Valve | 2 | 0-2 bar | Proportional closed-loop | Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C |
| Digimed Valve | 2 | 0-4 bar | Proportional closed-loop | Analog, PWM, RS-485, I2C |
| Digisense Valve | 2 | 0-8 bar | Proportional closed-loop | RS-485 |
Why choose a Dolphin Fluidics proportional air valve
Shape Memory actuator technology
All Dolphin Fluidics valves use a patented shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator instead of a conventional electromagnetic solenoid. This eliminates noise, heat generation and mechanical wear. The result is totally silent operation, zero magnetic interference with sensitive electronics and a longer service life with no recalibration requirement.
32-Bit closed-loop control, on-board
Each proportional valve integrates a 32-bit microprocessor with built-in memory that runs the closed-loop control algorithm locally. There is no need for an external PID controller or signal conditioner: the valve accepts a setpoint input (analog or digital) and autonomously regulates pressure, flow, or a derived variable measured by an external sensor connected directly to the valve hardware interface.
Up to 20x lower power consumption
Compared to conventional proportional solenoid valves, Dolphin Fluidics valves consume up to 20 times less energy. This is a decisive advantage in battery-powered instruments, high-channel-count systems and applications where thermal management is a design constraint.
Full medium separation
The full-seal gasket design ensures complete separation between the fluid path and the electronics. There is no risk of fluid contamination of the actuation components, and the valve maintains a high level of hygiene, a requirement in medical, analytical, food and agricultural applications.
IoT-ready digital interfaces
Native RS-485, I2C, PWM and analog interfaces are available on all proportional models, enabling direct integration into embedded systems, PLCs and IoT architectures. Control firmware can be customised to the communication protocol and data format required by the host system.
Fully customisable for OEM applications
Every dimension - fluidic ports, connector type, pressure range, control algorithm, communication interface, and materials - can be adapted to the requirements of a specific OEM application. Dolphin Fluidics acts as a development partner from early design through volume production.
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Applications
Dolphin Fluidics proportional air valves are deployed across industries where precision gas or fluid control is a functional requirement:
| Industry | Use Case | Recommended Model(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Tech & Medical | Diagnostic instruments, respiratory devices, patient monitoring. ISO 10993 / NSF-FDA compliant materials available. | Digimed, Smart HP Air Valve |
| Industrial Automation | Dispensing, mixing, process control, pneumatic actuation in manufacturing lines. | Smart HP Air Valve, EAV Valve, Digisense Valve |
| Food & Beverage | Proportional dosing, aeration, carbonation, filling and blending lines. | EAV Valve, Digisense Valve |
| Agriculture | Fertigation, precision irrigation, controlled-atmosphere storage. | Smart HP Air Valve |
| Analytical Instruments | Gas chromatography, environmental monitoring, microfluidic lab-on-chip. | Smart HP Air Valve, EAV Valve |
Design your next system with a Dolphin Fluidics proportional air valve
Tell our engineering team about your application -- pressure range, flow requirements, media, communication protocol, and integration constraints. We will identify the optimal valve from our range or define a customised solution tailored to your OEM project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a proportional air valve?
A proportional air valve modulates its opening continuously in proportion to an input control signal, rather than simply switching open or closed. This allows precise, real-time regulation of air or gas pressure and flow. Proportional valves are used wherever a process variable - pressure, flow rate, concentration - must be controlled to a specific setpoint with high accuracy and stability over time.
How does a shape memory actuator differ from a solenoid valve?
A solenoid valve uses an electromagnetic coil to generate the force needed to open or close the valve, which generates heat, acoustic noise and consumes significant power. Dolphin Fluidics uses a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire that changes length in response to a precisely controlled thermal stimulus delivered by the on-board microprocessor. The result is silent, ultra-low-power, proportional actuation with no magnetic interference and no recalibration over the life of the valve.
What pressure ranges are available for air or gas control?
The Smart HP Air Valve is rated 0-4 bar on the air/gas side and up to 20 bar on the liquid side. The EAV valve covers 0-2 bar; the Digimed handles up to 4 bar and the Digisense up to 8 bar on the liquid side. For applications requiring a broader or custom pressure range, the Dolphin Fluidics engineering team can configure or develop a tailored solution.
What communication protocols are supported?
Depending on the model, Dolphin Fluidics proportional valves support analog (0-10 V / 4-20 mA), PWM, RS-485 and I2C. Each valve communication interface can be customised as part of the standard OEM configuration process.
Are the valves suitable for medical or food-contact applications?
Yes. The Digimed valve uses materials conforming to ISO 10993 for health care applications. The On/Off valve is available with NSF/FDA material compliance. All models feature full medium separation to prevent cross-contamination between the fluid path and the actuation electronics.
Can a proportional valve operate as a standalone closed-loop controller?
Yes. The 32-bit microprocessor integrated in each Dolphin Fluidics proportional valve can run the full control loop autonomously. By connecting an external pressure, flow or temperature sensor directly to the valve hardware interface, the valve becomes a self-contained regulator with no external controller required.
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