Check Valves

Many different check valves on a colorful background

Small and Miniature Check Valves:
Reliable Solutions for Smaller Industrial Applications

Check Valves are designed to allow “free” flow in one direction and prevent flow in the reverse direction.

This “checking” function is necessary for proper operation of the system in a very broad range of applications. For example, in sewer lines, large check valves are employed to keep waste flowing in only one direction. In aircraft hydraulic systems, smaller check valves are used to control the actuators in landing gear, among other uses. These two examples highlight the SIZE difference needed in check valves for industrial applications.

O’Keefe Controls Co. serves the myriad industries that have applications requiring small and miniature check valves. The three types of Check Valves manufactured by O’Keefe Controls Co. are the following:

  • Disk Type Check Valves
  • Ball Type Check Valves
  • Threaded Insert Check Valves

Designs for Both In-Line and Integral Installation

Although check valves come in all shapes and sizes, they can be separated into two primary designs, in-line and integral.

In-line check valves have connections on the inlet and outlet. This allows the user to install the check valve directly into the pipe, tubing or hose that carries the fluid being controlled. There is a large selection of connections available, including NPT, 10-32 UNF, and compression tube, just to name a few.

Integral check valves are designed to be incorporated into a valve, manifold, or some other component in a fluid system. Again, there is a large selection of configurations available making it easy to install an integral check valve in a system. A wide range of bodies designed to thread into a straight threaded cavity are available in US or Metric straight threads, several sealing methods are also available.

Disk Type Check Valves

Disk Type Check Valves

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Disk Type Check Valves offerings

Ball Type Check Valves

Ball Type Check Valves

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Ball Type Check Valves offerings

Threaded Insert Check Valves

Threaded Insert Check Valves

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Threaded Insert Check Valves offerings

Call us to ask about your Check Valves application: 203.261.6711

In-Line Check Valves

Disk Type Check Valves

Features of Disk Type Check Valves

  • Available in brass and 303 stainless steel
  • High flow capacity
  • Low cracking pressure
  • Low pressure loss
  • Long, trouble-free operating life
  • 4 sizes – 10-32 UNF, 1/8″ NPT, 1/4″ NPT, 3/8″ NPT

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Disk Type Check Valves offerings

Disk Type Check Valves

Disk Type Check Valves are comprised of a floating disk and an elastomeric seat. The disk position is determined by differential pressure. In the free flow direction differential pressure pushes the disk away from the elastomeric seat and fluid flows around the disk and through the outlet port. A reverse differential pressure forces the disk against the elastomeric seal and no flow is allowed. The differential pressure needed to open or close the valve is generally low and this design is capable of many cycles.

Disk style check valves are available in 1/8”, 1/4”, and 3/8” NPT or in 10-32 UNF threads in female by female or male by female configurations. Brass or 303SS bodies are available with disk materials of brass, 303SS or Delrin.

Diagram of disk type check valve

Typical Applications of Disk Type Check Valves

  • Leak testing
  • Prevent reverse flow through rapid cycling solenoid valves
  • Multi-line dispensing devices
  • Fill operations

Call us to ask about your Disk Type Check Valves application: 203.261.6711

Ball Type Check Valves

Ball Type Check Valves are available with or without springs. The operation of the springless version is similar to the disk style check valve in that the ball position is determined by differential pressure. Unlike the disk style elastomeric seat, the ball style uses a metal to metal seat thus expanding the pressure rating substantially.

Incorporating a return spring into the assembly ensures the ball returns to its seat with or without a differential pressure. A return spring also introduces a cracking pressure. A cracking pressure is the minimum differential needed to open the valve and allow free clow.

Ball style check valves are available with 1/8”, or 1/4” NPT or 10-32 UNF threads. Male by male, male by female and female by female configurations are available. Brass or 303SS construction with stainless steel internals are produced.

The free-floating ball style (no return spring) is also available in a compression tube, fitting, used to attach both the inlet and outlet of the check valve. 1/8″, 1/4″ and 3/8″ OD’s are offered.  Balls are available in stainless steel or elastomeric materials.

Typical Applications of Ball Type Check Valves

  • Small reciprocating proportioning pumps
  • Multi-line dispensing devices
  • Fill operations
  • Eliminate back flow and priming in start/stop pump applications
  • Minimize dripping from static spray nozzles
  • Expansion valves/pressure relief operations
  • Prevent reverse flow through solenoid valves
Ball Type Check Valves

Features of Ball Type Check Valves

  • Metal-to-metal construction
  • Long, trouble-free operating life
  • Many cracking pressure options
  • High pressure
  • Available in 10-32 UNF, 1/8″ NPT, and 1/4″ NPT
  • Compression tube fittings in 1/8″, 1/4″ and 3/8″ OD’s
  • Minimal seat leakage may be expected
diagram of ball type check valve

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Ball Type Check Valves offerings

Call us to discuss your Ball Type Check Valves application: 203.261.6711

Integral Check Valves

Threaded Insert Check Valves

Features of Threaded Insert Check Valves

  • All metal body construction
  • Brass or Stainless Steel
  • Many thread sizes available
  • Stainless Steel or Elastomeric Ball
  • Long, trouble-free operating life
  • Many cracking pressure options
  • Optional unique nose seal construction
Diagram - threaded insert check valve

CLICK HERE to view our catalog of Threaded Insert Check Valves offerings

Threaded Insert Check Valves

In applications where size and weight are a concern an integral check valve can often be a convenient option. Integral check valves are designed to fit into some other existing device like a valve, manifold, vessel wall or perhaps another fitting. The most common integral check valve consists of a threaded body that is intended to be threaded into the other device using a screw slot or hex drive.

Integral check valves are available as either a spring-loaded ball style or a free-floating ball style. The material of the ball is stainless steel or elastomeric material such as Viton or Buna N, while the body can be brass or stainless steel. A large range of threads are available. In instances where miniaturization is paramount, threads as small as 6-32 UNC or M3.5 can be used.

Threaded check valves generally require a thread sealant to prevent spiral leakage around the threads.

A unique alternate sealing option is the use of a nose seal construction. A nose seal is an O-ring seal on the leading end of the check valve that can seal against a flat surface. This option can save time and expense in installation.

Typical Applications of Threaded Insert Check Valves

  • Thread into ports on multi-feed manifolds
  • Vent port spill prevention
  • One way fill port/injector
  • Speed controls
  • Spray nozzle drip control
  • Pneumatic Controls

Call us to ask about your Threaded Insert Check Valves application: 203.261.6711

Industrial Applications for Check Valves

small environmental test chamber

Disk Type Check Valves can keep up with the rapid cycle solenoid valves used in small environmental test chambers. 

Bioreactor, as used in medical research

Check Valves are useful in bioreactors to help control the pressure and gas mixing operations. 

Food & Beverage industry - production line filling bottles with corn oil.

Check valves help eliminate dripping in dispensing and filling operations.

robotic arem spray painting automotive parts

Check Valves are utilized in robotic spray painting in automotive production.

robotic hand working in circuit board produciton

Threaded insert check valves help control a robotic hand in circuit board manufacturing. 

Disk Type Check Valves

The differential pressure needed to open or close Disk Type Check Valves is generally low, and the design is capable of many cycles. These features make them ideal for use with rapid-cycling solenoid valves, as in an environmental testing chamber application, where the solenoid valves cycle rapidly to maintain very close temperatures and other conditions. The check valves can open and close very quickly to keep up with the solenoid valve cycling, and their construction ensures lasting reliable service.   

The low pressure differential also makes them ideal for certain leak testing applications. For example, Disk Type Check Valves have been used in conjunction with solenoid valves for leak testing high-altitude pressure suits used by pilots.

Ball Type Check Valves

A common use of Ball Type Check Valves is in protecting small reciprocating pumps and other equipment from damage caused by backflow, when pressure changes in the piping cause flow reversal.

Ball type Check Valves can aid in the field of biomedical research.  Equipment such as bioreactors, HPLC and HPGC machines, and the like can employ check valves to help control pressure, for gas or liquid mixing applications, and more. 

Ball Type Check Valves are also used to prevent reverse flow through solenoid valves, especially in higher pressure applications than the disk type would be suited for.

Spring-loaded Ball Type Check Valves can be used with expansion valves for pressure relief applications. The ball moves away from the valve seat when the force of the upstream pressure exerts a greater force than that of the spring, allowing the media to pass through the outlet port.

In the Food & Beverage industry, Ball Type Check Valves can be incorporated into fill operations and multi-line dispensing systems to minimize dripping.  They are also useful for drip control in industrial spray nozzle applications, such as automotive painting and finishing.  

Threaded Insert Check Valves

Threaded Insert check valves are designed to fit into some other existing device like a valve, manifold, vessel wall or perhaps another fitting. This makes them suitable for a broad number of applications which need a fluid checking function. For example, they are used in vent ports to prevent spills and in one-way fill or injector ports. 

Incorporated into pneumatic systems in miniature environments, Threaded Insert Check Valves can help control actuators and system components. A robotic hand, such as used in circuit board production, is an example.

Applications for these miniature check valves can also be found in equipment used in the medical field and for biomedical research.

Have questions regarding your Check Valves application? Call 203.261.6711

whitepaper cover- Small Check Valves, Big Performance

Download our white paper posted on the Resources page for a more detailed look at uses of small and miniature Check Valves in industry.

WHITEPAPER

Small Check Valves, Big Performance

Widely used in industry, Check Valves are designed to allow “free” flow in one direction and prohibit flow in the reverse direction. This function is necessary for proper operation of the system in a very broad range of applications. For example, in sewer lines, large check valves are employed to keep waste flowing in only one direction. In aircraft hydraulic systems, smaller check valves are used to control the actuators in landing gear, among other uses.

These two examples highlight the SIZE difference needed in check valves for industrial applications. In our whitepaper, we focus on the advantages that small and miniature check valves bring to a wide array of industrial operations.

Call us to get your technical questions answered: 203.261.6711

Used Worldwide for Fluid Checking Applications 

O’Keefe Controls Co. has remained a leader in providing small and miniature Check Valves. These precisely engineered devices are offered in numerous configurations to address the broad range of small and miniature industrial applications that exist. They pass stringent quality control testing, ensuring reliable, long-life performance.

With a quality management system that is ISO 9001:2015 registered, all processes are held to the highest standards of quality. But perhaps of even greater benefit to our customers, the engineers at O’Keefe Controls Co. are technical experts in the field — knowledgeable about not only our products, but also the science behind their use. As such, we are able to assist customers in diverse practical applications across the industrial, analytical and medical sciences landscape. In all we do, we stand proudly by our tagline: If it’s about precision, it’s O’Keefe.