Many gym-goers are familiar with hydraulic combination machines. For example, leg extension and leg curl, or abdominal and back trainers, each combined in a single machine. The alternating directions of movement are made possible by hydraulic cylinders with check valves. When the valve is closed, the sealing, hardened valve plate is pressed onto the valve seat by a spring, producing a clicking sound. In an industrial environment, this cannot be heard and is not disruptive. But in the peaceful environment of a physiotherapy practice, a constantly repeating “clicking” noise can quickly become annoying.
The solution:
After the training equipment manufacturer consulted with Bott, it quickly became clear: The sealing principle, which leads to the “clicking noise” of Bott’s standard check valves, is only one of several possible methods for preventing backflow. The experts at Bott suggested a better solution: ball-type check valves. In contrast to the standard version, the valve sealing seat is not made of steel, but is instead made of a special plastic that acts as an elastic sealing seat. This completely eliminates the noise and it is silent at the “turning point.”
The smart advantage:
For the smart hydraulics specialists, it is not unusual for special solutions to suddenly become standards. The ball design was developed some time ago as a special solution for a very specific application. This meant it was ready for immediate use.