Amot thermostatic valves are chosen for new Royal Navy carrier

Eleven Amot Type B bronze thermostatic control valves are to be installed on the main chilled water plants of the UK’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. The biggest and most powerful surface warships ever to be constructed for the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are due to enter service in 2014 and 2016.

According to Amot, key benefits of the B-type valves include simple low-cost installation and maintenance, with no requirement for an external power source. The valves also benefit from a robust design capable of withstanding high vibration and shock levels. Being supplied through refrigeration company J & E Hall, they are designed to provide a ‘fit and forget’ solution, since no user settings are needed.

Temperature control is facilitated by the expansion of a wax/copper mixture highly sensitive to temperature changes. Large forces are created which constantly modulate the sliding valve to regulate flow and control temperature accurately. A further benefit is that the unit is not disturbed by sudden pressure surges, enabling it to maintain a stable temperature over a wide range of operating conditions, claims the company. MP