Body - The component of a pinch valve that secures the tubing.

Closed State - The state a pinch valve is in when the tubing is pinched.

Continuous Duty - Energizing a solenoid valve at a constant level of power for its entire on-time.

Dashpot - A mechanical device used to decrease plunger velocity for controlling noise.

Digital Position Sensor - A type of position sensor whose voltage output has only two states.

Durometer - A standard for quantifying the hardness of rubber, plastic, and other non-metallic materials. Typical hardness of flexible tubing ranges from 50 to 70 Durometer on the "A" scale.

Duty Cycle - The relationship between the energized and non-energized time of an electric pinch valve usually expressed as a percentage (%). Duty cycle is determined by (ON time) / (ON time + Off time). For example if a pinch valve is energized for 1 second out of 4 seconds, the duty cycle is 1/(1+3) = 1/4 = 25%.

Feedback - The output from a position sensor indicating the position, or state, of the valve.

Hall Effect Sensor (Hall Sensor) - A type of position sensor that senses magnetic field strength and produces a voltage that changes with this strength. Hall sensors can have digital or analog outputs.

Heat Rise - The rise in temperature above ambient that results from operating an electric pinch valve at predetermined conditions.

Manual Override - A button that allows the valve's state to be changed manually.

Media - The substance that flows through the tubing, either a gas, liquid, powder, or slurry.

Media Pressure - The pressure of the media inside the tubing.

Micro Switch - A type of digital position sensor that is mechanically linked to a valve.

Multi-State Sensing -Detects the following valve states: 1) Power off; 2) Tube Out (valve closed, tubing removed); 3) Tube in (valve closed, tubing inserted); 4) Part open (pinch head partially disengaged); 5) Full open (pinch head fully disengaged).

Normally-Closed (N/C) valve - A pinch valve that in which the tubing is pinched in the de-energized state.

Normally-Open (N/O) valve - A pinch valve in which the tubing is not pinched in the de-energized state.

Open State - The state a pinch valve is in when the tubing is not pinched.

Pinch Force - The force exerted by the pinch valve on the tubing in the CLOSED state.

Pinch Gap - The distance between opposed pinching surfaces when a pinch valve is closed.

Pinch valve - A device used to pinch and unpinch flexible tubing for the purpose of controlling flow.

Pinching Surfaces - The surfaces of components in a pinch valve that pinch the tubing, usually the pinch ridge and plunger.

Plunger - The component of a pinch valve that translates during a change of state and pinches the tubing.

Pneumatic Pinch Valves - A type of pinch valve that uses pneumatic pressure to actuate the plunger.

Position Sensing - Using electronic sensors to monitor the valve's position and provide electronic feedback indicating the valve's position to a human user or computer.

Pneumatic Operator -Typically a 3-way solenoid valves used to send actuating air pressure to a Pneumatic Pinch Valve.

Pulse and Hold - A technique for increasing performance of solenoid valves by minimizing power consumption and heat generation. The valve is opened with a pulse of DC power and held open at reduced power.

Snap-In Tube Loading - A feature of Acro pinch valves that allows tubing to be installed in the valve without requiring a free end; the middle of the tubing "snaps in" the body.

Splash Seals -Internal plunger seal and external mounting seal guards against spills and debris, prevents contaminants from entering valve, allows for cleaning without disassembly.

Solenoid Pinch Valves - A type of pinch valve that employs electrical energy and a solenoid to actuate the plunger.

Stroke - The distance the plunger translates during a change in state.

Total Opening - The distance between opposed pinching surfaces when a pinch valve is open.

Tube Slot - A slot in the side of the body for tubing to pass through.