A field-proven and highly reliable “Gas-Under-Oil” actuator system with no associated gas emissions.  

ECAT Component Breakdown

• Limit Switch* — Position feedback
• Electrical Enclosure — Power terminations, indicator lamps, off/on switch
• Solenoids* — Remote control
• Electric Motor / Hydraulic Pump — Pumps hydraulic fluid into accumulator and thermal volume controller
• Actuator — Hydraulically powered; ¼-turn or linear
• Reservoir — Contains ECAT system hydraulic fluid
• Accumulator — Connected to pipeline gas; contains hydraulic power for one or two actuator strokes; re-injects gas back into the pipeline
• Control Panel — Local control; building block for control logic
• Hand Pump — Manual operation to open or close the actuator
• Thermal Volume Controller — Motor start/stop control; thermal compensation

*Optional

We design, build, and test the complete valve operating system, including the actuator, controls, and accessories. When you specify Shafer, you receive a complete system, factory tested and field proven, with the longest warranty in the industry. The Shafer™ ECAT is backed by a ten-year warranty.  

The Shafer ECAT can be operated locally, remotely, or automatically by a variety of sensory and control devices. We have developed over 4,000 individual control systems to meet our customers’ many requirements.

Typical ECAT applications include:

• Emergency shut down
• Mainline isolation
• Linebreak protection
• Remote valve control
• Station fire-gate and blowdown
• High/low pressure shutoff
• Prevention of mercaptan odor

The Shafer ECAT produces constant torque output over the full 90° valve rotation. Constant torque output is an exceptional performance advantage if abnormal, high-flow conditions are present, such as linebreak.  

The ECAT system can be configured as a versatile solution for both new actuators and upgrades of existing equipment. The ECAT gas re-injection system can be powered by utility electrical power, UPS systems, or solar power. This allows installation in remote areas where utility power may be unavailable or unreliable.  

The entire ECAT-based valve operating system is weatherproof and explosion-proof (Class I, Div I), with a standard temperature rating down to -20°F or an optional rating down to -50°F.  

Principle of Operations

The Shafer rotary vane actuator and conventional, field-proven control components are still used to provide torque output and the required valve control function. Refer to the Shafer RV-Series brochure (DOC.6P.SRV) for additional information.  

Sequence 1: Actuator Fully Charged, Ready to Close

The actuator is in the open position, awaiting a demand-to-close signal. The valve may be operated locally, remotely, or automatically by a variety of sensory and control devices. Until a demand signal is received, the piston accumulator remains fully charged at the same pressure as the pipeline.  

Sequence 2: Actuator Closing, Then Fully Closed

After the actuator receives a demand-to-close signal, its control system opens the flow paths to the rotary vane. Pressurized gas in the accumulator forces hydraulic fluid into the actuator’s closing port and powers the actuator clockwise. At the same time, non-pressurized fluid from the actuator’s opening port returns to the reservoir. The actuator then reaches the fully closed position. 

Sequence 3: Gas Re-Injection

After the closing stroke is complete, the ECAT system uses a compact electro-hydraulic motor and pump to re-inject power gas into the pipeline. The motor/pump starts automatically, forcing hydraulic fluid back into the accumulator. As the accumulator fills with fluid, the power gas is re-injected into the pipeline.

The motor runs only briefly during gas re-injection. Once the process is complete, the motor stops automatically and the system remains fully charged and ready to stroke. When an open command is received, the control directs the flow paths to rotate the actuator counter-clockwise, and the gas re-injection process repeats.