A REVIEW OF HIGH-PRESSURE WATER-DRIVEN VALVE ACTUATORS: MECHANISMS, CYLINDERS, MATERIALS, AND SEALING TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial technologies has spurred a significant resurgence of interest in water hydraulics, particularly for high-pressure applications in sensitive environments such as nuclear power, food processing, and underwater robotics. This review examines high-pressure water-driven valve actuators, focusing on the design, materials, and sealing technologies of the driving cylinders. Gear-rack actuators serve as the primary case study, reflecting their widespread use in quarter-turn valve service, and are compared with alternative rotary and linear actuation mechanisms. The paper analyzes the challenges posed by water as a working fluid, including its low viscosity, poor lubricity, and high corrosivity, and surveys current solutions in material science and surface engineering. A detailed analysis covers the selection of materials for cylinders and rods, the application of surface coatings such as Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and nano-composite CrN (CNC) for wear and corrosion resistance, and the development of sealing technologies. The review places particular emphasis on seal material compatibility, with a comparative analysis of elastomers such as Nitrile Rubber (NBR), Fluoroelastomer (FKM), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), and Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM), and the adoption of advanced polymers such as Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and filled Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). By synthesizing recent research and engineering practice, this paper is intended as a reference for researchers and engineers working on high-performance water hydraulic systems.