When the controlling medium is lost, what happens to a fail open valve?

A fail open valve is designed to open in the absence of a controlling medium, such as air, electric, or hydraulic signals. The primary purpose of this design is to ensure that, in the event of a failure or loss of the control signal, the valve will default to an open position. This is particularly important in processes where maintaining flow or preventing pressure buildup is critical for safety and operational integrity.

For instance, in the case of a cooling system, if a fail open valve were to close, it could lead to conditions that might cause equipment damage or dangerous situations. Hence, a fail open valve is engineered specifically to remain open, allowing fluid to pass through even when the control signal is lost. This fail-safe mechanism is key in ensuring systems remain operational and safe under fault conditions.