CUSTOM CHECK VALVES HELP REGULATE FLUID PRESSURE, PROVIDING PRECISE SYSTEM CONTROL TO REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS.

As performance standards in the U.S., Europe and Asia continue to become more stringent for automakers, stop/start systems are increasingly important in reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Precisely regulating fluid pressure enables the stop/start function to be as seamless as possible and ensures the driving experience remains high, while emissions and fuel consumption remain low.

Due to the complexity in advanced stop/start system designs, automakers are increasingly turning to custom components – such as customized check valves from SFC KOENIG® – to regulate and optimize fluid pressure, all of which can now happen in the fraction of a second.

Stop/start systems have two critical data points that check valves must achieve – the sealing pressure and the release pressure. Because of the complexity of surrounding assemblies and systems, customizing the check valve component is often the best way to adapt to design and performance requirements.

SFC KOENIG engineers work within geometric allowances and make adjustments to the check valve design, modifying the orifice size and cracking pressure to achieve the desired outcome.

“First, we work directly with the automaker to design a part that will achieve the correct performance criteria. While all of our designs are proven ‘on paper,’ SFC KOENIG has developed advanced in-house testing procedures to provide performance results that automakers can fully rely on,” noted David Ramirez, Application Engineer at SFC KOENIG. “Our in-house process often includes putting the part into a manifold and testing it. In the case of a start/stop system, we precisely record the time it takes to achieve and hold a pressure, and the time it takes to release a pressure, with computerized systems. We graphically-chart the results to show how the pressure is held or released over time. This testing is highly accurate and provides the results automakers require.”

After in-house testing, often a series of check valve protypes will be installed by the automaker, with SFC KOENIG engineers there to assist in process development, installation and review.

“With a global team of engineers experienced in the latest automotive design innovations, our team works with customers throughout the process to ensure our parts perform as expected,” continued Ramirez. “Beyond part customization, customers know SFC KOENIG components are often the best solution when evaluating total costs. Our commitment to quality extends well beyond our components, but to service and support until the final stage of design, avoiding performance and warranty problems down the road.”

Custom-engineered solutions are often required to solve challenges in advanced automotive designs, particularly with the ever-increasing complexity of systems. SFC KOENIG increasingly receives requests for custom solutions, in fact, these requests have more than doubled in recent years, with the number of custom projects expected to continue to rise.

With the ability to not only provide custom products and prototypes, but to provide highly accurate data and testing documentation, solutions that improve automotive performance and at the same time promote sustainability are keeping pace with this fast-moving industry.

Learn more about our custom solutions.