History of the ‘Basic-Check’ Valve

Since its initial development, the check valve has evolved from a classified request from the U.S. Navy to becoming a staple in flow control systems, allowing operators to easily stop reverse flow and water hammer while providing tight metal-to-metal closure. Some of the first all-stainless steel valves were engineered for use with cryogenic liquids and facilitated the development of the first nuclear weapons. Since then, check valves have grown into a fundamental element of fluid system design across a range of applications.

Roots in Reliability: Durabla® & the U.S. Navy

Originally known as Durabla Manufacturing Company, which manufactured pump valves, Durabla developed a reputation early on in the industry for both superior quality and innovation. Eventually, the company would split into Durabla Fluid Technology (DFT®), which focuses on check valves, and Triangle Pump Components Inc., another division dedicated to reciprocating pump components production. 

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Durabla nurtured a strong relationship with the U.S. Navy, which eventually requested a classified internal check valve design that could hold up in cryogenic temperatures. 

A Classified Beginning: The Birth of the Basic Check Valve

With the Government’s request for a unique temperature-resistant valve for the then-classified Manhattan Project, the concept of the Basic-Check Valve was born. This iteration of the valve could withstand some of the lowest temperatures and provide tight closure to keep equipment functioning properly in a cryogenic environment. 

The uniquely durable and lightweight disc-shaped design of the Triangle Pump pump valves enabled them to last longer, which led the Military to request a similarly designed check valve that could replace less reliable elastomer valves for use with cryogenic liquids.

Declassified & Delivered: Post-War Innovation

By the early 1950s, the U.S. government had disclosed the Manhattan Project to the public, allowing for further development of DFT®’s proprietary check valve design.  The basic check valve design worked across numerous applications involving extreme temperatures. Unlike elastomeric designs, these check valves could withstand high and low temperatures in many commercial and industrial environments, making them a standard option for various industries.

Legacy & Evolution

In the years since its declassification and widespread commercialization, the basic check valve has evolved in different ways to meet applications’ varying needs.

For example, some DFT® clients have requested a valve that would remain closed until it reached a specific pressure level, which led DFT® to develop a restrictor check for use in steam systems and other applications. This involved installing a stronger spring in the existing basic check valve design. The reliable design of the basic check valve also contributed to a vacuum breaker design that could prevent steam leakage in textile systems and ensure the valve opened reliably.

Today, the versatility and overall quality of DFT®’s basic check valve design has become a go-to solution in the industry – setting DFT® apart for the company’s consistent quality, reliability, and performance. You can now find these valves in the following:

• Autoclaves
• Cooling towers
• Cookers
• Chemical lines
• Evaporators
• Hydraulic lines
• Refrigeration
• And more

Innovation over the years

DFT® continues to innovate with different variations of the basic check valve design. One such innovation entailed the development of our SCV Check Valve, which consolidates two components into a single one to prevent water hammer and provide tight closure in 1/2″ to 3″ pipes. Through this innovation, the company continues to honor its roots by ensuring the ongoing quality and reliability of DFT®’s check valve design.

Reliable Check Valves From DFT® Inc.

What began as a little-known component for an exclusive research enterprise has since grown into a globally ubiquitous product. DFT®’s basic check valve continues to be installed and used in many systems, with multiple iterations of its design across several high-quality DFT® products. Whether you need one of our in-stock items or a special order to meet your unique application requirements, we’re here to direct you toward the right solution.

Want to find out more about our check valves and control valves? Contact us today to speak with a member of our team or request a quote for a standard or custom order.