There is a historically listed house in Cincinnati called the Frederick Lunkenheimer House so, presumably, the guy was well known for something? He was, in fact, an engineering innovator and entrepreneur from Cincinnati during the heyday of steam power. He started his first company in 1862 to manufacture parts for steamboats and military equipment. He named his initial business venture the Cincinnati Brass Works. In time, Frederick was joined by his son Edmund and the company was renamed as the Lunkenheimer Valve Company. Although no longer owned or operated by the Lunkenheimer family, the Lunkenheimer brand name still exists to this day and many Lunkenheimer Valves are still manufactured at the Cincinnati Lunkenheimer Plant and Foundry which has been in continuous operation since 1862. The plant is operated by Cincinnati Valve Companywhich was set up in 1994 as the licensee for Lunkenheimer Valves.
The original Lunkenheimer Valves were for steam use particularly associated with boiler control applications but the company also produced other items such as steam whistles and engine oilers. Today’s Lunkenheimer Valves are produced in a variety of designs and materials to serve most fluid flow control purposes. These include:-
- ball valves
- gate valves
- globe valves
- butterfly valves
- needle valves
- angle valves
- along with various types of safety and check valves.
They have a reputation for quality products and Lukenheimer Valves Company Product meet major pressure vessel codes and requirements from organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Installing A Valve
Since valves are used to control the flow of fluids, most valves will be connected to fluid carrying pipes. The valve can be supplied with inlet and outlet flanges to match the standard of flanges on the pipeline. Another installation method is to have the valve threaded so as to mate up with threads cut in the pipe.
Operating A Valve
Many valves are operated through a valve stem which can be rotated through an arrangement that causes the stem to rise or fall with a helical motion which moves the seating part of the valve from its open to its closed position. In many cases, the operation is carried out by hand when the operator turns the wheel located outside the valve at the top of its stem. For remote or inaccessible operation, the movement can come from an electric motor or a hydraulic ram. Lunkenheimer Valves are available with either hand or mechanical actuation options.