GE Masoneilan 37, Masoneilan 38 Instruction Manual

GE Oil & Gas

Model 37/38

Masoneilan* Spring-Diaphragm Actuators
Instruction Manual

GE Data Classification: Public

© 2015 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

2 | GE Oil & Gas

© 2015 General Elec tric Compa ny. All right s reserved.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR WITH IMPORTANT PROJECT-SPECIFIC REFERENCE
INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR’S NORMAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
PROCEDURES. SINCE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHILOSOPHIES VARY, GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO DICTATE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES, BUT TO
PROVIDE BASIC LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS CREATED BY THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT PROVIDED.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ASSUME THAT OPERATORS ALREADY HAVE A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE OPERATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN POTENTIALLY
HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS. THEREFORE, THESE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AND APPLIED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE AT THE SITE AND THE PARTICULAR
REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF OTHER EQUIPMENT AT THE SITE.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT PURPORT TO COVER ALL DETAILS OR VARIATIONS IN EQUIPMENT NOR TO
PROVIDE FOR EVERY POSSIBLE CONTINGENCY TO BE MET IN CONNECTION WITH INSTALLATION, OPERATION
OR MAINTENANCE. SHOULD FURTHER INFORMATION BE DESIRED OR SHOULD PARTICULAR PROBLEMS ARISE
WHICH ARE NOT COVERED SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR'S PURPOSES THE MATTER SHOULD BE
REFERRED TO GE.

THE RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES OF GE AND THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO
THOSE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLY OF THE EQUIPMENT. NO ADDITIONAL
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES BY GE REGARDING THE EQUIPMENT OR ITS USE ARE GIVEN OR IMPLIED BY
THE ISSUE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FURNISHED TO THE CUSTOMER/ OPERATOR SOLELY TO ASSIST IN THE
INSTALLATION, TESTING, OPERATION, AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED. THIS
DOCUMENT SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF GE.

Masoneilan 37-38 Se ries Actuators Instruction Manual | 3

© 2015 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Description

Effective

Area (sq. in.)

11

71

1

13

105

1 ½

15

145

2

18

200

2 ½

18L

200

4

Life Period

The Masoneilan 37/38 spring-diaphragm
actuator is a simple, powerful, mechanical device.
There are two general types: Air-to-Extend Stem
and Air-to-Retract Stem. Actuators are designated
by case size: Nos. 9, 11, 13, 15, 18 and 18L.

The nominal range of a spring-diaphragm
actuator is the air pressure range in pounds per
square inch (psi) for rated stroke under no load.
Common ranges are 3–15 psi and 6–30 psi. The
spring range and maximum allowable supply
pressure are marked on the serial plate. For a 3–
15 psi nominal range, the stem will start to stroke
when the air pressure reaches 3 psi, and will
complete the stroke when the pressure reaches
15 psi (plus or minus 5%).

In the air-to-extend actuator, conformation of the
molded diaphragm to the diaphragm plate serves
as a flexible upper guide for the actuator stem
(26). The lower guide is an oil-impregnated bronze
bushing (37) located in the spring adjustor (36).
The air-to-retract actuator differs from the air-to­extend unit in that the spring (22), spring barrel
(71) and spring adjustor (36) are located above the
diaphragm plate (40) and diaphragm (39) which
are inverted. A gasket (19) at the joint of the
diaphragm case and yoke and a packing box
aroun

d the actuator stem prevents air leakage.
The diaphragm acts as a flexible upper guide and
the packing box assembly as the lower guide for
the actuator stem.

Air connections are 1/4" NPT. Connections are
located in the upper diaphragm case (air-to­extend actuators) or yoke (air-to-retract actuators).

Standard

Actuator Size

9 45 ¾

4 | GE Oil & Gas

Diaphragm

Maximum

Stroke (in.)

The current estimated useful life period for the
Masoneilan 37/38 actuator is 25+ years. To
maximize the useful life of the product it is
essential to conduct annual inspections, routine
maintenance and ensure proper installation to
avoid any unintended stresses on the product. The
specific operating conditions and environmental
conditions will also impact the useful life of the
product. Consult the factory for guidance on
specific applications if required prior to installation.

Maintenance

Air-to-Extend Actuators (Type 37)

Diaphragm Replacement

Before disassembling the actuator, all spring
compression should be relieved by turning the spring
adjustor (36), to prevent the upper case popping up
when the cap screws (45) are removed. This is
especially important on actuators with a high initial
spring setting. Remove cap screws (45), nuts (46) and
upper diaphragm case (43). Remove nut (30) and
washer (41) to release the diaphragm (39). If possible,
the replacement diaphragm should be of the molded
type supplied by GE Masoneilan, but in an
emergency
stock for up to and including No. 15 actuators. To
allow sufficient stroke without restriction due to
flatness of the diaphragm, the diaphragm bolt circle
should be about 10% greater than that of the
diaphragm case.

Replace washer (41), nut (30) and upper diaphragm
case.

Spring Adjustment

An air supply, with a gauge and regulator, should be
piped to the upper diaphragm case for this
adjustment. Adjust spring compression so that the
actuator stem (26) just begins to move when air
pressure reaches minimum pressure of the range
stamped on the serial plate. This movement is most
easily detected by feeling the stem as air pressure is
applied.

Note: Adjust spring compression only when there is
no air pressure on diaphragm.

a diaphragm may be cut from flat sheet

© 2015 General Elec tric Compa ny. All right s reserved.

Air-to-Retract Actuators (Type 38)

Diaphragm Replacement

The procedure is the same as for air-to-extend
actuators except that the entire upper case
assembly (including spring barrel (71), spring (22),
spring seats (33 and 34), nut (30) and diaphragm
plate (40) must be removed to release the
diaphragm. Install a new diaphragm and
reassembly the above parts.

Spring Adjustment

The procedure is identical with that for air-to­extend actuators except that supply air is piped to
the 1/4" port in the yoke.

Packing Box

The packing box is subject to low air pressure only
and requires minimum maintenance.
The packing rings have a square section and are
made of carbon core with braided PTFE jacket. The
packing may be added to or completely replaced
without disassembling either the actuator or the
mechanism (or valve) to which it is attached. Be
sure to tighten packing nut (20) lightly. Over­tightening will cause excessive friction, resulting in
sluggish performance.

Masoneilan 37-38 Se ries Actuators Instruction Manual | 5

© 2015 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Air-to-Extend Actuators (Type 37)

Case Nos. 9, 11 & 13 Case Nos. 15, 18 & 18L

Air-to-Retract Actuators (Type 38)

Case Nos. 9, 11 & 13 Case Nos. 15, 18 & 18L

6 | GE Oil & Gas

© 2015 General Elec tric Compa ny. All right s reserved.

Parts Reference

Ref.

No.

**

15
17
18

**

19
20
21
22

22A

26
30
31

**

Recommended spare parts

Part Name

Gasket (packing box)
Yoke
Cap Screw (L case to yoke)
Gasket (L case to yoke)
Packing Nut
Snap Ring
Actuator Spring
Actuator Spring
Actuator Stem
Nut (actuator stem)
Packing Box

Computer

Abbrev.

GASKET
YOKE
CAP SCR
GASKET
PKG NUT
SNP RNG
ACT SPR
ACT SPR
ACT STM
NUT
PKG BOX

Ref.

No.

**

32
33
34
35
36
37

**

39
40
41
43
44

Part Name

Packing
Spring Seat (upper)
Spring Seat (lower)
Pipe Plug
Spring Adjustor
Bushing (spring adjuster)
Diaphragm
Diaphragm Plate
Diaphragm Washer
Upper Diaphragm Case
Lower Diaphragm Case

Computer

Abbrev.

PACKING
USPR ST
LSPR ST
PIP PLG
SPR ADJ
BUSHING
DIAPHRM
DPH PLT
PDH WSH
U D CSE
L D CSE

Ref.
No.

45
46
56
57
70
71
72
73
74

Part Name

Cap Screw (diaph. case)
Nut (diaph. case)
Travel Indicator Scale
Machine Screw
Ball and Retainer
Spring Barrel
Spring Barrel Cap
Ball Bearing Race
Cap Screw (SBL to U D CSE)

Computer

Abbrev.

CAP SCR
NUT
T I SCL MCN
SCR BALL &
RTN SPR
BRL
SBL CAP
BBG RCE
CAP SCR

Masoneilan 37-38 Se ries Actuators Instruction Manual | 7

DISTRIBUTOR

E.P. & S. - FRANCE

24 bis rue de Picpus
75012 PARIS
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]

E.P. & S. - CAMEROON

Immeuble Carré d'Or, Rue Njo-Njo
Bonapriso, DOUALA
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]

Visit our web-site:

www.fr-eps.com

* Trademark of the General Electric Company.
Other company names and product names used in this document are
the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

© General Electric Company. All rights reserved.