Oil & Gas
Pipeline, refinery, and terminal isolation on butterfly, ball, and gate valves.
Quarter Turn · 90° · ISO 5211
Quarter-turn worm gear operators convert handwheel effort into a controlled 90° rotation for butterfly, ball, and plug valves. The self-locking worm-and-wheel set multiplies input torque, holds the disc or ball at any position, and mounts to ISO 5211 top-flanges. Matson single-stage models cover catalog output torque from 200 N·m (M07) to 4,400 N·m (M16) on F05–F25 interfaces.
Application Foundation
A quarter-turn worm gear operator rotates a valve stem 90° between fully open and fully closed — the standard interface for butterfly, ball, and plug valves. The worm-and-wheel gearing multiplies handwheel torque so an operator can seat or unseat large discs by hand, while the self-locking worm geometry prevents the valve from drifting under flow or vibration.
Size a quarter-turn operator from the valve break-to-open torque at design pressure, applying a 1.25–1.5× safety factor, then match the ISO 5211 flange and stem bore. The Matson M00 single-stage range below lists catalog output torque, ratio, input torque, maximum bore, ISO 5211 flange options, and weight for models M07 through M16.
Engineering Data
| Model | Output Torque (N·m) | Ratio | Input Torque (N·m) | Max Bore (mm) | ISO 5211 Flange | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M07 | 200 | 40:1 | 19 | 35 | F05, F07, F10 | 3.1 |
| M10 | 500 | 42:1 | 45 | 35 | F07, F10 | 6.2 |
| M12 | 1000 | 42:1 | 90 | 40 | F10, F12, F14 | 11 |
| M14 | 1800 | 60:1 | 100 | 45 | F12, F14, F16 | 14 |
| M14A | 2500 | 70:1 | 130 | 60 | F14, F16 | ~22 |
| M15 | 3400 | 60:1 | 165 | 80 | F14, F16 | 32 |
| M16 | 4400 | 88:1 | 169 | 85 | F16, F25 | 44 |
Source: Hebei Matson Metal Tech worm gearbox catalog (M00 single-stage, manual quarter-turn). Values are catalog nominal figures; exact dimensions and drive-bushing details are confirmed per order — request a datasheet.
| ISO 5211 Flange | Typical Valve Size Band* | Common Valve Families | Matson Models Offering This Flange |
|---|---|---|---|
| F05 | Small bore | Ball, plug, small butterfly | M07 |
| F07 | Small–medium bore | Butterfly (wafer), ball, plug | M07, M10 |
| F10 | Medium bore | Butterfly, ball, plug | M07, M10, M12 |
| F12 | Medium bore | Butterfly (lug), ball, gate top-work | M12, M14 |
| F14 | Medium–large bore | Butterfly, trunnion ball, gate | M12, M14, M14A, M15 |
| F16 | Large bore | Butterfly (double flange / AWWA), ball, gate | M14, M14A, M15, M16 |
| F25 | Heavy / large bore | Large AWWA butterfly, high-pressure ball, large gate | M16 |
*Valve size band is indicative only — actual flange depends on the valve manufacturer's top-work, stem, and torque rating. Flange and Matson single-stage model data are from the Matson worm gearbox catalog (M07–M16, 200–4,400 N·m). Two-stage and electric-actuator series extend up to 160,000 N·m. Confirm the exact flange against your valve datasheet.
Operation
Quarter-turn worm gear operators use a worm on the input shaft driving a worm wheel keyed to the valve stem. One worm thread advances the wheel by one tooth per revolution, so ratios of roughly 40:1 to 88:1 (per the Matson M07–M16 catalog) reduce a small handwheel input to high stem torque. Because the worm's lead angle is below the friction angle, the set is self-locking and the valve holds position when the handwheel is released.
Position indicators show open or closed travel, mechanical travel stops set the 90° end positions, and ISO 5211 drive bushings transmit torque to the stem. For actuated installations, the same quarter-turn footprint accepts a part-turn electric or pneumatic actuator in place of the handwheel.
Engineering
By Industry
Pipeline, refinery, and terminal isolation on butterfly, ball, and gate valves.
Intake, distribution, and process isolation valves in municipal and industrial plants.
Cooling-water, feedwater, and circulating-water valve actuation.
Slurry, tailings, and process water valves in abrasive duty.
Common Questions
A quarter-turn valve opens or closes with a 90° rotation of the stem. A butterfly disc, ball, or plug turns from full-open to full-closed in a single quarter revolution. A quarter-turn worm gear operator multiplies handwheel torque so an operator can move large discs by hand, and the self-locking worm holds the valve at any set position.
A quarter-turn operator rotates the stem 90° for butterfly, ball, and plug valves. A multi-turn operator needs many revolutions to drive a rising stem through its travel on gate and globe valves and is rated for axial thrust as well as torque. Selecting the wrong type causes insufficient travel or overload, so confirm valve type during sizing.
Yes. The worm-and-wheel geometry in a quarter-turn operator is self-locking when the worm lead angle is below the friction angle — the case for the Matson M07–M16 single-stage models. The valve holds position when the handwheel is released, with no separate brake, which keeps the disc from drifting under line pressure or vibration.
Use a quarter-turn gear operator when a butterfly, ball, or plug valve requires more torque than a bare handwheel can supply, or when controlled, repeatable seating is needed. It also provides an ISO 5211 base for later actuation. Size it to the valve break-to-open torque with a 1.25–1.5× safety factor.
The Matson M00 single-stage quarter-turn range covers catalog output torque from 200 N·m (model M07) to 4,400 N·m (model M16), with ISO 5211 flanges from F05 to F25 and maximum bores up to 85 mm. Two-stage units extend higher torque for large-bore valves — request a datasheet for the full table.
Send your butterfly, ball, or plug valve torque, stem bore, and ISO 5211 flange. We match a Matson single-stage model (M07–M16, 200–4,400 N·m) or a larger unit and confirm the interface against your valve datasheet.