No, RAVEqc quick-connect air valves use a different sealing mechanism as described below.
- RAVE and RAVEn air sampling valves are both diaphragm (or membrane) valves that seal by actuating a flexible metal diaphragm so that it either presses against a contoured seat within the valve—closing it—or it is released and flexes away from the seat, opening the valve to flow.
- Male and female RAVEqc quick-connect air valves create a seal by pressing special pistons against O-rings using internal springs to close the valve ends; this is the resting state when the valves are not connected. When the male and female valves are connected, the springs are compressed, which shifts the pistons and allows flow through a special channel that is also sealed by the O-rings.
Note that the O-rings contained within RAVEqc valves are made of Viton and do not off-gas under typical air sampling conditions, and, therefore, do not create background contamination. The O-ring is also chemically inert and will not negatively interact with any sample that is compatible with Viton material.
