How Does
How Does an Air Pressure Regulator Work?
Introduction
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An air pressure regulator controls the air pressure in whatever the air is flowing through. If hot air is flowing through a piping system and the air pressure is too weak, then the piping system can not move whatever is flowing through them. If the air pressure is to high then it will damage the vital parts of the piping system. The air regulator keeps it at a happy balance. Air pressure regulators are used in air compressors, medical oxygen tanks, and helium tanks used to blow up balloons, to name a few.
How an Air Pressure Regulator Works
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A large screw, known as the set screw, sets the pressure that is desired. It can do this by using the strength of the non-wetted steel springs. Those springs are linked to the main shaft. These springs are forced down this shaft. The valve seat is made to stay open because the springs are pushing down very hard. As the valve stays open, there is a small tube at the opening of the valve that helps move pressure into the pressure chamber. This pressure chamber has one major component, a large diaphragm that rolls as the pressure intensifies and then rolls back down when the pressure lets go.
When the pressure is increased, the diaphragm will roll opposite of the springs. When the air pressure is more than the springs can handle, the diaphragm takes charge over the springs. This will cause the springs to shrink together tightly and makes the main shaft move upward. The valve seat shuts off to the small tube at the opening of the valve. This will not let anymore pressure come through, and it will stay closed if the pressure is over what you have pre-determined with the screw that manipulates the springs. The majority of the time, regulators can find the right balance of pressure, so you just have to make sure that the pressure is consistent and stable. Also, you want the valve to remain opened a little and the pressure's force to go opposite of the diaphragm.
When pressure is regulated, the valve will open gradually and the springs will push the main shaft down once again. This will only happen if the air pressure falls below the the set pressure desired, which was designated in the beginning.
Disadvantages of an Air Pressure Regulator
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There are two things that they will not do. One, they will not act like a pump. They can not turn low inward pressure into higher pressure. You must buy a special piece to do this. Two, it will not handle back pressure.
Advantages of an Air Pressure Regulator
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There are actually two benefits of having an air pressure regulator. The first is that it helps with accuracy and can repeatedly match the springs to the range of pressure. The second one is that not all air pressure regulators use metals. The newer ones use all plastic, and this helps prevent corrosion. This is cost-effective and better for the environment,
eHow Article: How Does an Air Pressure Regulator Work?
