Today, pressure regulators have become the basic need of many domestic and industrial applications and processes. They are seen in almost all the places around us. A few of us will have the knowledge of the basic elements that let these devices perform their work accurately. These elements work collaboratively and make it possible for the flow control regulator to perform its key characteristic of reducing the incoming pressure.
Gas pressure regulators are used in a number of applications because of their ability to provide accurate pressure and maintain a constant state of pressure. For instance, they are used in home heating systems, large furnaces, medical and dental equipment, pneumatic systems and vehicles to regulate fuel etc. The function of the pressure regulators is the same in all places.
Below we have listed three basic elements of a low pressure gas regulator:
Loading Element:
This is one of the essential elements of the flow control regulator that empowers the user to set the value of the outlet pressure. This element provides a force that is applied to restrict the passage so that the required pressure can be maintained in the system. There are four types of loading elements including dome load, air load, spring load and the combinations of the dome/spring load. They all have their own specifications.
Sensing Element:
The sensing element of a flow control regulator is responsible for sensing any kind of variations that occur in the downstream pressure. When the fluid passes, it detects the fluctuations in pressure and sends the signal to the control element. Basically, it is a physical link between the loading and control elements. There are total three types of sensing elements that are: piston, diaphragm and bellows. Diaphragm is the most cost-effective and good for small applications because of its simple design and sensitivity.
Control Element:
This is the final element of a pressure regulator that actually controls the pressure and retains constant pressure throughout the system. This is a crucial element of the flow control regulators. It reads the signal of the sensing element and performs the necessary amendments in the size of the orifice by changing the position of the valve so that the required pressure can be maintained as per the need of the user. It moves the valve toward or away from the seat of the electronic air pressure regulator to expand or restrict the passage. In this way, the control element keeps doing changes in the size of the orifice as per the need so that a constant state of pressure can be maintained for the completion of the work.
Final Words:
A flow control regulator plays a vital role in various applications. Having the proper knowledge about pressure regulators makes it possible to get the desired performance. With its help, one can easily solve common electronic pressure regulator issues. Above we listed three essential elements of a pressure regulator that work collaboratively to provide the desired results.