The Basics
Pressure regulators prevent gas outages by switching supply cylinders over to the reserve cylinder automatically when the primary cylinder is near empty. It is important to understand safety features and how they work together to afford maximum protection and convenience. Regulator systems are designed to provide a continuous flow of gas, preventing outages, and wasted gas.
A typical pressure regulator consists of the following elements:
- A pressure reducing element such as a poppet valve.
- A loading element to apply necessary force to the reducing element such as a spring, piston actuator or a diaphragm actuator.
- A sensing element such as a diaphragm or a piston.
Types of Pressure Regulators
Pressure regulators can be broadly classified into the following categories: Direct Operated, Self-operated or Pilot Operated. Direct Operated regulators are the simplest form of regulators, while Pilot Operated regulators are ideal for applications with large variations in flow rates, fluctuations in inlet pressure, or decreasing inlet pressure conditions that normally occur with gas supplied in cylinders or small storage tanks. It provides precise pressure control.
Pilot Operated regulators are generally a one or two stage device. A single-stage regulator is ideal for relatively small reduction in pressure. They are not suitable where there are large fluctuations in inlet pressure or flow rates. A double-stage regulator is the most commonly used type of pilot operated regulator. The first stage consists of a spring actuated pilot that controls the pressure on the diaphragm of the main regulating valve. As long as the pressure of the medium on the spring actuated pilot is low, there is no flow downstream. As the pressure increases, the spring is compressed and the pilot valve opens, creating a pressure differential between the inlet side of the main regulating valve and the output valve. This pressure differential actuates the main operating valve and flow occurs at a reduced pressure through the outlet valve.
Functions of Pressure Regulators
Other than reducing input pressures, there are many other functions that pressure regulators can perform. Backpressure regulators and pressure relief valves are used to limit system pressure to a prescribed maximum by diverting some or all quantity of fluid or gas coming from the pump to the tank, when the set pressure is reached. A backpressure regulator maintains a desired input pressure through adjusting the flow of fluid or gas in response to a change in input pressure.
- Pressure switching valves are used in pneumatic logic systems. These valves are either 2/2-way or 3/2-way switching.
- Vacuum regulators are used to control vacuum. A vacuum regulator maintains a constant vacuum at regulator inlet with a higher vacuum connected to the outlet.
- Household regulators are used in gas grills, gas ovens pressure cookers, pressure vessels, and home heating furnaces.
- Compresses air regulators are used industrially, commercially, and in workshops for cleaning, powering certain tools, inflating tires, and much more.
Pressure regulators are more common than people think. People count on their functionality more than they know, and sometimes without even knowing it. Since there are so many types of regulators, it’s important to know the criteria of the type of regulator needed for the business involved.
Types of Regulators That We Supply
The Del Rio Company supplies high quality hydraulic and gas pressure regulators from industry leaders, such as Premier Industries, AP Tech and many more. We can provide pressure regulators from 1/8″ to 24″ for any application, whether it is ground, subsea, or aeronautical. We specifically offer pressure regulators from vacuum to 20k psi for gas or liquid; specialty gas cylinders for demand flow regulators, and automatic changeover regulators.
In some cases, we are also able to provide custom fabrication and ordering depending on your needs. We can supply the pressure regulator you require.
Give us a call to talk about how we can supply specific business solutions for your project.
