Jun 01, 2021 Instrument Supply Regulator
Instrument supply regulator is typically used to provide constantly controlled, reduced pressures to pneumatic and electro-pneumatic controllers and other instruments. These direct-operated regulators are suitable for most air or gas applications. Other applications include providing pressures to air chucks, air jets and spray guns.
Instrument Supply Regulator is available through Quick Time Engineering Inc.
Pressure Regulator
A Pressure Regulator is a device that controls the pressure of liquids or gases (medium) by reducing a high input pressure to controlled lower output pressure. They also work to maintain a constant output pressure even when there are fluctuations in the inlet pressure.
Pressure regulators, in various forms, are used in many domestic and industrial applications, like regulating propane used in gas grills, regulating oxygen in healthcare equipment, supplying compressed air in industrial applications, regulating fuel in automotive engines and aerospace applications. The main aspect that is common across all these applications is pressure control – from a higher source pressure to lower output pressure.
Basic elements of a pressure regulator
A typical pressure regular consists of the following elements:
- A pressure reducing element such as a poppet valve.
- A loading element to apply the 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
There are two types of pressure regulators, direct operated or self-operated and pilot operated pressure regulators.
Direct operated regulators are the simplest form of regulators. They normally operate at lower set pressures, below 0,07 bar (1 psi) and can have greater accuracy. At higher pressures, up to 35 bar (500 psi), they can have 10-20% accuracy levels.
Direct operated regulators are self-contained, that is, they do not require an external sensing line at the output in order to operate effectively. They consist of a spring-actuated valve that is directly controlled by a diaphragm assembly. Energy or pressure from the flowing medium works to activate the diaphragm. The increasing downstream pressure acts on the diaphragm, which closes the valve plug by compressing the spring. This closes the valve. As downstream pressure falls, the spring force is now greater than the force of the medium acting on the diaphragm and the valve opens.
Pilot operated regulators on the other hand are ideal for applications with large variation 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.
This type of regulator is generally a one or two-stage device. A single-stage regulator is ideal for a 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 reduced pressure through the outlet valve.
Double-stage pilot operated regulators provide accurate regulation for a wide range of pressures and capacities. These regulators can be used with only clean fluids or gases as small passages and ports can get clogged. This arrangement results in a stable and sustained outlet pressure from the second stage despite pressure drops in the first stage.
Pressure Regulator is available through Quick Time Engineering Inc.
Quick Time Engineering Inc is an international company with offices and distribution networks in the USA, Hong Kong, Europe and Malaysia.
In its 20 years of operation since 1998, Quick Time Engineering Inc had emerged from a local engineering company with a single staff that provided solutions in factory automation to become nowadays a company that serves the Oil & Gas industries, EPC contractors, System Integrators and other industrial automation and process control companies worldwide. Customers from over 50 countries worldwide trust us with their need for process control instruments and industrial automation products.
For more information about Quick Time Engineering Inc, visit www.quicktimeonline.com or email enquiry@quicktimeonline.com
