Understanding Pressure Regulators: How They Work

Understanding Pressure Regulators: How They Work

December 14, 2020

Though there are pressure regulators on appliances throughout the standard home, many people don’t know what purpose these components serve. In industrial capacities, pressure regulators ensure the safe operation of vital pieces of equipment. So, if you’re wondering how an air pressure regulator works in San Jose, CA, read on to find the answer to your question.

What does a pressure regulator do?

Even though you’ve heard of pressure regulators, you still might not know what these devices do when connected to any type of machinery. Breaking down its name reveals most of what you need to know: they regulate the pressure of gases like air. Attaching a pressure regulator to a piece of equipment decreases pressure from a high input source, so the gas flows at the right pressure. Additionally, pressure regulators ensure a consistent output pressure that meets the needs of the task.

Deconstructing a pressure regulator

So how does a gas pressure regulator work in San Jose, CA? To understand that, we need to disassemble a pressure regulator to see the various parts that allow this device to do its job. The basic parts of this devices include an inlet, an outlet and a manual pressure adjustment. As for the mechanisms that control pressure within the regulator:

  • Pressure-reducing element: In most regulators, a spring-loaded poppet valve serves as the pressure-reducing element. For high-pressure applications, poppet valves use thermoplastic sealing to close off the valve seating against the flow of gas. The spring within the valve opens and closes as necessary to allow for the correct flow of air or other gases from the inlet to the outlet.
  • Sensing element: Depending on the application, you may require a pressure regulator equipped with either a piston, membrane or diaphragm. The sensing element measures how much gas or air pressure moves through the regulator.
  • Loading element: As pressure within the regulator either increases or decreases, the loading element exerts pressure on the sensing element to open the pressure-reducing part. In most cases, adjusting the loading element determines the amount of air or gas pressure that moves through the regulator.

Pressure regulator applications

You might not realize it, but many of the appliances you depend on use pressure regulators. From fueling your car’s engine to the compressed air you use on the job, there are endless applications for pressure regulators. Automotive, welding, cutting, aerospace, medical and domestic equipment couldn’t perform their functions without pressure regulators. Available in different sizes and constructed in various ways, pressure regulators make your life easier, often without your realizing it.

Buying industrial pressure regulators

Now that you know how an air pressure regulator works in San Jose, CA, you have to find a supplier that sells the specific types you need for your industrial applications. For almost seven decades, Royal Brass Incorporated has sold the various pressure regulators required by industrial businesses throughout California. Our inventory includes a full range of Parker Hannifin products, the most trusted name in the industry.

To learn more about our stock of pressure regulators or if you have additional questions about how a gas pressure regulators work in San Jose, CA, get in touch with us today.

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