When it comes to a pneumatic system, pressure regulators play an essential role. Commonly called pressure reducing valves, are used to control the output pressure of the compressed air from a pneumatic system.
This happens regardless of the amount of compressed air is being pumped into the system, a regulator will manage the outlet based on the requirement.
These regulators are different from regular valves as they have features like sensors, control components and actuating. In simple words, these Pneumatic pressure regulators reduce the pressure that is being exerted out of the system, maintaining the air pressure required for that pneumatic equipment.
These pressure regulator, also called air line regulators, are considered part of reducing valves as mentioned earlier. A perfect example of such a pressure regulator would be Festo FRL unit that essentially is a combination of a Filter, Regulator and Lubricator, all in one unit. Festo Pressure Regulator is one of the best product if someone is looking for a quality regulator with multi-functional capability.
Let’s have a look at the factors where you need a pressure regulator:
- A pneumatic system where the air is supplied at a constant speed without considering the upwards pressure and variety of flow.
- When a system is working on a pressure much more than the required amount.
- Where safety is a priority by reducing the pressure in the cylinders.
- Where the system is needed to work for a long amount of time, as high pressure can easily reduce the lifetime of a system with wear and tears.
- Where a system is required to increase its effectiveness
- Where varying pressure is required at a different amount of time.
What Are The Types of Pressure Regulators?
- Unbalance Poppet Regulator
- Unbalance Poppet Regulator with Diaphragm Chamber
- Balanced Poppet with Diaphragm Chamber
- Remote Controlled Balanced Poppet
#1 Unbalanced Poppet Regulator
This type of regulator is a non-piloted regulator. The air enters from the top and flows around the poppet that exists near the opening. The Poppet is sealed at this moment. If you turn the screw that exist there for adjustment, the adjustment spring, in turn, forces the diaphragm to lower.
Because of this, the poppet opens up. Once that happens, the poppet accelerates the outlet that produces the required amount of pressure while restricting the flow. As the flow inside the system decreases, the spring and diaphragm is set back to normal.
#2 Unbalance Poppet Regulator with Diaphragm Chamber
In this case, the regulator is bigger than the one used in the previous system and also expensive than the last one. The main difference between this and the last one is, this one contains its very own diaphragm chamber because of which the diaphragm can be completely segregated from the airflow that protects the diaphragm from harsh air.
This system has a larger diaphragm than the last one, due to which higher force is produced, but also increases the sensitivity and response time of the regulator.
#3 Balanced Poppet with Diaphragm Chamber
There are no differences between the diaphragm of this one compared to the last one except this system has a much larger outlet which allows bigger flow of air into the chamber and the poppet is also balance in this compared to the previous unbalanced one.
One more thing, the poppet looks at the same pressure for both top and bottom surfaces due to which the pressure does not fluctuates. Hence improving the response time and sensitivity of the pressure regulator.
#4 Remote Controlled Balanced Poppet
Remote-controlled has a remote setting that produces a strong controlled signal for air. This signal is received by a regulator that is a balanced poppet just like the last system with the exception of having a small bonnet on top of the system that receives the signal from the remote.
In this case, the regulator is supposed to work against the pressure produced by the air. This signal keeps the pressure at a constant level due to which the drops a comparatively pretty low than other systems.