Pressure is regulated by balancing opposing forces across a diaphragm within a pressure regulator. This mechanism controls the flow of fluid (typically air) to maintain a desired output pressure.
Here's a breakdown of how a typical air pressure regulator works:
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Filtering Chamber: Air enters the regulator and passes through a filtering chamber to remove contaminants.
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Diaphragm and Range Spring: The filtered air flows towards a diaphragm. The diaphragm is a flexible membrane that moves in response to pressure changes. A range spring exerts a force on the diaphragm, pushing it downwards.
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Pressure Balance: The output pressure acts on the underside of the diaphragm, while the range spring pushes down on the top side. These opposing forces create a pressure balance.
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Vent and Output: When the output pressure is lower than the desired setpoint (determined by the range spring), the diaphragm moves upwards, allowing more air to flow through a vent and out to the regulated output.
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Regulation Process: As the output pressure increases, it exerts more force on the diaphragm, eventually counteracting the force of the range spring. This causes the diaphragm to move downwards, restricting airflow through the vent. When the output pressure reaches the desired setpoint, the diaphragm reaches an equilibrium, maintaining a constant output pressure. If the output pressure exceeds the desired level, the diaphragm further restricts the airflow, preventing over-pressurization.
In essence, a pressure regulator is a self-correcting mechanism that continuously adjusts airflow to maintain a stable output pressure, regardless of fluctuations in the input pressure or downstream demand.
