Pressure regulators are closed-loop mechanical devices that maintain a pressure setpoint in various processes within a system. They are available in mechanical or electronic versions, in digital or analog models. Although analog devices have long been the traditional choice, digital proportional control provides significant advantages for many applications.
Proportionally controlling the pressure or flow of gasses and fluids to perform various functions is prevalent in laboratories and manufacturing environments. Often, it is imperative to use products that provide the best resolution. But what is resolution, what does it indicate in proportional control, and what might it mean for your application?
Pneumatic fluid power is a universal and cost-effective method for delivering energy to instrumentation and industrial processes. In cooling applications, fluid flows past something to carry away heat. In an analytical instrument, the velocity of a carrier gas may be a critical timing mechanism. Gas pressure can mitigate sleep apnea. In each of these cases, fluid is controlled to achieve a particular outcome. The power delivered to these processes requires pressure control or flow control.
Every device is designed for a particular need; therefore, product life is relative to the application. It stands to reason then that if an application only requires million cycles, that application does not require a billion cycle valve. Or does it?
Basic fluid mixing system designs involve connecting individual valves using fittings and tubing to create the required flow paths. This can be improved upon with manifold mounted valves, which reduce the number of possible leak points by reducing the number of required fittings while still allowing for fairly complex flow paths.
The field of liquid extraction presents unique challenges. While the separation of substances can be performed with a variety of different methods, these processes typically require precise control of multiple fluids within a single application. This can be complex, but Clippard provides a simple solution.
What can you do to maximize the life of your valves? Valve cycle life is the valve's expected life under ideal conditions, but few applications are ideal. An understanding of the factors that affect valve life is important for selecting the proper valve and materials.
Two of the most common designs for pneumatic control valves are the poppet and the spool. A poppet valve consists of an orifice that is opened and closed by raising and lowering a sealing surface onto the orifice. It usually has an internal spring that holds the valve in the closed position. When the spring force is overcome, the sealing surface lifts off the orifice and the valve opens.
