Logan Voss
If you work with gas regulators, it’s important to understand how they operate and why they function the way that they do. Since they have only three components, they may sound simple enough; however, there is more to a gas regulator than meets the eye. Here is what you need to know about what the components of a gas regulator are and why that is important.
The Loading Mechanism
The loading element of a gas regulator is much like a hose nozzle. Its job is to take the regulator’s settings and alter them by turning left or right, much as a hose nozzle controls the flow of water, only this nozzle has highly sensitive calibration. This process is known as setting the delivery pressure. In most cases, a spring governs the loading mechanism.
The Sensing Element
The sensing part of the gas regulator works much as its name implies. Whenever the spring is under tension, the diaphragm, or sensing element, can sense a change in the pressure, and it sends the signal to the control element. It is then up to the control element what should happen. The sensing element is a true medium, as it delivers a message.
The Control Element
The final and most important part of the gas regulator component is in the control element. This part opens and closes the valve that consumes and releases inlet and outlet pressure. Whenever the diaphragm pushes against the control element, it moves the seat, thus opening the orifice to release gas through the regulator.
Now that you understand what the components of a gas regulator are, you have a better understanding of how they all work together. In this three-piece system, there remains a highly regulated component that controls the flow. Without the sensing element, that flow would not exist because there would be no communication from the loading mechanism to the control. And without the loading mechanism, the gas exchange pressure could not be set, and the system would not work properly.
