Pressure regulators are used in pneumatic applications to set and keep the pressure level of a machine constant. In many applications, the pressure of compressors, which supply compressed air in the range of 10...16 bar, is too high, so it has to be reduced with the help of pressure regulators. Excessive pressure leads to higher wear of the application or unnecessarily high energy costs, while with insufficient pressure the required speed or force performance is not reached. This results in fluctuations in quality and faulty results.
The incoming compressed air that flows from the input of the pressure regulator to the valve seat is the primary pressure or input pressure. The pressure regulator ensures that the compressed air, as it flows through the valve, is at the required secondary pressure, also called output pressure. This is regulated in line with the specific requirements by adjusting the rotary knob. When the rotary knob is turned, this moves a spring that exerts a force on the upper side of the regulating diaphragm, which in turn pushes up or down. The valve tappet is actuated and the valve bore opens. When the secondary pressure drops, the spring force on the diaphragm is greater than the counteracting output pressure. This pushes the valve tappet further down, which increases the valve opening and causes the output pressure to rise again.