Pressure compensating flow regulators
AquaClic are so called pressure compensating flow regulators. You can use them everywhere, totally independent from the variable distribution pressure of water. AquaClic is applicable for both:
- to obtain a constant, predetermined flow rate or
- a slow-down of the highest flow rate.
The function of the pressure compensating flow regulator basically consists in expanding and retracting of a special O-ring against a precision profile by which the flow opening automatically changes depending on the distribution pressure. The pressure compensating flow regulator is patented.
Controls five dimensions:
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Perfect water regulation
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Lowest noise
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Endurable high-pressure capacity
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Numerous possible variations
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Requires little space
Function and curve progression
Function
In the idle position, e.g. when no water flows: the regulatoring star (c) which is inserted into the housing (a), assisted by the cover plate (b) is enclosed by an O-ring (d) at a certain distance (position 1).
When water flows through the regulator, the O-ring is then pressed against the seal face (e) under the impact of the differential pressure p1-p2 occurring in front of and behind it where it narrows sliding. With increasing differential pressure, the O-ring (d) is positioned at the top of the main cams (f) and of the support cams (g) (position 2).
If the differential pressure increases further, the O-ring deflects between the cams (position 3), at which the flow cross-sections F3 continuously narrow in a predetermined ratio of sizes.
By the corresponding tuning of the cam hight and –width as well as of the elasticity of the O-ring (Shore hardness, compression setting), the flow cross-section F will tune for any differential pressure in a way that the amount of water which flows through remains constant over the whole pressure range.
Curve progression
The lower tolerance level is being reached at 0.4 bar. At 0.5 bar, the total amount of the indicated nominal value is reached. Work tolerance ± 10% > 5 l/min (1.3 gal/min), ±15% < 5 l/min (1.3 gal/min)
Soiling
Soiling The flow opening (A) of the regulator is relatively large. Normally occurring dirt particles may pass freely. Moreover, the aperture is consistently recessed due to the permanent move of the O-ring.
During extended time tests with pressure compensating flow regulators it turned out that test devices became non-functional by lime or by oxide or mineral deposits. In this case it turned out that only the passages in front of and behind the regulator show deposits, but that the regulator itself is in no case affected itself.
In this regard, two reasons argue for the immunity to failure of the pressure compensating flow regulator:
- the water flows straigt at high speed through the pressure compensating flow regulator
- the surface finish of the applied plastic material will counteract the deposits.
Noise behavior
The very favorable noise behavior is a property of the pressure compensating flow regulator which is decisive for the application in practice.
This is attributed to the fact that on the one hand the water passes straight through the regulator and on the other hand a number of – generally 16 – fine water sprays will flow out. And this results with an effective noise reduction.
For all applications, a control of the noise level according to DIN 52218 had been performed. A noise reduction of 5 to 20 db (A) had been measured.
Example: A pressure compensating flow regulator had been installed to a drain valve in order to reduce the amount of water to 10 l/min respectively 2.6 gal/min. The flowing noises which can be heard from the neighbouring rooms had been considerably reduced by 3 bars from 32 db (A) to 14 db (A) and at 5 bars from 36 db (A) to 17 db (A).
Continuous capacity
In order to analyze the continuous capacity, comprehensive long-term tests had been performed.
Measuring conditions
Test pressure: 10 bars.
The flow had been switched by magnetic valves. The regulator had been installed behind the magnetic valves.
Measuring procedure
The magnetic valves perform 100'000 switching operations in intervals of 5 seconds.
This corresponds to the life cycle of an instantaneous water heater, but the extreme impact load of the magnetic valves makes much higher demands to the quality of the materials than the slow opening and closing of the drain valves in practice.
Measuring result
For the measured regulators, the flow rate of the low pressure range (at about 1 bar) will only be reduce by 3%.
In the higher pressure range (at about 10 bars), the flow rate will be increased by max. 6%.
This behaviour is born in mind as the spark for the design of the regulator.
The housing and the regulatoring star of the pressure compensating flow regulator are made of high-grade technical plastic material - HOSTAFORM C. The O-ring is made of a special rubber compound which allows to comply with low tolerances in its chemical composition.
We reserve the right of technical modifications
