Relief valves automatically release material to regulate temperature and pressure in systems with extreme conditions. They are common in devices using heated liquid and are connected to diagnostic systems for safety. Blow-off plugs serve as backup safety valves.
A relief valve is used to automatically release material in order to change the internal temperature or pressure of a system. These mechanisms are very common on devices that use heated liquid, particularly water, to create mechanical energy. Older safety valves were often manually operated, but modern valves are usually connected to a diagnostic system. This system constantly monitors the connected device for any changes that could lead to a dangerous situation. If it detects a problem, the safety valve will automatically activate to help prevent an explosion or rupture.
Systems using relief valves usually have portions with extreme temperatures, pressures or liquid circulation. Devices such as steam boilers, water heaters, and refrigeration systems all use safety valves as a method to keep them from exploding. When the pressure exceeds a prescribed amount or temperature differences begin to endanger the physical structure of the system, the relief valve will activate to equalize the system.
In most cases, a relief valve is placed in a system bottleneck or dead-end pipe in prominent or problematic locations. When inserted into an active system, the valve always remains open. When activated, it will close and prevent material from passing further into the system. When the valve is moved to the side, it will always remain closed. If the connected area registers a problem, the valve will open and expel material from the device.
Modern valves are often connected to internal sensors which constantly monitor various areas of the system. These sensors look for problems that could endanger the car or the people around it. If the pressure is too high, systems could explode, pelting workers with hot liquid and shrapnel. If a part of the device is very hot or very cold and a material of the opposite temperature tries to access that area, the temperature change could cause the metal to crack.
In addition to these types of valves, many devices still use a blow-off plug as a safety valve. While these plugs aren’t technically valves, they perform the same function as a valve and are often the backup device for the main valve. An ejector plug in a solid plug that fits snugly into a hole. If the pressure in the system becomes very high and the safety valve does not intervene, the plug will be forced out of its hole and the pressure will equalize. Like a safety valve, ejector plugs often go unused for long periods of time and need to be checked from time to time to make sure they are still in good condition.
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