Thermal valves respond to temperature changes, assisting high-pressure machines and preventing breakdowns. There are two types: expansion and exhaust. They increase efficiency and safety, found in household items and industrial machines. Expansion valves use a temperature-sensitive bulb to adjust coolant flow, while safety valves have a spring to control gas release.
A thermal valve is a valve that responds to a change in temperature and is typically used to assist machines that handle high pressure or flowing liquids to avoid breakdowns. There are two main types of thermal valves, expansion and exhaust. Both types of these little components perform similar tasks, but they do it in very different ways. Thermal valves are found in everyday household items ranging from pressure cookers, refrigerators and air conditioners to complex industrial machines. Without these simple valves, all the elements mentioned would be greater safety risks and may not be part of everyday life.
The expansion type is the most common variety of a thermal valve. It is responsible for the flow of coolant within many refrigeration and air conditioning units. The valve opens and closes according to the temperature of the machine in which it is installed, allowing only a certain amount of coolant to pass through. The key to the success of the thermal expansion valve is the temperature sensitive bulb.
A temperature sensitive bulb is a small gas filled bulb connected directly to the heat valve. The bulb senses changes in temperature and adjusts the valve accordingly. As the temperature drops, the valve closes, allowing less fluid to cool the unit. As the unit warms up, the valve opens, sending more refrigerant to reduce the temperature.
Expansion valves are also renowned for helping to increase efficiency. This unit automatically adjusts to keep itself at a specific temperature, so there’s little energy wasted from unnecessary cooling. The valve keeps the unit at a constant temperature, so a fridge uses less electricity.
Another common type of thermal valve is the safety valve. This offers a more simplified operation than the expansion valve but still opens and closes to allow passage. In the case of a thermal relief valve, it restricts the passage of hot gas vapor from the pressure buildup. One of the earliest examples of this valve comes from the 1600s and the invention of the pressure cooker, which has a gas release valve built into the lid.
The thermal valve of the pressure cooker has a spring as a sensitive element, instead of a bulb, which controls its opening and closing. When the pressure in the valve gets too high, the spring pushes down and opens the valve until enough steam escapes to bring the pressure down to an acceptable level. This version helps ensure that high-pressure machines, such as a heating system boiler, can operate safely by preventing them from exploding.
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