Gas Patio Heater RegulatorIt's crucial to know how to utilize a propane patio heater if you are looking to keep warm in the cold winter. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of the Montreal fire department, advised that customers should look for products that are safe to use.
It's also crucial to make sure that there are no combustible materials are nearby and that the patio heater is securely connected.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are essentially mechanical devices that we use in our vehicles and homes every day without even giving them a second thought. Their invention, 135 years ago, has changed the way
propane patio gas and natural gas are used for cooking, heating and welding with oxy-fuel. The basic function of regulators is the same, however there are many variations. The regulator uses a pressure sensing element which is usually a fabric reinforced diaphragm, which controls the position of the valve plug, and to limit the flow of
gas patio heater pyramid.
The diaphragm is linked to the stem of the valve using rods that go down through the set spring, up through the diaphragm and into the valve. This mechanism senses the gas pressure in the home or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug's position to meet the demand. As the use of gas in the house decreases, the pressure between the regulator and the house decreases too. The diaphragm begins to deflate downward, and it moves the valve plug closer to the orifice, which limits flow. As the demand for gas increases in the home the valve will open more, thereby increasing the flow.
The valve plug remains closed until the demand of the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process, called"sizing," is the basic operation of the regulator.
When the valve is opened it creates pressure up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the outlet port of the hose via the venturi tube (see image). This pressure is regulated by adjusting a screw or handle located on the exterior of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it expands and decreases the pressure; when it is turned clockwise, it lowers the pressure.
When selecting a pressure regulator, keep in mind that the maximum and minimum nominal pressure is set by commercial standards, not the pressure of the gas at the supply line. The regulator must be compatible with your hose. Look for a hose labeled whistle-free. It should have alternating rings of different sizes. This will stop the resonant sounds from building up throughout the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples operate on the principle that two dissimilar metals that are in contact at one end create a voltage potential, even when they are at extremely different temperatures. They are used to detect the temperature differences between two points in a system and convert this data into an electrical signal that can then be read by a thermocouple meter or other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, for instance thermostors. They can detect extremely high temperatures and work in corrosive environments.
The measuring (or hot) junction is created by connecting two dissimilar metals at one end, and at the other, the reference (or cold) junction, is maintained at the same temperature. Thermocouples produce small voltages, however, they are passive devices that don't need power to work. The voltage generated is proportional the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Manufacturers of thermocouples and organizations that offer metrology standards, such as NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each type of thermocouple.
There are three types of thermocouple connections: exposed grounded and welding. The exposed type of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath and offers the fastest response time. For measurements in corrosive environments it is recommended that a grounded thermocouple be used. A thermocouple that is welded is physically isolated from its sheath with mgO powder. This stops gas or moisture from entering and causing problems.
A thermocouple welded to a wire offers the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use in harsh environments and with pressures as high as 3000 psi. A thermocouple that is damaged is usually the result of the lack of polarity. If the sheath does not appear to be properly polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple have different voltages at the junction of measurement that could lead to an incorrect reading and damage the instrument. A malfunctioning thermocouple could be caused by a poorly calibrated or installed sensor.
Thermostat
Gas
buying patio gas heaters, unlike electric heaters that are wired to the wall are portable and operate on natural gas or propane. Thermostats regulate the flow energy into these cylinders in order to ensure that they do not overflow, but they still provide warmth when required. The thermostat is able to detect the temperature of air passing over it. The thermostat also can tell when the room is at a comfortable temperature and shuts off the heating.
The most common type of thermostat is a digital one. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a change in electrical resistance into a measurement of temperature. It can do this much more accurately than older, mercury switch thermostats which used mercury coils with three wires that moved in accordance with the temperature. This allowed it to tilt the mercury switch connected to the electrical circuit of a heater or air conditioning unit, and turn it off or on.
Another type of thermostat is one that is mechanical. The thermostat is activated when the wax inside a small cylinder starts to melt, which is approximately 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). A rod that connects to the valve is then pressed into this wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools the wax expands and the rod is pushed into the cylinder, closing the valve.
You can set thermostats to change the temperature at different times during the daytime. This can help you reduce energy consumption by setting your heating to go off and on when you are at work or asleep, instead of having it on continuously. You can also set your thermostat to turn on earlier so that you can get home to a comfortable temperature. Thermostats often have a feature called the heat anticipator, which stops the heater from turning on too early. This is due to the fact that different areas of the house often reach the set temperature before the thermostat itself.
Pilot Light
Although many modern heating and homes have eliminated pilot lights older furnaces and homes still use these devices to ignite gas in the chamber for burning. It's important to learn how to safely relight the pilot light if it ever fails.
A pilot light generates tiny flames that heat the thermocouple. This produces electricity and holds the gas valve open. When the pilot flame ceases to burn, the thermocouple cools down and stops producing electricity, thus closing the valve. Pilot lights are found on a majority of natural gas and propane appliances, including water heaters.
To relight a pilot light, you must first shut off the gas on the appliance. You will then need to remove any panels or doors that may be blocking the access to the pilot light. Find the pilot light tube and follow the procedure printed on the back of the appliance to open it. Once you've switched off the pilot then turn the gas valve knob back to "on".
The main reason for leaving a pilot light on is to ensure safety. If it's accidentally turned off the gas constantly venting out of the pilot light tube may be accumulating in your home until a spark from an spark from a cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it and causes an explosion. Pilot tubes are designed to have an inbuilt cutoff valve to keep this from happening.
A pilot light that is constantly burning is not just dangerous however, it also consumes energy. Various studies have shown that a pilot light can burn between $7 and $18 of gas per month. The wasted fuel also puts more strain on the air cooling system in summer. Pilot lights can attract spiders that can spin webs and clog the pilot tubes. A constant flame could release tiny amounts of the chemical Mercaptan that is responsible for the rotten-egg smell in natural gas. If you are ever concerned about these issues, think about purchasing a gas fire with a remote control or replacing a fireplace with a more effective, modern design.