Gas Patio Heater Regulator
It's important to understand how to use propane patio heater if need to stay warm during the cold weather. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, advised that customers should look for products that have safety certifications.
It's also crucial to make sure that there are there are no nearby combustible objects and that the patio heater is securely connected.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical devices that we drive by daily in our cars and at home without giving them a second thought. Their invention, 135 years ago, has revolutionized the way propane and natural gas are utilized for cooking, heating and welding with oxy-fuel. The basic role of regulators is exactly the same, but there are numerous variations. The regulator uses an element that senses pressure, usually a fabric-reinforced dialythm to regulate a valve plug's location and limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm connects to the stem of the valve using a rod which runs through the diaphragm and spring and finally into the valve. The mechanism is able to detect the gas pressure inside the house or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug's position to meet the demand. As the consumption of gas in the house decreases the pressure between the regulator and the house reduces too. The diaphragm is deflated downward and the valve plug is moved closer to the orifice to limit flow. As the demand for gas in the house increases the valve will open further and increases the flow of gas.
The valve plug remains closed until the demand for the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process is known as sizing and it is the fundamental function of the regulator.
When the valve is opened it creates pressure up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the port for hose outlet via venturi tubes (see image). This pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the screw or handle located on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise, it raises the pressure. When it is rotated clockwise, it decreases the pressure.
When choosing a regulator for pressure be aware that the maximum and minimum nominal pressure is determined by commercial standards and not the pressure of the gas in the supply line. The regulator should be compatible with the hose you choose to use. Find a hose marked whistle-free. It should have alternating rings with different sizes. This will prevent resonance noises from forming throughout the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples operate on the premise that different types of metals when in contact at their ends can produce a voltage, even if they are operating 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 offer a number of advantages over conventional sensors like thermistors, including the ability to measure very high-temperatures and to operate in corrosive environments.
patio heater gas flame measuring (or hot) junction is formed by connecting two dissimilar metals at one end, while at the other, the reference (or cold) junction, is kept at an unchanging temperature. Thermocouples are passive devices which means that they don't require power in order to function. The voltage generated is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Thermocouple manufacturers as well as metrology standards organizations such as NIST provide reference tables of the function E (T) displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) For each specific type of thermocouple.
There are three types of thermocouple connections: exposed grounded and welding. The type of junction that is exposed is a bit higher than the protective sheath and has the fastest response. A thermocouple grounded is recommended for measurements in corrosive environments. A thermocouple welded to a wire is physically separated from the sheath with mgO powder to prevent the penetration of moisture or gas that could lead to errors.
The thermocouple that is welded also has the added benefit of being more vibration resistant. It is recommended to use it in harsh environments that require pressures up to 3000 psi. A thermocouple that is damaged is usually due to an insufficient polarity. If the sheath has not been properly polarized, both ends of the thermocouple could have different voltages at their measurement junction. This can result in an inaccurate reading or even damage to the instrument. A malfunctioning thermocouple could be caused by a poorly installed or calibrated sensor.
Thermostat
Contrary to electric heaters, which need to be wired directly into the wall gas patio heaters are portable and utilize natural gas or propane cylinders to fuel. Thermostats regulate flow of energy into these cylinders to ensure that they don't overflow, but they still provide warmth when required. The thermostat achieves this by measuring the temperature of air that passes over it. The thermostat also determines if the room is cooling down to a comfortable temperature, and switches the heating off.
The most commonly used type of thermostat is a digital one. It makes use of a microcontroller to convert a fluctuating electrical resistivity into an indication of temperature. It is able to do this more accurately than previous mercury switch thermostats, which utilized an mercury coil with three wires that would change according to temperature. This allowed the thermostat to tilt a switch made of mercury that was connected to an electrical circuit to an air conditioner or heater switching it off and on.
Another type of thermostat is one that is mechanical. The thermostat opens when the wax inside a small cylinder starts to melt, which is around 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). When the wax is hot, a rod attached to the thermostat opens the valve. As the room cools, the wax contracts and the rod is pulled into the cylinder to close the valve.
You can set thermostats to change the temperature at different time of the day. This can help you reduce energy consumption by setting your heating to come on and off during times of work or asleep, instead of having it on constantly. You can also set the thermostat to come on earlier, so that your home will be an ideal temperature when you arrive back from work or school. Thermostats often have a feature called the heat anticipator, which stops the heater from turning on too early. This is because some parts of the home are at the desired temperature before the thermostat has even been set.
Pilot Light
Many newer heating systems, homes and furnaces have eliminated completely from pilot lights. However older homes still rely on them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. If the pilot light is ever extinguished, it's important to know how to light it safely.
A pilot light creates a small flame which heats a thermocouple. This thermocouple generates electricity and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame ceases to burn, the thermocouple cools down and ceases to produce electricity, closing the valve. Pilot lights are found on most natural gas and propane appliances, such as water heaters.
To relight the pilot, you must first turn off the gas at the appliance. You must then take off any doors or panels that may be blocking the access to the pilot light. Find the pilot light tube and follow the steps on the front of the appliance for opening it. After you've lit the pilot light, turn the gas valve knob to the "on" position.
Safety is the primary reason for leaving a pilot light lit. If it's accidentally turned off, the gas that is constantly escaping from the pilot light tube may be accumulating in your home until sparks from a cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it and causes an explosion. The tubes designed for pilots have an inbuilt cutoff valve to stop this from happening.
A constantly burning pilot light is not just hazardous however, it also consumes energy. A pilot light can burn between $7 to $18 worth of gas each month, according to numerous studies. This wasted fuel also places an additional burden on the air cooling system in summer. A pilot light may attract spiders that can spin webs and block up the pilot tubes. A constant flame can emit small amounts of the compound Mercaptan, which is the cause of the smell of rotten eggs in natural gas. If you're concerned about these problems, consider getting a remote control gas fire or replacing your old fireplace with a modern efficient model.