Proportional Technology                                                                                                

Proportional valves assume controlling tasks in all areas of industry using certain procedures with multiple repitition and placing high deamnds on pressure, temperature, speed, torque and force. These regulators are responsible for comparing and adjusting signals (signal of the actual valve transmitter and a specified control signal). The proportional regulator assumes the task of adjusting actual values to control signals as quickly as possible so that the dymanic production procedure is not interrupted. Function is permenantly controlled via the actual value transmitter (sensors) or proportional regulators. Today, they are of central importance in combination with intelligent electronics. Some application examples demonstrate the broad field in which RIBA proportional regulators are used.

Pinch Valves : - utilised to pinch, pressurised, low durometer tube to regulate the flow of a liquid or gas.  Modern designs provide  precision proprtional control functioning, with 0005"/steps of linear travel.  In addition, with actuator locking lead screws, power is only required when the valve is changing position, not maintaining position.  This reduces power consumption of the device.

Advantages : reduces contamination risk, high repeatability, low power consumption, long performance life, high repeatability, no physical contact with process fluid, fail in place design.

Back-pressure regultors (BPR) :  A Back Pressure Regulator is a device that maintains a defined pressure upstream of its own inlet. When fluid pressure in the process at the inlet of the BPR exceeds the setpoint, the regulator opens to relieve the excess pressure.

Back Pressure Regulators work similarly to relief valves but in the case of the BPR, the emphasis is on steady state pressure control instead of on/off actuation. The BPR continually adjuts its position to keep the inlet pressure at the desired setpoint. They are used to control gas, liquid, mixed-phase and supercritical fluids.

Differences between Pressure Regulator and Back Pressure Regulator : Pressure regulators or pressure reducing regulators reduce a higher supply pressure down to a regulated lower pressure at the outlet, maintaining a desired downstream pressure. Back pressure regulators work the opposite way. They regulate the pressure at the inlet by opening up only as much as necessary to maintain the desired upstream pressure.

Precision vacuum regualtors : Are devices used to maintain a desired vacuum pressure in a system.  Vacuum regulators adjust their opening to maintain vacuum pressure at a consistent level. As conditions in the vacuum system fluctuate due to changes in load, temperature or other process parameters, the vacuum regulator opens or closes just enough to precisely maintain the vacuum level required by the process.

Vacuum Regulators work by throttling flow between the vacuum supply pump and the process in order to control the process vacuum. This type, which is often referred to as a Vacuum Regulator, is actually a BPR because the pressure is controlled at the inlet port. The regulator closes to increase absolute system pressure (or reduce vacuum level).

Ultra-Low pressure regulation :  Controlling ultra low pressures in the inches of water, pascal, and millibar range can be quite difficult with traditional spring loaded regulators. The primary reason for this is due to how challenging it is to get mechanical parts to move with such low pressures. Using an electronic pressure regulator to control these pressures is a surprisingly accurate alternative. These electronic valves work by using a sensitive pressure transducer to sense minute changes in pressure and adjust the gas input and exhaust using solenoid valves. This method allows for much smaller adjustments in pressure than with a traditional regulator.