Figure 4.
Acetylene cylinder construction.
c. Oxygen and acetylene regulators. The gases compressed in oxygen and
acetylene cylinders are at pressures too high for oxyacetylene welding. Regulators
are necessary to reduce pressure and control the flow of gases from the cylinders.
Most regulators in use are either the single-stage or the two-stage type. Check
valves should be installed between the torch hoses and regulator to prevent
backflash through the regulator.
(1) Single-stage oxygen regulator. The mechanism of a single-stage
regulator (fig 5) has a nozzle through which the high-pressure gas passes, a valve
seat to close off the nozzle, and balancing springs. Some types have a relief
valve and an inlet filter to exclude dust and dirt. Pressure gages are provided to
show the pressure in the cylinder or pipeline and the working pressure. In
operation, the working pressure falls as the cylinder pressure falls; for this
reason, the working pressure must be adjusted at intervals during welding
operations. The oxygen regulator controls and reduces the oxygen pressure from any
standard commercial oxygen cylinder containing pressures up to 3,000 PSI. The
high-pressure gage, which is on the inlet side of the regulator, is graduated from
0 to 3,000 PSI. The low-pressure gage, which is on the outlet side of the
regulator, is graduated from 0 to 500 PSI.
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