A normally open pressure reducing valve is designed to do what?

A normally open pressure reducing valve is designed to allow fluid flow until a specified pressure is reached. This type of valve functions by remaining open under normal conditions to enable the flow of fluid. Once the pressure in the system rises to the set point, the valve will begin to modulate to maintain that pressure, thus controlling the flow of the fluid downstream.

The fact that it is normally open means that it will allow fluid to flow freely until the pressure surpasses a predetermined threshold, at which point it will start to adjust its position to reduce the flow and regulate the pressure to keep it within acceptable limits. This characteristic is crucial in systems where maintaining a consistent pressure is vital for operation. It also ensures that the system does not excessively build pressure, which could lead to potential damage or failure.

While pressure reducing valves can influence flow rates as part of their operation, the primary function of a normally open valve is centered around pressure control rather than purely regulating flow rates. Thus, the emphasis is on maintaining system pressure by appropriately managing the fluid flow based on that pressure rather than shutting off flow completely or only working under high pressure conditions.