Mitsubishi Mini Split Air Conditioner in Paterson – What Is a Temperature Actuator?
A temperature actuator is any device that turns equipment on and off in response to temperature changes. They may use a variety of methods to measure temperature changes, including metals, chemicals or gases. Devices to control temperature can vary from a simple home thermostat for controlling heaters or air conditioners, to complex systems that control chemical reactions in industrial plants.
Heating and air conditioning equipment is connected to a thermostat inside the building. Until the late 20th century, thermostats used a mercury switch to control the system. This temperature actuator used a bi-metallic strip, which was a coiled strip of two metals fused along their length. As the temperature changes the two metals expand or contract at slightly different rates, and the coil changes shape.
Vapor pressure can be used for temperature control in two ways. One type of temperature actuator measures the pressure of vapor from a solvent sealed in a tube and connected to a chemical process tank or pipe. As the temperature increases, the solvent vapor pressure also increases and can activate a switch.
A second type of vapor actuator is a metal hydride controller. Metal hydrides contain hydrogen molecules that become hydrogen gas as temperatures increase. The increasing hydrogen gas pressure can push against a piston and be used as a temperature actuator. Fire sprinkler systems can use these devices to open and close sprinkler heads for water control. Once the fire is put out, the hydrogen gas returns to the metal, the gas pressure drops and the sprinkler head closes.
Mini Split AC in the USA 