What is the principle behind such angle valves on propane refrigeration compressors?
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How does one open or close this valve during normal operation, and how can one determine its on/off status?
Inside, a spring presses against the valve core, similar to a safety valve
Does it activate at a certain pressure? Is it still just for providing security protection? It can be adjusted manually, right?
Yes, the opening pressure can be adjusted manually
This valve should act as a safety valve
No hand valve? ? What if this valve is broken or stuck?
This is a very simple type of angle valve for shutting off flow – you just unscrew the valve cap; on some valves, turning the top of the cap in the opposite direction will open the angle valve. The angle valve itself is in the shape of a small square. For valves that don’t have such a mechanism, a small lever switch is used: it extends outward to open the valve and retracts inward to close it
The angle valves for ice machines from GEA here are of this style
It’s very simple – it’s a ball valve, and they’re found in many propane compressors; both York and GE use them. If you remove the valve cap with the hex nut on it, you can see the valve stem. The end of the valve stem is square, and there’s a square hole on the valve cap that was removed earlier; you can use that valve cap itself to open and close the valve. However, we’ve created a special wrench, as the valve caps are too small to be used effectively