Trivia: Dual Pressure Regulator

[RodHouTx]

Here's a good question for you die-hard 3-Stage MMBB fans. Which is the only show that activated the dual-pressure regulator for a skit (drops the pressure in half to slow down the characters).

[pizzacam]

Did they use it in a MMBB show? If so it was probably the Premiere tape...

[RodHouTx]

yep, just one show, one of my favorites.

Hint: They also used this skit as an intermission in the "Best of CEC TV (1995)" Showtape. A very nice, inspiring song by, believe it or not, Helen and Pasqually! So its between 1992 and 1995.

[VegaNova]

They still used this???!?!

When I was down at CEI Aaron was trying to find one of these for my show package - but he told me that they didn't even use this in very many RAE shows past the first few years. Most people didn't even notice when the airflow was changed, and then when they slowed the characters down from the fast-moving early shows it wasn't really needed anymore.

Very neat information, and I'll keep an eye on your post because I have no idea what show you're talking about. Not that I would know anyway.... sorry to say, my CEC showtape knowledge is the pits.

-VegaNova

[CEC3066]

"Best of CEC TV (1995)"

"Best Of CEC TV "93"

Playable starting 7/6/93:D

and the song Rod is referring to:

"Don't Ever Give Up"

[pizzacam]

How do you know it was the Physical Fitness show Dan?

[RodHouTx]

A winner!

It was on CU PHYSICAL FIT/BDAY STAR 02/14/92. The only CEC show to use the dual pressure regulator. I'm not sure how he knows that, though, unless he was really into the technical aspects of the show and heard the exhaust when it was activated.

Sorry about the 'Best of' reference. On the tape it says Best of CEC TV - Copyright 1995, so this may have been our replacement for the original?

P.S. I don't see where 'Dan' says its Physical Fitness?!

[RodHouTx]

By the way, VegaNova, the dual pressure regular was used quite frequently for the RockAfire, even during the Cyberstar days - Moms/TV Themes, Liberty, Sal's Bday and Bday Medley to name a few, usually when there was a slow song.

[CEC3066]

I have a master of "Best of CEC TV" from when it came out in '93 (hence my date reference) and yes gabe I do know that that song was also on "Physical Fitness"

[cec080]

hey Rod what does he win a pressure regulator!!!!!!:lol :lol :lol
cool Facts Rod!

[pizzacam]

Nah he didn't say it from that show Rod..I just know what songs are on what shows. I have a Physical Fitness Master...

[CEC TechMan]

It was also used on Holiday 95/96/97 during the Toyland song by Helen and Jasper.

[RodHouTx]

Oh cool! I am going to have to try that show. Our DPR doesn't quite work right anymore. It works from the manual button but when the computer tries to activate it it just clicks once and nothing happens (and if I press the manual override it doesn't do anything while the computer is trying to use it). But if I activate it manually at any other time (and leave it activated), and then the computer activates it, and then I release the manual button, it will stay activated until the computer releases it. Geez, that was clear as mud!

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Okay...sorry if i sound a bit dense ( it's been a weird day..) but can someone post what exactly does this "Duel Regulator" do?

I have a general idea having worked on some shows, but a clear description of its function and purpose during these above mentioned songs would be fab.


Thanks!

[pizzacam]

It slows the show's pressure down for slow songs :)

[RodHouTx]

What pizzacam said :-)

Looking at how 4-way valves work, here is my revised explanation of how the DPR works:

The dual pressure regulator is a 4-way valve (5 ports). On one side are two air lines that feed into it. One of them is 80 psi, the other is 40psi (values are less for later shows and current MMBB). On the other side of the dual pressure regulator two air lines go to a shuttle valve (a shuttle valve lets the highest pressure pass through) and from there to the manifold where the character air lines connect. There is also an exhaust port.

When the regulator is not activated, both 40 and 80 are going to the shuttle valve, and of course the shuttle valve lets the highest pass through (80). The exhaust port is blocked in this position (not connected to anything).

When the regulator is activated, the 40 line and the exhaust port (atmosphere) are going to the shuttle valve, so the shuttle valves allows 40 psi to go to the characters, and you will hear exhaust come out of the exhaust port from the pressure that was in that line. The 80 input port is blocked in this position.

There is also a diagram in the blue show manual that shows the components (regulators, shuttle valve, DPR, etc).

[RodHouTx]

Here are definitions I found to help for how a 4-way valve works (show mac valves are 4-way valves) and a shuttle valve. Remember that there are two ports on the side of the mac valve, two in the front, and one in the back.

A 4-Way directional control valve pressurizes and exhausts two ports (the valve body consists of 5 ports). A 4-Way valve has four distinct flow paths within the valve and is commonly used to cause reversible motion of a cylinder or motor. Actuating the valve directs flow through input port 1 to output port 4 as output port 2 exhausts through port 3. In the unactuated position, air flow is directed through input port 1 to output port 2 as output port 4 exhausts through port 5.

A shuttle valve is a simple device but also a necessary part of many pneumatic systems. It is a passive device having no air supply (power supply) of its own. Shuttle valves are used when signal is required to be selected from two or more different sources. Also known as "OR" valves, they allow a signal to pass through from either input A or B (or both) and will allow the reverse flow of system exhaust through these same inputs. A shuttle valve selects the higher of two pressures, a function that is to be considered when designing circuitry.

[CEC3066]

Hey Rod, I thought your store was on DVD now? if that's the case how can u play that Generic Holiday tape?

[RodHouTx]

Yes, we are on DVD. But the signals are the same :-)