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pneumatic system
Air generation and distribution
• Pneumatic cylinders, rotary actuators and air motors provide the force and
movement of most pneumatic control systems.
• To operate and control these actuators, other pneumatic components are
required, i.e., air service units to prepare the compressed air and valves to
control the pressure, flow and direction of movement of the actuators.
• A basic pneumatic system, shown at below, consist of two main sections:
* the Air Production and Distribution System and * the Air Consuming System
Pressure measurement
Instruments used to measure pressure are called pressure
gauges or vacuum gauges.
Gauge pressure
Pressure measuring devices normally measure the difference between
applied pressure and atmospheric pressure and thus indicate gauge
pressure (or vacuum pressure in the case of a vacuum gauge).
The equivalent absolute pressure is determined by relating the gauge
pressure to zero pressure as a datum.
In the case of positive pressure above atmosphere, absolute pressure is
the sum of the gauge and the atmospheric pressure (normally assumed to
be 1 bar).
Pabs P g P
Since pneumatics are mainly
concerned with gauge pressure
less than 10 bar, the difference
between absolute and gauge
pressure can be
significant.
Compressed Air Fundamental
= a constant
= a constant
= t constant
Compressed Air Fundamental
or;
where,
P : pressure
V : volume
m : mass
R : gas constant (for air: R=287 J /kg-K)
T : Temperature (in Kelvin)
Compressed Air Fundamental
Laminar flow, (also known as streamline flow) occurs when a fluid flows in
parallel layers, with no disruption between the layers. In laminar flow the motion of
the particles of fluid is very orderly with all particles
moving in straight lines parallel to the pipe walls.
Turbulent flow is the opposite of laminar flow which occurs at higher velocities
where small packets of fluid particles form leading to lateral mixing.
(c) Law of Conservation of mass
Matter cannot be created or destroyed ‐ (it is simply changed in
to a different form of matter).
ρ1v1 A1 = ρ2v2 A2 = constant =mass flow rate (steady state)
Law of Bernoulli’s equation
Bernoulli’s states:
“if a liquid of specific gravity flows horizontally through a
tube with varying diameters, the total energy at point 1
and point 2 is the same”
P1 + 1/2ρv1 + z1 = P2 + 1/2ρv2 + z2
Compressed Air Fundamental
Shuttle valve
The power section consists of control elements and power components or actuators.
The actuators are complemented by the control elements, which transfer the
required quantity of air to drive the actuator.
Linear actuators
- Single-acting cylinder
- Double-acting cylinder
Rotary actuators
- Air motors
- Rotary actuators
Systems - Control circuit for the single-
acting cylinder
The 3/2-way control valve has 3 ports. The supply port, the
exhaust port and the outlet port. The possible switching
positions are shown in the above illustration.
Systems - Control circuit for the double-
acting cylinder
•
• Symbols used in energy conversion and preparation
2) Directional control valves
The directional control valve is represented by the number of controlled
connections, the number of positions and the flow path.
In order to avoid faulty connections, all the inputs and outputs of a valve are
identified.
Directional control valves: symbol development Directional control valves: ports and positions (ways)
•
2) Directional control valves
(cont.)
Type of Symbol Function
Valve
2/2 DCV Drives the air motor and pneumatic equipment
Example of designations
4) Methods of actuation
free flow
No flow
ii) Check valve‐Spring loaded
free flow
No flow
iii) Shuttle Valve (OR)
2
1 1
Actuated
iv) Quick Exhaust Valves
silencer
without silencer
2
1
3
•1 input,1 output,1 exhaust
iv) Quick Exhaust Valves (cont.)
Function:
To control speed of actuators.
To control a constant speed of actuators.
As a cushioning tool of actuators
To control heavy load
Two types of flow control valves:
a. Throttle valve
b.One-way flow control valve
i. Throttle Valve
check valve
ii. One-way Flow Control Valve (cont.)
Pilot spool
valve
It is to maintain constant pressure even with fluctuating
supply.
The input pressure must be greater than the required
output pressure
8) Combination Valve (Time Delay
Valve)
•Pneumatic Timers are used to create time delay of
signals (5-30 seconds) in pilot operated circuits.
The linear actuators or cylinders are described by their type of construction and method of
operation. Rotary actuators are divided into continuous motion and limited angle of rotation
Air compressor
To collect and compressing air from the air pressure. For
example rotary and reciprocating compressors.
Air dryer
To dry the air has been compressed from the water vapor
before the air is sent to the pneumatic system to prevent the
components from rusting. For example Drying Absorption and
Adsorption.
Service Unit
Service Unit consists of three components: a pressure
regulator, pressure gauge and lubricants. It works to control
pressure and lubricate the air before being sent to the
system.
Actuator
It is the last component in the system. Work to do as was
required. There are various types of actuators such as the
rods in and out, spin and flame.
Air Compressor (generation of compressed air)
The service life of pneumatic systems is considerably reduced
if excessive moisture is carried through the air system to the
elements.
It is important to fit the necessary air drying equipment to
reduce the moisture content to a level which suits the
application and the elements used.
There are three auxiliary methods of reducing the moisture
content in air:
1. Low temperature drying
2. Adsorption drying
3. Absorption drying
Dew point is the highest temperature
Low Temperature Drying at which airborne water vapor
will condense to form liquid dew
Low temperature
drying.
Adsorption Dryers
Schematic diagram of
a heat regenerated
adsorption dryer.
Absorption Drying
Purely chemical process.
The moisture in the compressed air forms a compound with
the drying agent in the tank.
This causes the drying agent to break down, it is then
discharged in the form of a fluid at the base of the tank.
The features of the absorption process are:
1. Simple installation of the equipment.
2. Low mechanical wear because there are no moving
parts in the dryer.
3. No external energy requirements.
Absorption Drying
Diagram of an
absorption
dryer.
Air Service Equipment
• Three aims of the air service unit is:
1.to provide the air consuming equipment
(actuators, motors, air tools and control circuit)
with compressed air of suitable cleanliness.
2. should also provide pressure stabilized air at no
more than the required maximum pressure.
3. it provides an air supply (flow), which carries
lubricating oil in the correct adjusted quantities to
lubricate valves, cylinders and motors.
Air Service Equipment
Air Service Equipment
With lubricator
Without lubricator
Compressed air filter