Pneumatic Actuators

&
Quick Exhaust Valve

Introduction

Pneumatic actuators include linear cylinders and rotary

actuators.
They are devices providing power and motion to automated
systems, machines and processes.
A pneumatic cylinder is a simple, low cost, easy to install device
that is ideal for producing powerful linear movement.
Speed can be adjusted over a wide range.
Adverse conditions can be easily tolerated such as high humidity,
dry and dusty environments and cleaning down with a hose.
The maximum working pressure depends on the cylinder design.
Thrust is controllable through a pressure regulator.

Cylinders convert the energy in the compressed air into linear

motion.
The air enters the cylinder and pushes a piston from one end of the
cylinder to the other.
There are two main types of cylinder - single acting and double
acting.
A single acting cylinder has only one air connection, whilst a double
acting has two.

In a single acting cylinder, the

piston is forced out by the
pressure of the air. When the
air supply is removed and the
air inside the cylinder is
allowed to escape, the piston
moves back, driven by the
force of a spring. By restricting
the escaping air (exhaust), it is
possible to slow down the
return movement of the piston.

The double acting cylinder has two air connections. When compressed air
is applied to one connector and the other connector is allowed to exhaust
to atmosphere (i.e.. the air is allowed to escape freely), the piston is driven
to one end of the cylinder. When air is then applied to the second
connector and the first is allowed to exhaust to atmosphere, the piston is
driven back. This type of cylinder gives greater power on the return
stroke than the single acting cylinder, and also ensures that the piston is
effectively locked in position at both ends of its stroke.

Pneumatic components: cylinders

double -acting

spring-return

air supply
vent to atmosphere (air discharge)

Basic Construction
1

1 cushion seal
2 magnet
3 cushion sleeve
4 barrel
5 guide bush
6 rod and wiper seal
7 front end cover
8 front port
9 reed switch
10 piston rod
11 wear ring
12 piston seal
13 rear end cover
14 cushion screw

2
3

14

4
5
6

13
12
11
10
9
8
7

Fundamental designs

Fundamental designs

Pneumatic actuators are made in a wide variety of sizes,

styles and types including the following
Single acting with and without spring return
Double acting

Non cushioned and fixed cushioned

Adjustable cushioned
Magnetic

Rodless

Tandem

Telescopic
Bellows

Single acting spring return

Single acting cylinders have

a power stroke in one
direction only

Normally in
Normally out

Double acting

Double acting cylinders use compressed air to power

both the outstroke and instroke.
Superior speed control is possible
There are
Non-cushioned types
Fixed cushioned types
Adjustable cushioned types

Double acting non-cushioned

Non cushioned cylinders are suitable for full stroke working at

slow speed.
Higher speeds with external cushions

Force

Understanding Forces

Allowed use up to 60 Pounds per Square Inch (psi)

As of 2008 FIRST Rules

Translate Pressure into a force based on the bore of the

piston.

F=P*A , Force = Pressure * Area

Calculations:

Output force is determined

by:
Bore or diameter
Pressure over ambient
Cylinder Force
Push Force = x
cylinder radius2 x
Pressure (psig)
Pull Force = Push Force
- x rod radius2 x
Pressure (psig)

Cylinder sizing for thrust

The theoretical thrust (outstroke) or pull (instroke) of a cylinder
is calculated by multiplying the effective area of the piston by the
working pressure.
The effective area for thrust is the full area of the cylinder bore
D.
The effective area for pull is reduced by the cross section area of
the piston rod diameter d.

Cylinder sizing for thrust

In the formula, P is divided by 10 to convert bar to Newtons per

square millimetre (1 bar = 0.1 N/mm2)

Thrust F

D P Newtons
4 10

Where
D = Cylinder bore in millimetres
P = Pressure in bar
F = Thrust or Pull in Newtons

Cylinder sizing for thrust

Pulling force F will be less than the thrust due to the area lost to
the piston rod

Pull

2
(D -

d )P

40

Where
D = Cylinder bore in millimetres
d = Piston rod diameter in millimetres
P = Pressure in bar
F = Thrust or Pull in Newtons

Newtons

Speed controlss

Speed control

The maximum natural speed of a cylinder is determined by:

the cylinder size,
the ports size,
inlet and exhaust valve flow,
the air pressure,
the bore and length of the hoses,
the load against which the cylinder is working.

Speed control Circuits

Speed control

Once a valve, cylinder, pressure and load are selected,

adjustable speed control is effected with flow regulators.
Speed is regulated by controlling the flow of air to exhaust
The front port regulator controls the outstroke speed and
the rear port regulator controls the instroke speed.

Increasing speed

In some applications
cylinder speed can be
increased by 50% when
using a quick exhaust
valve.
When operated, air from
the front of the cylinder
exhausts directly through
the quick exhaust valve.
Built in cushioning will be
less effective.

QUICK EXHAUST VALVE

Quick Exhaust Valve

In some applications
cylinder speed can be
increased by 50% when
using a quick exhaust
valve
When operated, air from
the front of the cylinder
exhausts directly through
the quick exhaust valve
The faster exhaust gives a
lower back pressure in the
cylinder therefore a higher
pressure differential to
drive out the piston rod

Quick Exhaust Valve

Port 2 is connected directly

to the end cover of a
cylinder
Port 1 receives air from the
control valve
Air flows past the lips of the
seal to drive the cylinder
When the control valve is
exhausted, the seal flips to
the right opening the large
direct flow path
Air is exhausted very rapidly
from the cylinder for
increased speed

Quick Exhaust Valve

Port 2 is connected directly

to the end cover of a
cylinder
Port 1 receives air from the
control valve
Air flows past the lips of the
seal to drive the cylinder
When the control valve is
exhausted, the seal flips to
the right opening the large
direct flow path
Air is exhausted very rapidly
from the cylinder for
increased speed

2
1

Quick exhaust valve

Air flows from the control valve in to the cylinder past a

poppet lip seal.
When the control valve is operated the falling pressure from
the valve allows the poppet seal to snap open.
The air in the cylinder rapidly exhausts through the large
exhaust port and silencer.
2

Pneumatic Silencer

Pneumatic Silencer is used in pneumatic circuits, to

reduce the noise generated by the release of the
exhaust air.
The Pneumatic Silencer is an efficient, inexpensive
air-valve muffler, designed specifically to reduce air
blast noise created at the exhaust ports of
pneumatic valves.
These silencers easily reduce the noise from 120 dB
to 75 dB, level worldwide considered as acceptable

Silencer

Thank You