SUPERIOR® COMPRESSORS

RAM COMPRESSORS

Chapter 1 General:
Application and Performance Data
RAM Data Book: RAM-DB-07-2003
SUPERIOR® COMPRESSORS

Balancing Superior Compressors

Ajax-Superior manufactures the “RAM”: a balanced, opposed, five-inch
stroke reciprocating compressor having 1 to 4 cylinders. Model designations
are RAM 52 and RAM 54. The name “RAM” refers to the model designated
to the compressor frame: the “5” is for 5-inch stroke and the last digit (2
or 4) refers to the number of crankshaft throws. The cylinders are unique to
the RAM compressor in that they are all air-cooled and range in size from
14.0" - 20.0" in bore. The net rod load rating is 35,000 lbs.
In order to produce a balanced opposed RAM compressor, the reciprocating
weights of each pair of opposing throws must be approximately the same.
This takes into consideration the large number of cylinder sizes and throw
location combinations and the combined weights of each opposing piston
and rod assembly (piston. rings, piston rod and nuts).
Balancing of the unit is accomplished by using both an appropriate weight
crosshead assembly and a combination of up to 12 balance weights (5# each)
to obtain a maximum weight difference of 2 pounds on the active opposing
throws. (To achieve balance when one of the opposing throws is blank, up
to 14 of the 5-pound weights may be used on the blank throw. If this is
not enough, a special balance cylinder arrangement is available. Refer to
Figure 1-1). The crosshead assembly consists of a pair of shoes, the bolts and
nuts to attach the shoes, the balance weights and securing hardware, and the
crosshead. There are currently two different weight crossheads available for
the RAM frames: 56 lbs and 96 lbs. Up to 12 of the 5-pound RAM frame
balance weights may be used on an active throw, allowing a maximum of
60 lbs of balancing weights per active cylinder throw. (Refer to The Balance
Data Table for RAM Separable Compressors 1-2). In addition to the above
mentioned balance parts, the connecting rod weight is also involved in
the balance. Connecting rods may vary in weight and, when the units are
assembled in the factory, care is taken to select the connecting rods so
that the weight variation for opposing throws does not exceed 1 pound.
Thus, a total of 2 lbs weight difference is allowed between opposing throw
reciprocating assemblies.
There is also a total weight of 222 lbs which should not be exceeded. This
maximum allowable weight includes the piston and rod assembly, crosshead,
and balance weights.

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 Chapter 1: Application and Performance Data

Every effort should be made to achieve as near equal balance between

opposite throws as possible. REMEMBER: WE PERMIT A MAXIMUM
VARIATION OF TWO POUNDS ON THE RECIPROCATING WEIGHTS
AND ONE POUND ON THE CONNECTING ROD WEIGHTS FOR
EACH PAIR OF OPPOSING THROWS.
This does not apply to adjacent throw pairs which sometimes vary by 100 lbs
or more and will not cause problems.
The following table identifies the fasteners required to attach weights to the
crossheads. Torque capscrews to 150 ft-lb.

Number of
Weights Socket Head Capscrew
Qty. Size Part No.
1 2 5/8-11 x 1-1/4" O4CS1O1OPC
2 2 5/8-11 x 2" O4CS1O16PC
3 2 5/8-11 x 2-3/4" O4CS1O22PC
4 2 5/8-11 x 3-1/4" O4CS1O26PC
5 2 5/8-11 x 4" O4CS1O32PC
5 2 5/8-11 x 4-3/4" O4CS1O38PC
*7 2 5/8-11 x 5-1/2" O4CS1O44PC

* Use only on blank throws.

Torque to 150 ft-lbs ±10%. Lube threads.

The actual balance achieved at original assembly of a compressor is recorded

on a Compressor Reciprocating Balance Data Sheet 1291-1. A copy of the
data sheet for this compressor is included in the Instruction Manual and
should be referred to in the event a change which would affect the balance
is contemplated. Also, when replacing crossheads, connecting rods, pistons,
or changing piston ring material, the new parts should be weighed in
order to reaffirm the actual unit balance. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN
RESULT IN EXCESS MECHANICAL VIBRATION, CAUSING
FRAME CRACKING, PIPING VIBRATION, FOUNDATION
CRACKING, ETC.

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SUPERIOR® COMPRESSORS

Figure 1-1: Cross-Section of Balance Cylinder For RAM Compressor

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 Chapter 1: Application and Performance Data

Balance Data for RAM Separable Compressors (1-2)

Piston Weight 50 56 77 87 108 112 67 73 85 92 107 110 98 103 99 100 151 153 150 151 160 166 Blank
Mate- Throw
ials Diam. 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 7.75 8.25 9.00 9.50 10.50 11.00 12.00 12.50 13.50 14.00 15.50 16.00 17.50 18.00 19.50 20.00

CI 4.50 0-A 1-A 5-A 7-A 4-B 4-B 3-A 5-A 7-A 8-A 3-B 3-B 2-B 3-B 2-B 2-B 12-B 12-B 12-B 12-B * *

CI 5.00 0-A 4-A 6-A 2-B 3-B 2-A 3-A 6-A 7-A 2-B 2-B 0-B 1-B 1-B 1-B 11-B 11-B 11-B 11-B * *

CI 5.50 0-A 2-A 6-A 7-A 0-A 0-A 2-A 3-A 6-A 7-A 4-A 5-A 4-A 5-A 7-B 7-B 7-B 7-B 9-B 10-B

CI 6.00 0-A 4-A 5-A 0-A 0-A 0-A A 4-A 4-A 2-A 3-A 2-A 2-A 4-B 4-B 4-B 4-B 6-B 6-B

CI 6.50 0-A 1-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 1-B 1-B 0-B 1-B 2-B 4-B

Consult Superior Engineering

CI 7.00 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-B 0-B 0-B 0-B 2-B 3-B

AL 7.75 2-A 4-A 0-B 1-B 0-A 1-A 4-A 5-A 8-A 1-B 6-A 7-A 6-A 7-A 9-B 9-B 9-B 9-B 11-B 12-B

AL 8.25 1-A 3-A 5-A 0-B 0-A 2-A 4-A 7-A 7-A 5-A 6-A 5-A 5-A 8-B 8-B 7-B 8-B 9-B 11-B

AL 9.00 5-A 5-A 0-A 1-A 4-A 5-A 3-A 4-A 3-A 3-A 5-B 6-B 5-B 5-B 7-B 8-B

AL 9.50 3-A 4-A 0-A 3-A 4-A 1-A 2-A 1-A 2-A 4-B 4-B 4-B 4-B 6-B 7-B

AL 10.50 1-A 0-A 1-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 1-B 1-B 1-B 1-B 3-B 4-B

AL 11.00 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-B 1-B 0-B 0-B 2-B 3-B

AL 12.00 2-A 3-A 2-A 2-A 0-A 1-A 0-A 0-A 3-B 3-B 2-B 3-B 4-B 6-B

AL 12.50 1-A 2-A 1-A 1-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 2-B 2-B 1-B 2-B 3-B 5-B

AL 13.50 2-A 3-A 2-A 2-A 1-A 0-A 0-A 2-B 3-B 2-B 2-B 4-B 5-B

AL 14.00 2-A 2-A 1-A 2-A 1-A 0-A 2-B 3-B 2-B 2-B 4-B 5-B

AL 15.50 0-A 0-A 0-A 0-A 2-A 3-A

AL 16.00 0-A 0-A 0-A 2-A 3-A

AL 17.50 0-A 0-A 2-A 3-A

AL 18.00 0-A 2-A 3-A

AL 19.50 0-A 1-A

AL 20.00 0-A

* Consult Superior Engineering group for proper balance weights.

Example 1
Mount a 5.5" cylinder across from a 13.5" cylinder.
Step 1: Start with the small bore 5.5" diam. first.
a. Read down the left hand diameter column to the 5.50 line.
b. Follow across that line to the 13.50 column.
c. At that intersection, you will read the code ‘4-A.’ ‘4’ is the
number 01 weights required and ‘A’ is the light 56 lb
crosshead.
Step 2: Now the large bore 13.5" diameter.
a. Read down the left hand diameter column to the 13.50 line
b. Follow across that line to the 5.50 column.
c. At that intersection you will find a blank space. Any blank
space indicates a ‘0-A’ code. That would mean no weights
and a 56 lb crosshead.
To summarize, the 5.5" diameter cylinder requires four weights and the
light 56 lb crosshead and the 13.5" diameter needs no weights and a light
crosshead.

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SUPERIOR® COMPRESSORS

As a further check, the weights can be added and the difference checked.
Piston and rod assembly weights are at the top line of the Balance i The lightest crosshead
should generally be used
Data table. on the heavier throw
having the biggest cylinder:
however, there may be
exceptions. The table indicates
Cylinder Diameter 5.5" 13.5" which combinations to consider
for any given cylinder..
Piston and Rod Weight 77 lb 99 lb
Crosshead Weight 56 lb 55 lb
Balance Weights 4x5= 20 lb 0 lb
Total Difference =1 lb 153 lb 154lb i When trying to achieve
maximum balance
weight, do not exceed
222 lbs for the piston and rod
Example 2 assembly, crosshead, and bal-
ance weight total.
Mount a 7.0" cylinder across from a 9.0" cylinder.
Step 1: The smaller bore 7.0" cylinder:
a. Read down the left column to the 7.00 row.
b. Read across that row to the 9.00 column. i Maximum allowable
unbalance in any given
c. Find the code ‘0-A.’ No weights and 55-57 lb crosshead application
is 1 lb.
are indicated.
Step 2: The larger bore 9.0" cylinder:
a. Read down the left column to the 9.00 row.
b. Follow across the row to the 7.00 column. i This chart is to be used
as a general guideline
for balancing a RAM
c. The code ‘5-A’ indicates five weights and 55-57 lb Separable Compressor. For
crosshead are required. proper balancing, the individual
reciprocating components must
be weighed at time of nal
assembly to insure that uniform
balance within 1 lb has been
achieved.

i All values left of the

diagonal line are to be
considered “0-A” unless
otherwise specied.

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 Chapter 1: Application and Performance Data

This example points out that it is possible for a larger diameter cylinder to
have a lower piston and rod assembly weight than a smaller bore cylinder.
The larger bore then requires more balance weight. In this case the 7.0"
cylinder will use a light, 55-57 lb crosshead and no balance weights while the
9.0" cylinder will use the light crosshead and five balance weights.
Definition of Codes in Balance Data Table
Represents the total number of weights to be used
with the cylinder indicated in the left hand column
# of the table.
12 - total number of weights available for
use per active throw.
A or B 14 - total number of weights available for use per
blank throw.
Represents the crosshead size or balancing stub rod
(blank throw only) to be used with the cylinder
indicated in the left hand column.
A - 55-57 lbs (light crosshead)
B - 95-97 lbs (heavy crosshead)

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SUPERIOR® COMPRESSORS

Operating Limits
The following speed limitations have been set forth on all RAM Series
compressors and should be reviewed for each application. The limitations
are as follows:
1. The maximum allowable piston assembly weight is 200 (90.5kg) pounds.
2. A maximum total reciprocating weight limit applies to all 1200 RPM
Superior machines. This total weight value is for the sum of:
Reciprocating Weights OR Balance Sheet Weights
The piston and piston rod, Piston and piston rod assembly,
The crosshead assembly, Crosshead assembly,
The crosshead pin, * and Connecting rod, and *
The balance nuts or balance Balance nuts or balance
weights. weights.
* For reciprocating weight measurements, the connecting rod is not
included and for balance sheet weight measurements, the crosshead pin is
not included.
The weight limit value for the RAM is:
• Max limit for recip. weight 270 lb (122 kg)
• Balance sheet weight 331 lb (150 kg)
3. All of the RAM cylinders were designed for Hoerbiger valves which
will always be assembled with MT or PEEK plates. Accordingly, the
discharge temperature limit is 340° F (171 °C) MT, 350° F (177 °C)
PEEK for the air-cooled RAM cylinders.
4. The maximum piston assembly weight for 1500 rpm is 144 lb (65 kg).
5. The maximum piston assembly weight for 1400 rpm is 182 lb (82 kg).
6. The cylinders require cylinder head supports for 1500 rpm.
7. The maximum cylinder size for 1500 rpm is 14" dia.
8. The maximum cylinder size for 1400 rpm is 16" dia.
9. The maximum unbalanced couple of the RAM52 is 20000 ft-lbs.
10. The maximum unbalanced couple of the RAM54 is 29000 ft-lbs.
11. The allowable gas specific gravity is less than 1.0

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 Chapter 1: Application and Performance Data

Conversion Data Tables

TO CONVERT MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN
TO OBTAIN DIVIDE BY TO CONVERT

Units of Length
* Inches (in) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Millimeters (mm)
Inches (in) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centimeters (cm)
Inches (in) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0254 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meters (m)
* Feet (ft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3048 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meters (m)
* Yards (yd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meters (m)
Miles (mi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6093 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kilometers (km)

Units of Area
* Square Inches (in2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Millimeters (mm2)
Square Inches (in2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.452 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Centimeters (cm2)
Square Feet (ft2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Centimeters (cm2)
* Square Feet (ft2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Meters (m2)
Square Yards (yd2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Meters (m2)
Square Miles (mi2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.590 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sq. Kilometers (km2)

Units of Volume
Cubic Inches (in3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.388 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cu. Centimeters (cm3)
Fluid Ounces (fl oz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.577 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cu. Centimeters (cm3)
* Cubic Feet (ft3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02832 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cu. Meters (m3)
Cubic Yards (yd3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.7645 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cu. Meters (m3)
Cubic Inches (in3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01639 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters (l)
Fluid Ounces (fl oz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters (l)
Cubic Feet (ft3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters (l)
Cubic Yards (yd3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters (l)
* U.S. Gallons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.785 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters(l)
Imperial Gallons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.546 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liters (l)

Units of Weight
Grains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0648 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grams (g)
Ounces (oz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grams (g)
Ounces (oz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02835 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kilograms (kg)
Pounds (lb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grams (g)
* Pounds (lb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4536 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kilograms (kg)
U.S. Tons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kilograms (kg)
U.S. Tons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9072 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonnes
Tons, long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kilograms (kg)

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