Components of pneumatic system

• Properties of air

• Laws that govern compressible nature of gas

• Boyle’s law: at constant temperature, absolute pressure of confined gas
inversely proportional to its volume.
• Gay-Lussac’s law: at constant volume, absolute pressure of confined gas
proportional to its temperature.
• Charles law: at constant pressure, volume of confined gas proportional to its
temperature.
 Components of pneumatic system
• Basic pneumatic system
Compressor Primary Air Receiver Filter Pneumatic Actuators Muffler
Treatment Regulator Valves
Lubricator

• Compressors: gives gas high pressure by reducing its volume. Positive

displacement compressors are used in pneumatic systems.
• Positive displacement compressors
• Reciprocating piston
• Rotary sliding vane
• Rotary screw compressors
Compressors
• Piston compressors: uses piston cylinder mechanism
to compress air.

• Single stage: only one piston is used. [<= 10 bar]

• Multi-stage: more than one piston is used. Inter-

cooler is used to cool down the discharged air from
one stage. [>10 bar]

• Temperature increased caused by the friction

between the air molecules and the work done in
compressing the air.
Compressor
• Vane compressor: uses vanes inserted in the
radial slots on the rotor. Since the rotor mounted
eccentrically to casing as it rotates the area gets
smaller and air compressed. And discharged at
discharge port.

• Can develop =<3.5 bar two stage <=8 bar

• Compared to piston type

• Smaller in size but

• Slightly lower operating efficiency

 Compressor
• Screw compressor: air carried by meshing screws.

• Dry screw: two driven rotors, 0.05mm clearance, have

convex (male) and concave (female) profiles, timing
gears are used to prevent contact between the screws.

• Wet screw: no timing gear, one drives the other, oil

sprayed in the chamber to prevent wear and reduce air
temperature. Oil later separated by oil separator.
Primary air treatment(air dryer)
• Removing moisture of the air
from compressor.
• Done by just cooling of the air.
• Its followed by separator
which separates air from water
and drain off takes place.
• Dryers can be
• Refrigeration type
• Adsorption type: uses
desiccants (i.e. silica-gel)
Receiver
• Is air reservoir; high pressure
from compressor stored in the
receiver and supplies constant
pressure at the outlet.
Air filter
• Remove contaminants from air.
• Filter cartridge: made from sintered
brass or bronze and other materials.
• Remove contaminants in the range of 5-
50microns.
• Can hold large amount of contamination
on surface without suffering any
pressure loss because they have large
ratio of air to filter media.
• The deflector removes most of
contaminants before they reach the
filter element.
• Drain used to drain accumulated
water and solid particles.
Pressure regulator
• Pressure regulated by opening the poppet
valve to a measured amount through
adjustable screw.
• The compressor air is let out into
atmosphere in case the secondary pressure
is greater than the required level.
Lubricator
• Insert drops of oil into
the air stream.
• At the end the oil-air
mix should be
converted into mist
using mist generator
for adequate
lubrication.
Valves
• Quick exhaust valve
• If higher speed of piston
return is required we need
such type of valve which can
exhaust to atmosphere
quickly.
Actuators
• Pneumatic cylinders
• Single acting
• Double acting
• Tandem
• Telescoping
• Double rod
• Air motors
• Piston type
• Vane type
 Applications of air motors
• Vacuum suction cups
• When compressed air passes through venturi
the air gets accelerated so the pressure
decreases below atmospheric pressure.
• Used in pick and place applications

• F-maximum weight the suction cup can lift

• -atmospheric pressure
• -vacuum pressure
• -the area of outer circle of the suction cup lip
• -the area of inner circle of the suction cup lip
Mufflers/ silencers

• Used to control the

noise caused by the
exhausting air stream.
Hydro-pneumatics
• Are systems that use advantage
of both hydraulic and pneumatic
systems
• Hydraulic systems operate at high
pressure, precision but lower
speed.
• Pneumatic systems operate at
lower pressure and higher speed.
Electrical control of fluid power
• Devices commonly used in the
control of fluid power systems
• Switches
• Push button
• Pressure switches
• Limit switches
• Temperature switches
• Solenoids
• Relays
• Timers
Switches
• Make or break electrical circuit • Three common types
• Push button switches: make or
break as long as held/pushed
called momentary switches.
Used for starting and stopping.
 Switches
• Pressure switches: activated
based on system pressure.
• Generally have high and low
pressure setting.

• Limit switches: actuated at

end of extension or
retraction stroke of cylinders.
Switches
• Temperature switches: actuated
depending on pre-determined
temperature.
Solenoids
• Electro-mechanical device
converts electrical power into
mechanical force and motion.
• As the coil energized the plunger
pushed or pulled.
Relays
• Relays are switches whose
contacts open or close when
their corresponding coils are
energized. They are used for
energizing and de-energizing
solenoids which operate at
high current or voltage level.
Timers

• Used to control the time duration of

working cycle.

• Normally open: when energized

closes after pre-determined time.

• Normally closed: when energized

opened after pre-determined time.