Pneumatic System

Pneumatic Systems
 Gas-based systems are called Pneumatic systems (from
the Greek pneuma for wind or breath or air).
The most common gas is simply compressed air although
nitrogen is occasionally used.
A pneumatic system is a system that uses compressed air
to transmit and control energy.
Air under pressure possesses energy which can be
released to do useful work
Pneumatic systems are open systems, always processing
new air, and air is simply exhausted to the atmosphere.
 The Perfect Gas Laws
• Boyle/Marriot’s law
At constant temperature PV = C
• Charles’s law
Charles found that the volume of a gas increased in equal
amounts for equal increase of Temperature, if pressure is
constant.
V1/V2 = T1/T2
• Lussac’s law
This law indicates that if the volume of a given gas is held
constant, the pressure exerted by the gas is directly
proportional to its absolute temperature.
P1/P2 = T1/T2
 General Gas law
• Combination of the mentioned laws results is general
law as

P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2
Physical components of
pneumatic systems
 Air Production System
1. Compressor
• Air taken in at atmospheric pressure is compressed and
delivered at a higher pressure to the pneumatic system. It
thus transforms mechanical energy into pneumatic energy.
2. Electric Motor
• Supplies the mechanical power to the compressor. It
transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy.
3. Pressure Switch
• Controls the electric motor by sensing the pressure in the
tank. It is set to a maximum pressure at which it stops the
motor, and a minimum pressure at which it restarts the
motor.
 Air Production System
4. Check Valve
• Lets the compressed air from the compressor into the tank and
prevents it leaking back when the compressor is stopped.
5. Tank/Receiver
• Stores the compressed air. Its size is defined by the capacity of
the compressor. The larger the volume, the longer the intervals
between compressor runs.
6. Pressure Gauge
• Indicates the Tank Pressure.
7. Auto Drain
• Drains all the water condensing in the tank without supervision.
8. Safety Valve
• Blows compressed air off if the pressure in the tank should rise
above the allowed pressure.
 Air Production System
9. Refrigerated Air Dryer
• Cools the compressed air to a few degrees above freezing
point and condenses most of the air humidity. This avoids
having water in the downstream system.
10. Line Filter
• Being in the main pipe, this filter must have a minimal
pressure drop and the capability of oil mist removal. It
helps to keep the line free from dust, water and oil.
 The Air Consuming System
1. Air Take-off
• For consumers, air is taken off from the top of the main pipe
to allow occasional condensate to stay in the main pipe,
when it reaches a low point a water take off from beneath
the pipe will flow into an Automatic Drain and the
condensate will be removed.
2. Auto Drain
• Every descending tube should have a drain at its lowest
point. The most efficient method is an Auto Drain which
prevents water from remaining in the tube should manual
draining be neglected.
 The Air Consuming System
3. Air Service Unit
• Conditions the compressed air to provide clean air at optimum
pressure, and occasionally adds lubricant to extend the life of
those pneumatic system components which need lubrication.
4. Direction Control Valve
• Alternately pressurises and exhausts the cylinder connections to
control the direction of movement.
5. Actuator
• Transforms the potential energy of the compressed air into
mechanical work. Shown is a linear cylinder; it can also be a
rotary actuator or an air tool etc.
6. Speed Controllers
• Allow an easy and stepless speed adjustment of the actuator
movement.
Compressor types
1. Positive displacement compressor
a. Reciprocating types (piston, diaphragm)
b. Rotary type ( screw ,vane, lobe)
2. Dynamic compressor
 1. Piston compressor
In this type of compressor a cylinder bore encloses a moving
piston. As the crankshaft of the compressor rotate, the piston
moves within the cylinder, similar to the piston in a car engine.
As the piston is pulled down, the volume increases, creating a
lower atmospheric pressure in the piston chamber. This
difference in pressure causes air to enter via the inlet valve. As
the piston is forced upwards the volume of air reduces.
The air pressure therefore increases. Eventually the pressure
forces the outlet valve to open.
1
2

3 Single stage compressor

 Two stage compressor
To avoid an excessive rise in temperature. Multi-stage compressors with
INTERCOOLERS have been developed. These compressors can generate
higher pressures than single stage compressors. The most common type
is the Two-Stage compressor.
Symbols and ISO standards in pneumatics
The development of pneumatic systems is assisted by a
uniform approach to the representation of the elements and
the circuits. The symbols used for the individual elements
must display the following characteristics:
Actuation and return actuation methods
Number of connections
Numbers of switching positions
General operating principle
 simplified representation of the flow path
Basic pneumatic diagram
Application of Pneumatic System
Pneumatic systems are used in controlling train doors, automatic production lines, mechanical clamps, Bottling
and filling machines, Wood working machinery drives and feeds, Machine tool work or tool feeding,
Component and material conveyor transfer, Pneumatic robots etc.
 Advantages of pneumatic systems
• Pneumatic control systems are widely used in our society,
especially in the industrial sectors for the driving of
automatic machines due to the following advantages:-
a. High effectiveness
b. High durability and reliability
c. Simple design
d. High adaptability to harsh environment
e. Safety
f. Easy selection of speed and pressure
g. Environmental friendly
h. Economical
Limitations of pneumatic systems
a. Relatively low accuracy
b. Low loading
c. Processing required before use
d. Uneven moving speed
e. Noise