ME 3022

BASIC PNEUMATIC CIRCUITS

INSTRUCTED BY:

NAME COURSE INDEX NO GROUP FEILD DATE OF SUB

Gunasekera N.P.A. B.Sc. Engineering 090160U 03 Mechanical 05 .04.2012

INTRODUCTION Fluid power systems are pressurized moving fluids, either liquid pr gas, within an enclosed circuit to generate, transmit, and control power. The term fluid power applies to both hydraulic and pneumatic. Hydraulics uses pressurized fluids, while pneumatics uses compressed gases. Fluid power can be effectively combined with other technologies through the use of sensors, transducers and microprocessors. Generally, both hydraulics and pneumatics systems have many advantages over the other types of power transmission systems including Multiplication and variation of force, Easy and accurate control, High power/low weight, Low speed and torque, Constant force or torque, Safety in hazardous environments, etc. hydraulic power transmission systems, which use pressurized liquid such as oil or water, are widely used in practical applications where higher forces and/or accurate control are needed. Key sectors of applications include mobile systems, industry and special areas such as aerospace engineering. The usefulness of using compressed air such as a power source is as: 1. Cleanness 2. Pressure is transmitted undiminished in all direction throughout the system 3. Low cost 4. The best solution for the jig and fixture systems, automation lines, picks and place in electronics industry.

However, a typical maximum pressure for the pneumatic systems is 7 to 10 bars. This indicates that the pneumatic systems arent suitable for the heavy duty in terms of load.

EXPERIMENT:

Basic Pneumatic Circuits

OBJECTIVE :

To familiarize with pneumatic power transmission systems

PROCEDURE According to the given diagram in the lab sheet we have to set up a pneumatic circuit which can operate a double-acting cylinder remotely through the use of an air pilot-actuated DCV. Using a low pressure (10 psi) for supplying two pushbutton valves and activating them manually causes the main DCV to activate for cylinder retraction or extension.

DISCUSSION 1. Components of a basic pneumatic circuit a) Compressor: Pump that compresses air, raising air pressure to above ambient pressure for use in pneumatic systems. There are several types of compressors used in the industrial.

I.

Reciprocating compressors

Reciprocating air compressors are positive displacement compressors. This means they are taking in successive volumes of air which is confined within a closed space and elevating this air to a higher pressure. The reciprocating air compressor accomplishes this by using a piston within a cylinder as the compressing and displacing element.

II.

Rotary Screw Compressors

Rotary air compressors are positive displacement compressors. The most common rotary air compressor is the single stage helical or spiral lobe oil flooded screw air compressor. These compressors consist of two rotors within a casing where the rotors compress the air internally. There are no valves. These units are basically oil cooled (with air cooled or water cooled oil coolers) where the oil seals the internal clearances. Since the cooling takes place right inside the compressor, the working parts never experience extreme operating temperatures. The rotary compressor, therefore, is a continuous duty, air cooled or water cooled compressor package.

III.

Centrifugal Compressors

The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic compressor which depends on transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air. The rotor accomplishes this by changing the momentum and pressure of the air. This momentum is converted to useful pressure by slowing the air down in a stationary diffuser.

IV.

Rotary sliding vane compressor

A sliding (rotary) vane compressor has a solid rotor mounted inside a water jacketed cylinder, similar to that of a jacketed water section of a reciprocating cylinder. The water jacket around the cylinder is used for cooling. The rotor is filled with blades that are free to move in and out of the longitudinal slots in the rotor. Blade configurations range from 8 to 12 blades, depending upon manufacturer and pressure differentials. The blades are forced out against the cylinder wall by centrifugal force, creating individual cells of gas which are compressed as the rotor turns. As it approaches the discharge port, this area is reduced and the gas discharged.

b) Pneumatic Cylinder or Linear Actuator These devices are used to apply straight line (linear) pushing or pulling forces. Linear actuators are available in thousands of different configurations. These cylinders are fitted with pistons of various diameters and strokes of various lengths. They are most commonly specified as single acting (powered in one direction) or double acting (powered in both directions). Single acting spring return cylinders are more economical with respect to air consumption.

Double acting cylinder

Double-acting cylinders (DAC) use the force of air to move in both extends and retract strokes. They have two ports to allow air in, one for outstroke and one for instroke. Stroke length for this design is not limited; however, the piston rod is more vulnerable to buckling and bending. Addition calculations should be performed as well.

c) Solenoid Valve Solenoid valves are electrically operated valves that control the direction and flow of pressurized air to and from pneumatic actuators or circuits. Solenoid valves can be either monostable, (they spring return to a default condition either on or off) or Bi-stable, (having no preferred or default condition thus remaining where it was last positioned either on or off) Pneumatic valves can be operated by hand, (mechanical) electrically (solenoid) or air (piloted) operated. Ports and Positions of a 3-2 Valve The first number 3, refers to the number of ports or holes through which air moves into or out of the valve and the 2 refers to the number of valve positions or conditions.

3/2 way pushbutton operated valve (normally close) with spring return. A three-way directional valve has three ports, each of which serves a different purpose. The first port is used to connect the valve to an actuator or another device. The second port is connected to an air-flow. The third port is used as an exhaust exit. When the first and second ports are open and the third is closed, air moves through the valve to the device. When the first and third ports are open and the second port is closed, the actuator can vent exhaust. Three-way

valves are often connected to actuators in cylinders, or used in pairs and connected to doubleacting cylinders.

5/2 way double pilot valve Four-way valves are also available with five external ports, one pressure port, two actuator ports, and two exhaust ports. Such valves provide the same basic control of flow paths as the four-ported version, but have individual exhaust ports. In the fluid power field this is referred to as a "five-ported, four-way valve." This type of valve brings all flow paths to individual external ports. The pressure port is connected to system pressure after a regulator. Actuator ports are connected to inlet and outlet ports of a cylinder or motor. Each exhaust port serves an actuator port.

d) Regulator Regulators control circuit pressure or force.These devices are fitted with mechanical components that react to changes in the downstream air pressure. The regulator attempts to automatically maintain a constant (preset) pressure within a pneumatic circuit as long as the supply (reservoir) pressure is greater than the required circuit pressure. The reading on the regulator-mounted gauge indicates the regulated or circuit pressure.

e) Operation of filters A pneumatic filter is a type of filter specifically designed for use in a compressed air stream. Filters are devices used to remove contaminants from a stream of liquid or gas. Pneumatic filters remove contaminants, especially solid particulates, from streams of fluid in the form of compressed air. They are frequently used in sequence with secondary filters that trap even smaller particles that escape the primary filters.

2. Advantages of pneumatic systems Reliable, economical actuators. Pneumatic actuators, the air-powered motors which control valves and dampers, remain the most reliable, durable, and economical actuators available. They require essentially no maintenance except for inspection and adjustment of the echanical linkages. It is easy to select actuators which fail in the desired position upon loss of electric power (and thus pneumatic air pressure). Pneumatic actuators, of all sizes, cost much less than corresponding electric/electronic actuators. Flexible, modular control components. The complete pneumatic control system are distributed throughout the building using numerous pneumatic building blocks such as thermostats, receiver controllers, and pneumatic relays. Virtually any control strategy can be implemented by a custom-designed pneumatic control system. Pneumatics can provide excellent control performance and can maintain set points accurately. Compressed gas can be stored, allowing the use of machines when electrical power is lost. Safety is assured, o Very low chance of fire (compared to hydraulic oil). o Machines can be designed to be overload safe.

3. Disadvantages of pneumatic systems Good maintenance is required. Pneumatics require two important types of maintenance. The first is to ensure that the pneumatic air supply is clean, reliable, and dry at all times. The second is to carry out a program of routine and preventative maintenance under which all control components are inspected and, if necessary, adjusted every couple of years or so. Pneumatic controls are not well-suited for remote monitoring of space conditions and mechanical equipment status. Cannot be used where accurate positioning or rigid holding is needed (due to compressibility of air) Sluggish (slow) response Poor lubricant Air can be corrosive since it contains Oxygen and water

4. Practical applications of pneumatic systems

Air brakes on buses and trucks Air brakes, on trains Air compressors Air engines for pneumatically powered vehicles Cable jetting, a way to install cables in ducts Compressed-air engine and compressed-air vehicles Gas-operated reloading Holman Projector, a pneumatic anti-aircraft weapon Inflatable structures Lego pneumatics can be used to build pneumatic models Exercise machines Pipe organs