Manufacturing > Communication > Transportation and Power > Construction > Industrial Design MAIN PAGE

PNEUMATIC CONTROL
AIR SUPPLY

PNEUMATIC CONTROL

INTRODUCTION

COMPONENT,SYMBOL AND FUNCTION

SIMPLE PNEUMATIC CONTROL CIRCUIT

Learning Outcome
Students should be able to:
List pneumatic components and sketch their symbols. State the functions of pneumatic components. Describe pneumatic components operation. Sketch and describe simple pneumatic control circuit. Develop simple pneumatic control circuit and explain its operation principle.

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
In pneumatic system, the medium used to transfer energy is COMPRESSED AIR. Generally, the pneumatic and hydraulic system are similar. The pneumatic system normally applied to light and medium jobs The pneumatic system is simpler, easier, cheaper and safer than hydraulic system.

Examples of Pneumatic application

AIR SUPPLY
The air supply for pneumatic system needs to be compressed and filtered from contaminants such as water and humidity. Clean air needs to be fabricated to reduce friction, wear and equipment erosion and also smoothen the movement. Compressed air supplied by compressor.

PNEUMATIC SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

COMPONENT, SYMBOL & FUNCTION

4 main sections that required to operate pneumatic system
a. Supply service section b. Pneumatic control section c. Actuator or transducer section d. Energy transfer / transmitter section
Pneumatic system block diagram

Example of pneumatic system

SUPPLY SERVICE SECTION

The function of this section is to compress the air from the atmosphere. The air is compress by a compressor and stored in a tank.
Component
Electrical Motor

SUPPLY SERVICE SECTION

Component Function
Dry out the air moisture Filter the air entering the system from any contamination. To increase the air flow efficiency. Reduce friction and wear of the components. Show the air pressure reading of the system. Control the pressure so there will be no excess pressure throughout the system.

Photograph

Symbol

Function
To run the pump. The motor continues to rotate until the air storage full. Pump in and increase the air, gas, vapour pressure higher than the original pressure. Cool the compressed air by filling the air in a condenser. Consist of filter, regulator and lubricator. Stored the compressed air and is installed next to compressor.

Photograph

Symbol

Dryer

Air filter

Compressor

Lubricator

Cooler Service unit Tank (Air receiver)

Pressure gauge

Pressure regulator

The function of this unit is to explain pressure control, flow rate and direction of compressed air. Component Function Photograph Symbol
Pressure control valve Flow control valve Fix limit Adjustable limit To control the pressure of compressed air at certain section below the components pressure limit. Fix limit controls the air flow to the actuator or the actuator speed. Adjustable limit act as a regulator.
Control the required direction flow. Can be done by: Hand / foot Rope / chain Lever / gear Solenoid energy Plunger and pneumatic energy The type of valve is determined according to: Number of flow direction Number of position The way it is operated

PNEUMATIC CONTROL SECTION

FLUID CONTROL SECTION

Component Function
2/2 valve (2 ports, 2 position) Has 1 direction output control. 2 types: Normally open Normally closed 3/2 valve (3 ports, 2 position) Has 2 directions output control. 2 types: 3/2 open 3/2 closed 4/3 valve (4 ports, 3 position) Has 4 directions output control in three position. 2 types: Normally open Normally closed

Photograph

Symbol

Flow control valve

Directional control valve

ACTUATOR OR TRANDUCER SECTION

Actuator and tranducer is a device that converts HYDRAULIC energy to MECHANICAL energy.
Component
(Linear actuators) Single acting cylinder

ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

This section transfer the compressed air from supply section and distributed into the circuit through hoses and tubes.
SYMBOL
Compressor

Function
To move load in 2 linear directions. The cylinder has a rod, a hole an spring to move the piston back to its original position after use. To move load in 2 linear directions. The cylinder has a rod and two holes without spring. To move load in 4 linear directions (1 cylinder 4 direction). The cylinder act as double acting cylinder but it can do a job in 2 different direction. The hydraulic motor is required if the desired work needs a circular motion. Several types of motors that could rotates at 90o and 180o.

Photograph

Symbol

Function

SYMBOL
Filter

Function

Double acting cylinder

Compressed air from the atmosphere.

Separate contaminants from entering the pneumatic system.

Pneumatic motor

Double acting cylinder with double ended rod

Convert the compressed air into mechanical power.

Pressure relief valve

Prevent the hydraulic system from overloading and limit the torque of hydraulic motor cylinder.

(Semi-rotating actuators) Motor

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Cooler

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Double pressure valve

Function
Cool the compressed air

SYMBOL
Pilot control line

Function

Function
Allow two directional flows either from the left or right direction. Reduce the pressure at certain parts in the pneumatic circuit. Stop the hydraulic system for assembly and repairs. Control the pressure at a specific location by disconnecting the electrical source at the pump meter.

SYMBOL
Exhaust pipe

Function
Flow out compressed air to control the pressure.

Lubricator

Flexible line

Transfer the fluid to the pilot to move the valve.

Pressure reducing valve

Lubricate the air flow. Reduce friction and wear out of components. Measure pressure flow at the fluid line. Usually installed after the filter.

Joint source / manifold

Pipe joint.

Flow controller (throttle valve)

Pressure gauge

Limit the volume of compressed air that flows to the specific flow pipe.

Shut off valve

Shuttle valve

Flow controller (throttle valve adjustable)

Able to make selection within two inputs.

Quick exhaust valve

Carrier main pipe / connector source

Adjust the air that flows to specific places.

Pressure switch

Transfer the fluid throughout the system.

To release compressed air more efficiently

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Check valve

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Double acting cylinder

Function
Block the flow from the opposite direction.

SYMBOL
2 ports, 2 position valve (2/2 way valve)

Function
Control flow direction by using two holes and two position valves. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. One direction spring return. Linear motion. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Pneumatic control in two direction A and B. Linear motion.

Function
Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Pneumatic control in two direction A and B. Linear motion. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Rods displacement is twice the normal displacement Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Load return the piston back to its position

SYMBOL
3 ports, 2 position valve normally closed (3/2 way valve)

Function
Control flow direction by using three holes and two position valves. Control flow direction by using four holes and two position valves. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power Rotates at 180o. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power Rotates into 2 different direction.

Pressure valve

Consist of pressure regulator, lubricator, dryer, cooler and filter. Control flow direction by using three holes and two position valves. Control the compressed air to ensure that pressure does not exceed overpressure in circuit.

Single acting cylinder

2 ports, 2 position valve (4/2 way valve)

Telescopic cylinder

3 ports, 2 position valve (3/2 way valve)

Pneumatic one directional flow motor

Differential cylinder with double ended rod

Pressure control valve

Single acting piston

Pneumatic two directional flow motor

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Swivel pneumatic motor

TRANSMITTER / ENERGY TRANSFER SECTION

SYMBOL
Pneumatic drive

Function
Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Rotates in semi-rotary actuator. Convert pneumatic power into mechanical power. Pneumatic control in two direction A and B. Linear motion only.

SYMBOL
Lever

Function

Function
Pneumatic is triggered to control the valve. Pneumatic is triggered to control the valve.

MANUAL OPERATION Lever is used to ease the valve operation.

Pedal

SYMBOL

Function MECHANICAL

Pilot signal

Cam Rotating wheel-like. Spring

Double acting cylinder

For foot pump only.

Driver

Push button

Released pneumatic is triggered to control the valve.

Control by pushing the button.

Spring will return the valve to its original position.

SYMBOL
Solenoid

Function ELECTRICAL

Plunger A pin-like device that can be pressed

Knob

Knob is turned to enable the valve to operate.

Coil will become magnetic and control the valve. The motor rotates the valve

Motor

EXAMPLE OF PNEUMATIC CIRCUIT

BEFORE OPERATION

AFTER OPERATION

THE END