Pneumatic
components
Single acting cylinder
• A single acting cylinder has only one entrance that allows compressed
air to flow through.
• Therefore, it can only produce thrust in one direction (Fig. 4).
• The piston rod is propelled in the opposite direction by an internal
spring, or by the external force provided by mechanical movement or
weight of a load (Fig. 4).
Double acting cylinder
• In a double acting cylinder, air pressure is applied alternately to the
relative surface of the piston, producing a propelling force and a
retracting force (Fig. 5).
• As the effective area of the piston is small, the thrust produced during
retraction is relatively weak.
• The impeccable tubes of double acting cylinders are usually made of
steel.
Filter regulator and lubricator
• An airline filter cleans compressed air. It strains the air, traps solid particles
(dust, dirt, rust) and separates liquids (water, oil) entrained in the compressed
air.
• Filters are installed in the air line upstream of regulators, lubricators, directional
control valves, and air driven devices such as cylinders and air motors.
• Pressure regulators reduce and control air pressure in compressed air systems,
including rotary screw air compressors. Regulators are also frequently referred
to as PRVs (pressure reducing valves).
• A lubricator adds controlled quantities of tool oil into a compressed air system
to reduce the friction of moving components. Most air tools, cylinders, valves,
air motors, and other air driven equipment require lubrication to extend their
useful life.
Symbol
Direction Control Valve
• Directional control valves ensure the flow of air between air ports by
opening, closing and switching their internal connections.
• Their classification is determined by the number of ports, the number of
switching positions, the normal position of the valve and its method of
operation.
• Common types of directional control valves include 2/2, 3/2, 5/2, etc.
The first number represents the number of ports; the second number
represents the number of positions.
• A directional control valve that has five ports and two positions can be
represented by the drawing in Fig, as well as its own unique pneumatic
symbol.
3/2 Pushbutton Spring return-
Direction control valve (DCV)
This uses push-force to actuate the cylinder and uses spring return mechanism to move to its normal
condition.
• This has 3 ports and 2 positions as depicted in the figure.
• 2 positions are said with reference to the position of cylinder.
• Normal or retracted position
• Actuated or Extended position
• Three-way valves have three pipe connections and two
orifices. When one orifice is open, the other is closed, and
vice versa.
• They are commonly used to alternately apply pressure to and
exhaust pressure from a valve actuator or a single-acting
cylinder.
Normally Closed (NC)
• When the valve is de-energized, the pressure port is closed and the
exhaust port is connected to the cylinder port.
• When the valve is energized, the exhaust port is closed and the
pressure port is connected to the cylinder port.
Normally Open (NO)
• When the valve is de-energized, the pressure port is connected to the
cylinder port and the exhaust port is closed.
• When the valve is energized, the pressure port is closed and the
cylinder port is connected to the exhaust port.
Symbols:
Roller DCV
Detent DCV
Lever type DCV
Foot operated DCV
Mushroom type DCV
Pilot operated DCV
• This uses air as a medium to switch position from Normal to actuated
position.
