How Do Air Compressors Work?

Air compressors are mechanical devices that increase the pressure of the inflowing gas by decreasing its volume. An air compressor uses a specific kind of compressor to inflate items such as tires, blankets, clothes and cushions. Most air compressors, including air compressor ingersoll rand, are powered either pneumatically or electronically.

A single-stage reciprocating compressor compresses air in one cycle, while two-stage or three-stage compressors cycle more than one cycle through. Air compressors use variable-pressure tanks to vary the release pressure at different stages of operation. Two or three-stage compressors allow the user to choose a standard air compressor tank size. Air compressors with higher discharge pressure are called super compressors. These super compressors can work at much higher airflow capacities than low-dampners. There are also industrial compressors, mobile compressors and hand-held compressors.

Most portable compressors like a portable diesel air compressor operate using a small amount of high-pressure air. These compressors have a pump which moves the liquid into the air chamber. As the air moves into the chamber, the compression occurs. High-pressure compressors can inflate items such as dollies, tables and other inflatable objects. The discharge pressure is a function of the pump's horsepower and the air's weight. Super-fast compressors are used for air compressions to pump oxygen into enclosed areas where high pressure is needed, such as operating rooms and hospital beds.

Single-stage compressors have a clutch system to control air displacement. The clutch system is usually electronically controlled. When the clutch is engaged, the air compressor sends a constant flow of compressed air through a rotor. The rotor then displaces the compressed air with a greater force than the constant flow. When the clutch is disengaged, the air pressure will be more evenly distributed.

Compressors of the type that uses a counter-rotating or reciprocating action have a sealed piston in the chamber. The air is compressed in the piston and forces its way out of the piston; this is also known as a displacement pump. This type of pump uses a motor to operate; the motor may be driven by a variable-speed electric motor, an internal motor driven by belt drive, or even a power train that includes an electric pump, an engine and a gearbox. A reciprocating air compressor uses pistons driven by an electric motor to reciprocate the compressed air within a housing, thus increasing the air pressure.

For air compressors with a pressure switch, the pump selects a different speed for the compressor's stroke. When the compressed air is released, it fills the housing by forcing the air through a small tube; this air is discharged by a second tube that is connected to a pressure switch. The pressure switch controls the amount of air released by the motor; therefore, a higher pressure switch usually results in a higher horsepower, which means a greater amount of air can be compressed per minute. In addition, when the compressed air is blown by a fan, a larger amount of air is forced through a smaller tube; this increases the speed and power of the pump, but reduces the pressure released.

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