Air Compressor Unloader

Here’s information on the simplest type of air valve; the 2/2 style.

The first 2 in the 2/2 air valve refers to the number of “working” air ports that are found in the valve body. That is, the number of ports that supply air to the valve, and channel the compressed air to whatever it is that the valve is supposed to do.

Most 2/2 valves will have numbers or letters etched, cast or painted near each of their two “working” air ports. If there are numbers near the ports, the number 1 would be the supply port to bring the compressed air to that valve. Port number 2 would be the working port from which air would flow to accomplish whatever task that you wanted that valve to do.

If the port designations are letters, then port ‘A’ would be the supply port and port ‘B’ the working port.

If the 2/2 valve is to be “air operated”, that is an external air signal is to be used to shift the 2/2 valve, there will be another port. That port may not have a designation or it might say ‘12′. No, that’s not a twelve, but rather indicates that air will flow from port 1 to port 2 when an external air signal operates that valve.

The second 2 in a 2/2 air valve indicates the number of positions that the internal valve mechanism has. In this case, two. When this valve is operated or actuated, it will either open or close. At rest, that is when the external valve operator has not been activated, the internal valve mechanism will either stay open or closed.

Most 2/2 compressed air valves are classified as NC. NC stands for normally closed. This means that when the valve is not actuated, it’s normal state is closed, and compressed air cannot pass through it.

There are some applications for 2/2 valves where the flow of air through the valve when it is not being operated is desirous. A NO or normally open valve would then be selected. When this type of 2/2 valve is at rest, compressed air will flow through it, and it is only when the valve is actuated that the flow of air will stop.

All 2/2 valves will have actuators that will operate or ’shift’ the air valve.

A compressed air blow gun is a good example. On it there will be a push button or a trigger of some kind. When the button is depressed or the trigger is pulled, the compressed air will flow through the gun and out the nozzle to atmosphere. When the actuator is released, an internal spring (a secondary actuator) will shift the internal valve mechanism back, and the air will stop flowing. A compressed air blow gun contains a 2/2 NC air valve.

Some other 2/2 valve actuators are whisker switches, toggles, push buttons, palm buttons, roller cams, electric solenoids or compressed air.

2/2 valves can have detented or non-detented actuators. If the actuator is detented, this means that when the operator actuates the valve, the actuator will stay in the position selected until it is again moved by the operator. Toggle switches for air valves are often detented. You flick the toggle in one direction to actuate the valve, and it will stay actuated until you move the toggle back. The detented 2/2 valve may not have an internal spring, though with standardization of manufacture, even a detented valve may have a spring, since various kinds of actuators may be affixed to that same valve body.

Non-detented valves do contain an actuator spring, and the internal valve mechanism will “spring” back to the other position when the operator releases the primary actuator, similar to what happens when the button on a compressed air gun is released.

At ABOUT-air-compressors.com, an e-book entitled All About Air Valves - volume one - will soon be available (end August 06). If you are interested in more information about air valves, do visit the site and download a copy.

All 2/2 valves must, when operated, allow air to ultimately flow to atmosphere. If a 2/2 valve is selected to provide air to a closed tank or air vessel, then when the 2/2 valve is shifted to a closed position, the air will be trapped in the downstream line. You wouldn’t select a 2/2 valve to provide compressed air to an air actuator, for example.

The exception to this rule are inflatable bladders that contain their own integral 2/2 valves; a bicycle or vehicle tire being good examples. When you connect your 2/2 air supply valve to the tire valve, the tire valve - itself a small 2/2 valve - is actuated by the supply valve fitting, allowing compressed air to flow into the tire. When the supply valve is no longer actuated, as long as the fill fittings is attached to the tire valve, the line is pressurized. That’s why, when you pull the fill fitting away from the tire, you hear that characteristic “pssssst” as the air that’s been trapped between the two valves is vented. The tire valve will have shifted back to being closed by the air pressure inside the tire, thus preventing the compressed air in the tire from escaping back to atmosphere.

Other 2/2 compressed air valves commonly encountered are those push button valves on the handle of air tools, and the air-horns that are commonly heard at sporting events.

The air-horns were designed as distress sirens for small boat operators. The push button on the top of the gas canister is the 2/2 valve, and it’s the pressure of the compressed gas trapped in the canister that forces the valve shut (NC - normally closed) when the button is released.

I guess it’s better to hear an air horn at a football game than indicating some poor boater’s distress out on the lake; unless it’s blasting into your ear, of course!

And as always, if you have any questions, please send me a message from the contact screen at my web site.

Bill Wade’s experience in compressed air and other industries spans decades; from field sales positions through to the corporate presidential office. His sales agency represents a select group of industrial firms. Mr. Wade writes about all facets of compressed air at http://www.about-air-compressors.com

Tags: air compressor, air filters, air lines, air valve, Compressed air, types of valves, valves, working

What’s a 32 Compressed Air Valve

Recently, I published an article on this site titled: What’s a 2/2 compressed air valve? Here, in the next installment in this series, is information on a slightly more complex air valve; the 3/2 style.

The first number in the 3/2 air valve, the three, refers to the number of “working” air ports that are found in the valve body. That is, the number of ports that supply air to the valve, and channel the compressed air to whatever it is that the valve is supposed to do.

Most 3/2 valves will have numbers or letters etched, cast or painted near each of their three “working” air ports. If there are numbers near the ports, the number 1 would be the supply port to bring the compressed air to that valve.

Port number 2 would be the working port from which air would flow to accomplish whatever task that you wanted that valve to do.

The third port in a 3/2 air valve is an “exhaust” port and if numbered, it could be a 3 or a 5. If the port designations in a 3/2 valve are letters, then port ‘A’ would be the supply port and port ‘B’ the working port, with the third port normally being an ‘E’.

As in the 2/2 valve there may be one or two additional ports in the ends of the 3/2 valve to allow an air signal line or lines to be connected. If this is the case, this 3/2 valve will either be single, or double air piloted.

The 2 in a 3/2 air valve indicates the number of positions that the internal valve mechanism has. In this case, two. When this valve is operated or actuated, it will either open or close and air will either flow to the application upon actuation, or it will be prevented from flowing.

Most 3/2 compressed air valves will be NC, or normally closed. When the valve is not actuated, it’s normal state is closed, and compressed air cannot pass through it.

If your application calls for air to flow through the valve when it’s not actuated, that the circuit needs air to be flowing through this valve when it is at rest, then a NO or normally open configured valve would be selected.

All 3/2 valves have actuators that will operate or ’shift’ the air valve. An external button, or toggle, or perhaps a solenoid actuator would be the visible actuator. Inside, there will likely be an internal actuator - a spring - which will shift the valve to the off position when the external actuator is not being used.

If the external actuator is ‘detented’, then when the valve is operated, it will stay in it’s last selected position until an operator changes it. Detented means it will stay where it’s put! This is useful when an operator needs to actuate the valve, and then manually perform another operation while the air valve feeds air to the application.

Unlike it’s less complex 2/2 valve cousin, the 3/2 valve is used when a compressed air supply is needed to an application or device that uses compressed air to power it, yet in itself has no integral air pathway to atmosphere. Therefore, when the device has performed it’s function, and it’s time to ‘deflate’ it or to let the compressed air back out, the third port in the 3/2 valve comes into play.

When the compressed air supply through the valve is shut off internally, a pathway back through the valve to atmosphere will be opened, to allow the compressed air to escape. The air supply is shut, so the compressed air flowing to the valve cannot flow through it, and the compressed air that was formerly in the device or application can now bleed back down the air line through the valve to exhaust.

So, what type of devices are these?

Usually they are single acting type actuators. One comes to mind immediately; “Air springs”.

Both Firestone and Goodyear (among others) manufacture “air springs”. These are devices that look like tires, but rather than have an opening in the middle of the doughnut where the rim goes, they are closed on both sides with steel plates. In one side there will be an air port to which an air line from a 3/2 valve can be connected. These “air springs” are mounted on their sides, picture a tire lying flat after you’ve taken it off your car, and can generate huge actuation forces. Force equals pressure times area, and the “piston” size inside an air spring can be huge. The application of air springs mirrors that of typical air cylinders, yet offer large capacity at a fraction of the cost of an air cylinder of a necessary size to generate the same force as the air spring.

Another application for 3/2 valves is single acting air cylinders. Whether they are spring extend or spring retract, an air supply is required to operate the SA cylinder. A 3/2 valve is designed to do just that.

A couple of more points; the 3/2 valve can have the exhaust port plugged, and voila, you have a 2/2 valve.

If the cost of the valve is the same, you can use a 3/2 air valve anywhere you might use a 2/2 valve. Since 2/2 valves always have to have the “working port” ultimately plumbed to atmosphere, that there is an exhaust port in a 3/2 valve offers no obstacle to it’s use.

If you have a double acting air cylinder, and you don’t have a 4/2 or 5/2 (more on these valves next article) available, you can use two 3/2 valves to operate any cylinder that requires two supply lines in order for it to extend and retract.

At ABOUT-air-compressors.com my e-book entitled All About Air Valves - Volume One is now available. If you are interested in more information about air valves, do visit the site and download a copy. This first e-book is an introduction to air valves, and focuses on the 2/2 iteration. Future volumes will focus on 3/2 valves, and then the 4/2 & 5/2 configurations.

And as always, if you have any questions, please send me a message from the contact screen at my web site.

Tags: air compressor, air filters, air lines, air valve, Compressed air, types of valves, valves, working

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Posted on June 30th, 2008 by itbsuperrich
Filed under: aircompressorunloader.air-compressor-guide.info | No Comments »

Why Care if There is Water in Your Compressed Air

The process of compressing air generates free water, and increases air borne water vapour. If you are not sure about why this occurs, take a look at the article on this site entitled “Why does water run out my compressed air line?”.

So what is the problem with a little - or perhaps a lot - of water coming down the compressed air line along with the compressed air?

A simple answer may be that it depends on what you are using the compressed air for.

The more complex answer follows.

For most applications, water blowing out the end of the air line with the compressed air is a problem.

If you are an air-brush painter, a micro-globule of water will land on your artwork, and prevent the paint from adhering to the surface. You end up with a fish-eye, or a lot of them, depending on how much water your compressor is generating.

Further, compressing air generates higher than normal water vapour content in the compressed air. When this air reaches a cool surface, the water vapour condenses into free water, making even more fish-eyes.

Air brush painters really have to get all the moisture out of their compressed air, both free flowing water and water vapour. For tips on how to do this visit ABOUT-air-compressors.com for much more information.

A lot of us do-it-yourselfers use compressed air to run air tools in our garages. The water in your compressed air will certainly coat the inside of the tool, and in time, rust it out. The life expectancy of the tool will be dramatically reduced when there is an air/water mixture running through the air tool.

Water will mix with your lubricating oil that you should be sending, with the air, through the tool. The water makes a sludge mix with the oil and any airborne debris (dust etc.) that comes with the compressed air. Then, when this sludge dries out between tool uses, the result might actually prevent the tool from working at all the next time you go to use it.

Hint: If the tool will not work when you are supplying enough air at the correct air pressure to run it (do please check these first) then sometimes a gentle tapping of the tool housing with a hammer might loosen up the vanes and allow the tool to run again. If this occurs, then once it’s working again, flood the inside of the tool with lubricating oil through the air connection, and run it into a bucket until all the oil has blown through. This may clean it sufficiently to allow it to run again next time you want to use it. Failing that, it’s time to take the tool to the shop for a stripping and cleaning, if you are not up to doing that yourself.

A few home compressed-air users may have built devices for their home or garage that use air valves and air cylinders to make them work.

Water flowing down with the compressed air will act negatively on both the air valves and the air cylinders.

With manual air valves the sticking can be overcome by exerting a bit more force on the valve handle. Not so with solenoid valves. These electrical devices shift the valve inernally with a magnetic coil or with pilot-air, and if the valve is full of gunk that came from the compressed air, it likely won’t work when you want it to. Once again, may I suggest a gentle tapping, the failure of which will mean either stripping and cleaning the valve or replacing it.

Air cylinders come from the factory with permanent lubrication. Read “permanent” as lasting a long while, not forever. Regardless of how you define permanent, know that the factory lubrication will not last as long if you have water running in and out of the cylinder as it cycles. Eventually all factory lubrication will be gone, and excessive cylinder wear will result.

Do you care if you have water in your compressed air? For the life expectancy and operation of your compressed air devices, I think you should!

Tags: air compressor, air cylinder, air valve, auto drain, clean air, Compressed air, filter, stuck, water

Air Compressor Unloader

What’s a 22 Compressed Air Valve

What’s a 32 Compressed Air Valve

Why Care if There is Water in Your Compressed Air

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