In a piston Air Compressor, air is compressed by a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder. Figure 10-26 shows the schematic diagram of a single-stage single-acting piston Air Compressor.
When the piston moves to the right, the pressure at the left end of the cylinder is slightly lower than the pressure p 1 of the air inhaled by the hand. At this time, the suction valve is opened, and the air enters the cylinder under the action of atmospheric pressure. This process is called the suction process; when the piston When returning, the inhaled air is compressed by the piston in the cylinder, and this process is called the compression process; when the air pressure in the cylinder increases to slightly higher than the pressure P 2 in the exhaust pipe, the exhaust valve is opened, and the compressed air is discharged into the exhaust pipe . In the exhaust pipe, this process is called the exhaust process. So far, a working cycle has been completed. The piston continues to move, and the above-mentioned work cycle is also repeated to complete the task of compressing air.
