Pneumatic system is a branch of engineering that makes use of gas or compressed air.
The principles of pneumatic are the same as those for hydraulic, but pneumatic transmits power using a gas instead of a liquid.
With pneumatic, air is usually pumped into a receiver using a compressor. The receiver holds a large volume of compressed air to be used by the pneumatic system as needed. Atmospheric air contains airborne dirt, water vapor, and other contaminants, so filters and air dryers are often used in pneumatic systems to keep compressed air clean and dry, which improve reliability and service life of the components and system. Pneumatic systems also use a variety of valves for controlling direction, pressure, and speed of actuators.
Where Is Pneumatics Used?
Though most of us do not realize it, we are surrounded by systems based on pneumatics. Below are some examples.
Air brakes on buses and trucks are formally known as compressed air brake systems. These systems use a type of friction brake in which compressed air presses on a piston, and then applies the pressure to the brake pad that stops the vehicle.
Exercise machines can be built on pneumatic systems. A pneumatic cylinder creates resistance that can be adjusted with air pressure.
Compressed-air engines, also called pneumatic motors, do mechanical work by expanding compressed air. Usually the compressed air is converted to mechanical action by rotary or linear motion.
Pressure regulators are valves designed to automatically stop the flow of a liquid or gas when it reaches a certain pressure.
Pressure sensors are used to measure the pressure of gases or liquids.
Pipe organs produce sound by pushing pressurized air through pipes that are chosen by pressing keys on a keyboard.
Inflatable structures, such as balloons, bouncy castles, or blow up figures are inflated with a gas – air, helium, nitrogen, or hydrogen. The pressure of the gas keeps the structure inflated.
Cable-jetting is a technique used to put cables into ducts. Compressed air is inserted and flows through the duct and along the cable.
Pneumatic mail systems deliver letters through pressurized air tubes. This was invented by a Scottish engineer in the 1800s.
Gas compressors are devices that increase the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.
A pneumatic bladder is an inflatable bag technology that can be used to seal drains and ducts to contain chemical gases or spills, to stabilize cargo within a container, or to float an artificial coral reef. They can be used in medical research, and have other applications as well.
Pneumatic cylinders use the power of compressed gas to produce a force.
A vacuum pump removes gas molecules from a sealed container, leaving behind a partial vacuum. This concept was invented in 1650.
Pressure switches close an electrical contact when a certain amount of pressure has been reached. The switch can be set up to make contact either when the pressure rises or when the pressure falls.
Pneumatic air guns use pre-compressed air as an energy source to put a projectile in motion.
Barostat systems maintain constant pressure in a closed chamber. They can be used for medical purposes.
Gas-operated reloading provides energy to run firearms.
Pneumatic tires are created with compressed air to inflate and form the body of a tire on a bike, car, or other vehicle.
A handheld jackhammer is a tool that combines a hammer and a chisel, and is usually powered by compressed air.
Even Legos can use pneumatics! There is a kind of Lego brick that uses air pressure to perform various actions using pneumatics concepts.