Pneumatic systems & components


A generator powered by compressed air

4th Quarter 2011 Pneumatic systems & components

Supplied locally by BMG, an importer and distributor of Metal Work pneumatic products, it is extremely easy to use. All that is needed to obtain a 24 V DC power supply is to connect a compressed air pipe to the input with an M8 connector. No power cables, electric connectors or electrical rotating manifolds are needed and there is no need to replace flat batteries, the big drawback of battery operated systems.

Supplied locally by BMG, an importer and distributor of Metal Work pneumatic products, it is extremely easy to use. All that is needed to obtain a 24 V DC power supply is to connect a compressed air pipe to the input with an M8 connector. No power cables, electric connectors or electrical rotating manifolds are needed and there is no need to replace flat batteries, the big drawback of battery operated systems.

A constant voltage of 24 V is maintained, regardless of the air pressure and the electric load applied. It can be left on and can produce electricity for tens of thousands of hours. It is switched off by cutting off the compressed air supply. A valve such as the V2VL from Metal Work’s line-on-line series can be used. Alternatively a 2/2 or 3/2 solenoid valve can be used, even at a distance from the Pneumo-power.

The minimum operating pressure is 0,4 MPa for the 3 W model and 0,3 MPa for the 7,5 and 12 W models. The maximum operating pressure is 0,7 MPa. If a higher power is used the Pneumo-power stops, the green light switches off and the red light starts flashing. It restarts automatically as soon as the power drops below the power threshold. The rated power depends on the input pressure.

Compressed air consumption depends on the model and pressure, so to avoid wastage it is important to select the most suitable model. However consumption is low. It requires 50 nl/min to generate 7,5 W, which is the amount of air that can pass through a hole of 0,8 mm in diameter.

Although the electricity generated by the Pneumo-power costs more than mains power, a positive economic balance is possible in applications where cables, copper or gold connectors can be eliminated. Metal Work is planning a new version which will reuse residual energy from the pneumatic cylinder discharge. This will save a considerable amount of energy.

Pneumo-power bears the CE mark as it has passed tests in accordance with the following electromagnetic compatibility standards:

* EN 61000-2: Part 6-2: Generic standards – Immunity for industrial environments.

* EN 61000-2: Part 6-3: Generic standard – Emission standard for residential, commercial, and light-industrial environments.

Pneumo-Power also complies with CEI EN 50014, 50021 and 50281-1-1 and can be marked Ex II 3 GD Eex nA II T5 X. A huge advantage in explosive environments is the absence of power cables connecting mains and utilities because the electricity is generated at the utilities themselves. The casing is made of treated and painted aluminium so it is impact resistant. The index of protection is IP65, which means the electronic circuit is insulated from liquid and dust. It comes with a silencer/filter and the maximum noise level is 75 dB at 1 metre.

The Pneumo-power can be used to power a rotating device, replacing the normal brushes for electrical contact (which are subject to wear) with a pneumatic rotating joint. It can also be used to power control units such as a PLC and PC; wireless receiver-transmitter nodes; sensors and actuators in an area covered by wireless nodes; emergency lights; and any general application where a 24 V DC power supply is required.

For more information contact Mark Johnson, BMG Hydraulics, +27 (0)11 614 2004, mjohnson@bmghydraulics.net, www.bmghydraulics.net





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