TM 5-4310-373-14
Section iii. TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
1-11. SECTION OVERVIEW. This section contains a
c.
ELECTRIC MOTOR. The electric motor drives
description of how the air compressor works. Paragraph
the air compressor D. An electric motor has the
advantage of being easily turned on and off so
graph 1-13 describes the operation of the individual com-
that the compressor does not have to be run
ponents.
when no air is being drawn from the air tank E.
d.
AIR COMPRESSOR. The air compressor com-
presses the air by means of two pistons. Its
a. PRESSURE SWITCH. The switch is wired in
series with the motor. When pressure in the
operation is similar to a gasoline engine except
tank drops below 160 psi, the switch closes
that the power to drive the pistons is supplied
and starts the motor. When pressure in the air
by the electric motor.
tank rises above 180 psi, the switch opens and
stops the motor.
Al R TANK. The air tank acts as a reservoir for
e.
the compressed air. It also dampens pressure
b. MOTOR STARTER. The starter protects the
motor from a current overload. Current over-
fluctuations which you would get if you took
load causes the starter to break the circuit and
the compressed air directly from the air com-
pressor.
stop the motor to prevent it from burning out.
