BENDIX TU-FLO 400-500-1000 AIR COMPRESSOR manual General, Description

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

GENERAL

The function of the air compressor is to build up and maintain the air pressure required to operate air powered devices in air brake or air auxiliary systems.

DESCRIPTION

Tu-Flo®Type 400, 500, and 1000 compressors are single stage, reciprocating piston type compressors. Tu-Flo®400 (Fig. 1) and 500 (Fig. 2) compressors have two cylinders while the Tu-Flo®1000 compressor (Fig. 3) is a V-type design having four cylinders. The rated capacity of all Bendix compressors is their piston displacement in cubic feet per minute when operating at 1,250 RPM. The rated capacity of the Tu-Flo®400 compressor is 7-1/4 cubic feet per minute. The Tu-Flo®500 compressor is rated at 12 cubic feet per minute and the Tu-Flo®1000 compressor has a rating of 24 cubic feet per minute.

Tu-Flo®type compressors have automatic type inlet valves. Their unloading mechanisms are located in the cylinder block

and they have no external moving parts. Both air and water cooled type compressors are available. Various mounting and drive adaptations are used as required by different vehicle engine designs (Fig. 4).

FIGURE 1 - TU-FLO®400 AIR COMPRESSOR

FIGURE 2 - TU-FLO®500 AIR COMPRESSOR

FIGURE 3 - TU-FLO®1000 AIR COMPRESSOR

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FIGURE 4 - VARIOUS COMPRESSOR MOUNTINGS

Compressors are either engine or self-lubricated. The majority used are the engine lubricated types (Fig. 5) which obtain the oil necessary to lubricate their moving parts from the engines on which they are mounted. To meet the requirements of some manufacturers and for field installations, self-lubricated types (Fig. 6) are available. They are compressors having a self-contained oil supply and pumping system.

The method of lubricating the moving parts of the compressor is the same in either type. Oil is forced through the oil passage in the crankshaft and out around each connecting rod journal. The turning motion of the crankshaft throws the oil that is forced out at the journals, against the cylinder bores and crankcase walls, lubricating the bores and crankshaft bearings.

The wrist pins and wrist pin bushings are lubricated in two ways depending upon the type connecting rods used. Older design compressors had forged steel rifle-drilled rods through which oil was forced to the wrist pin bushings. Later versions