BENDIX BW1637 User Manual

Page of 40
3
governor closes and exhausts the air from above 
the unloader pistons. The unloader springs force the 
pistons upward and the inlet valves return to their seats. 
Compression is then resumed.
COMPRESSOR & THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM
GENERAL
The compressor is part of the total air brake system, more 
specifi cally, the charging portion of the air brake system. 
As a component in the overall system its condition, duty 
cycle, proper installation and operation will directly affect 
other components in the system.
Powered by the vehicle engine, the air compressor 
builds the air pressure for the air brake system. The air 
compressor is typically cooled by the engine coolant 
system, lubricated by the engine oil supply and has its inlet 
connected to the engine induction system.
As the atmospheric air is compressed, all the water vapor 
originally in the air is carried along into the air system, as 
well as a small amount of the lubricating oil as vapor. If an 
air dryer is not used to remove these contaminants prior 
to entering the air system, the majority, but not all, will 
condense in the reservoirs. The quantity of contaminants 
that reach the air system depends on several factors 
including installation, maintenance and contaminant 
handling devices in the system. These contaminants must 
either be eliminated prior to entering the air system or after 
they enter.
GOVERNOR
PORT
AIR
INLET
PORT
INLET
VALVE
OPEN
PISTON
MOVING
DOWN
DISCHARGE
VALVE
CLOSED
GOVERNOR
PORT
INLET
VALVE
CLOSED
PISTON
MOVING
UP
FIGURE 4 - OPERATIONAL-LOADED (INTAKE)
FIGURE 5 - OPERATIONAL-LOADED (COMPRESSION)
GOVERNOR
PORT
DISCHARGE
PORT
AIR
INLET
PORT
FIGURE 6 - OPERATIONAL-UNLOADED
DISCHARGE
VALVE
CLOSED
UNLOADER 
PISTON
DISCHARGE
VALVE
OPEN
AIR
INLET
PORT
line from returning to the cylinder bore as the intake and 
compression cycle is reseated.
NON-COMPRESSION OF AIR (UNLOADED)  
When air pressure in the reservoir reaches the cut-out 
setting of the governor, the governor allows air to pass from 
the reservoir, through the governor and into the cavity above 
the unloader pistons. The unloader pistons move down 
holding the inlet valves off their seats (see Figure 6.) With 
the inlet valves held off their seats by the unloader pistons, 
air is pumped back and forth between the two cylinders, and 
the discharge valves remain closed. When air pressure from 
the reservoir drops to the cut-in setting of the governor, the 
INLET VALVE
HELD OPEN
BY UNLOADER
PISTON
AIR
DISCHARGE
PORT
AIR
DISCHARGE
PORT