I. Core Functions of Atlas Copco BUFFER
Vibration buffering: Absorbs mechanical vibrations during the operation of the air compressor (such as the periodic vibrations of the motor and the main unit), preventing the transmission of vibrations to the pipeline, base, or other equipment, and reducing the risk of resonance.
Impact mitigation: Buffers the instantaneous impact force during startup, shutdown, or load changes (such as the piston reversal of reciprocating air compressors, or loading and unloading of screw compressors), protecting connecting components (such as pipeline interfaces, bolts).
Pressure pulsation attenuation: Reduces pressure fluctuations in the pipeline during the flow of compressed air (especially the exhaust pulses of reciprocating air compressors), stabilizes system pressure, and reduces pipeline fatigue and damage.
Noise reduction: Reduces noise generated by vibration through elastic deformation or damping (such as the impact sound of metal parts, air flow pulsation noise).
II. Common Types and Application Scenarios of Atlas Copco BUFFER
According to the buffering object and principle, air compressor buffering components are mainly divided into the following types:
1. Atlas Copco BUFFER Mechanical Vibration Buffering Components
Rubber shock absorbers / shock absorbers
Structure: Made of natural rubber, nitrile rubber (oil-resistant), or chloroprene rubber, mostly in block, ring, or composite structure with metal frames (to enhance load-bearing capacity).
Application: Installed between the main unit of the air compressor, the motor, and the base, absorbing vibrations through the elastic deformation of rubber (such as the base of the screw compressor entire machine, the motor support of the piston compressor).
Characteristics: Low cost, easy installation, suitable for medium and low-frequency vibrations (10-100Hz), with a temperature range typically -30 to 80℃.
Spring shock absorbers
Structure: Composed of metal springs (screw springs, disc springs) and rubber, with the spring providing the main buffering force and the rubber suppressing resonance.
Application: Large air compressors or equipment with severe vibrations (such as mobile air compressors), with strong load-bearing capacity (up to several tons), suitable for low-frequency large-amplitude vibrations.
2. Atlas Copco BUFFER Pipeline System Buffering Components
Pipe joints / bellows
Structure: Metal bellows (steel material, resistant to high pressure) or high-pressure rubber hoses (inner layer of oil-resistant rubber, outer layer of woven steel wire reinforcement), with threaded or flange interfaces at both ends.
Application: Pipeline connections between the air compressor outlet and the storage tank, dryer, absorbing displacement caused by thermal expansion and contraction or vibration of the pipeline, avoiding breakage of hard connections (such as adding bellows at the exhaust port of reciprocating air compressors due to pulsating vibration).
Parameters: The working pressure needs to match the system pressure (usually 0.8-1.6MPa, high-pressure models can reach 10MPa or more), the temperature resistance is selected based on the medium temperature (rubber hoses ≤ 120℃, metal bellows ≤ 300℃).
Pulsation buffer (air accumulator)
Structure: A sealed container, internally separated into gas chambers and liquid chambers (compressed air side) by a diaphragm or air bag, using the compressibility of gas to absorb pressure pulsations.
Application: Exhaust pipelines of reciprocating air compressors, alleviating pressure fluctuations caused by periodic exhaust (such as the pressure pulse caused by each stroke of the piston compressor), stabilizing the supply pressure of downstream equipment.
3. Atlas Copco BUFFER Components Between Buffers
Buffer pads / buffer sleeves
Structure: Made of polyurethane, nylon, or hard rubber, in sheet, ring, or sleeve shape.
Application:
Lagging between bolts: Placed between the bolt head and the equipment surface to reduce vibration-induced loosening of bolts, while avoiding wear caused by direct metal contact (such as buffer pads for cylinder head bolts).
Gasket between moving parts: Such as buffer sleeves between the sliding blades of the screw compressor and the rotor slots, reducing shock noise and wear during blade sliding.
Coupling buffer components
Structure: Elastic pin (rubber or polyurethane material),梅花形 elastic body， used in the coupling between the motor and the main unit of the air compressor. Function: While transmitting torque, it also buffers the radial and axial deviations between the two shafts and absorbs the impact torque during startup (such as the梅花 pad in the elastic coupling of the screw machine).
III. Key Parameters and Selection Basis of Atlas Copco BUFFER
Load-bearing capacity: Select based on the load borne by the buffer component (such as the shock pad needs to match the weight of the equipment， and the hose needs to withstand the system pressure) to avoid deformation or rupture due to overload.
Elastic coefficient： It needs to match the vibration frequency to avoid resonance (such as the natural frequency of the shock absorber should be lower than 1/√2 of the equipment's vibration frequency).
Media compatibility： When in contact with compressed air or lubricating oil， select materials that are resistant to oil and aging (such as nitrile rubber， stainless steel) to avoid corrosion failure.
Environmental adaptability： In high-temperature conditions (such as near the exhaust port)， select materials that are resistant to high temperatures (such as silicone rubber， metal bellows)； in humid environments， consider rust prevention (such as galvanized metal parts).
IV. Maintenance and Failure Judgement of Atlas Copco BUFFER
Regular inspection：
Shock pad / shock absorber： Observe for cracks， hardening， deformation (such as rubber aging and losing elasticity)， and measure the equipment's vibration amount (vibration instrument can be used for detection， replacement is required if the value exceeds the standard).
Hose / bellows： Check for bulges， damage， interface leakage， and for weld cracks in metal bellows.
Buffer pad / elastic body： Check for wear (such as whether the coupling's梅花 pad has been flattened or torn).
Failure causes：
Aging： Rubber components are affected by temperature changes and oil mist for a long time， resulting in hardening and cracking (the lifespan is usually 1-3 years， depending on the environment).
Overload： Exceeding the rated load-bearing pressure or weight， causing permanent deformation (such as the hose bursting due to overpressure).
Incorrect installation： If the shock absorber is not installed horizontally， it will be subjected to uneven force， or if the hose has a too small bending radius， it will cause local wear.
Replacement cycle：
Rubber-based buffer components： It is recommended to inspect every 1-2 years， and replace them in time if signs of aging are found；
Metal-based buffer components (such as bellows)： Inspect every 3-5 years， and extend the use if there are no obvious damages.
