🔍 Key Concepts

• Reciprocating air compressor operation over a cycle (intake, compression, discharge) • Effect of leaky or improperly seated valves on volumetric efficiency and actual output (displacement capacity) • Relationship between compressor capacity and how long it must run to restore system pressure between cut-in and cut-out

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens to the amount of air actually moved each stroke if a suction or discharge valve does not seat tightly. • If the compressor is moving less/more effective air per stroke, how does that change the time it must run to reach the same receiver pressure? • Does a leaking valve make the machine effectively stronger or weaker in terms of useful air delivered?

✅ Before You Answer

• Clarify the difference between displacement (theoretical swept volume) and effective capacity (useful air actually delivered). • Decide whether bad valve seating makes the compressor handle more or less air per unit time. • From that, determine whether the time between pressure cut-in and cut-out would be longer or shorter.