Pneumatic LEGO air compressor

At some point I needed a motorised air compressor for my pneumatic LEGO projects. One that apply for all kinds of purposes. It should automatically turn off when a particular high pressure level was reached and start again when it reached a low pressure watermark.

I viewed many example of other compressor on the web. I was particular interested in the pressure switch made by The Hempel Design Group.

I used a electric RC Race Buggy Motor (part no: 5292) and 4 small pneumatic pumps (part no: x191c01) and one small pneumatic cylinder (part no: x189c01) together with 3 pneumatic airtank (part no: 67c01).
When the pressure raise to a specific level the pneumatic cylinder will push the lift arm 6x4 which turns the electric technic pole reverser switch (part no: 6551). Then the motor is turned off. When the pressure level is to low the pneumatic cylinder is pulled back by the rubber band: The switch will turn on the motor again.

I use this compressor now for more then a year. It is right here at my desk and it is always (electric) powered on (battery switches is on), but when no air is needed it automatically switch off.
Check the video at Google Video:

I used the NXT (part no: 53788) and a Mindsensors pneumatic pressure sensor to measure the pressure. The pressure is rising from 0 to 33 PSI (2275 mBar) and then the motor is turn off by the pole reverse switch. When I release air with the pneumatic switch the pressure falls back to 0. At about 15 PSI (1034 mBar) the motor starts again.

note: PSI means pounds per square inch.
1 Bar (1000 mBar) = 14.5038 PSI
1 PSI = 0.068947mBar
(for more info look at http://www.convertworld.com/en/pressure)

Read more about the Mindsensors pneumatic pressure sensor and my NXT sensor graphic drawing program here...

Check the complete Pneumatic LEGO air compressor high resolution photo gallery at Google Picasa...

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