What is the principle behind how a rotary vane compressor operates?

A rotary vane compressor functions based on a design that utilizes rotors. In this system, the rotors are mounted on a shaft inside a cylindrical housing. As the shaft rotates, the vanes extend outwards due to centrifugal force and slide in and out of slots in the rotor. This movement creates a series of expanding and compressing chambers within the housing.

As the rotor turns, air enters one side of the housing and is trapped by the vanes. The decreasing volume of these chambers due to the rotation of the rotor compresses the air. This process effectively increases the pressure of the air as it moves towards the exhaust outlet of the compressor.

This mechanism is efficient and particularly suited for applications requiring continuous air flow. Understanding this principle helps in grasping the operational capacity and efficiency of rotary vane compressors compared to other compression methods.