The new oil-free air compressor from Mahle uses a Nikasil-coated cylinder with a Teflon piston ring and a sliding lacquer coating on the piston skirt to eliminate the need for oil lubrication Advantages include clean, oil-free compressed air flow, low maintenance costs, low weight, and low frictional resistance because no oil control ring is necessary. The piston, piston ring, and cylinder are a complete unit. For the compressor manufacturer, this means minimal systems weight, thanks to aluminum pistons and cylinders, optimal temperature control of the perfectly harmonized components, and high durability. The new components also make it possible to physically separate the compressor from the gear drive of the combustion engine and power it via an electric 48-volt drive that can be controlled to meet demand. This not only minimizes background noise but also achieves a measurable reduction in CO2, depending on the driving situation.
The compressor is ideal for future use in battery electric vehicles, which cannot draw on an existing engine oil reservoir like vehicles with a combustion engine. The Nikasil coating, PTFE piston rings, and sliding lacquer coating on the piston skirt also offer advantages for manufacturers who would like to continue using oil-lubricated compressors for the time being, because they reduce the compressor’s oil consumption, friction, and weight.
Mahle Industries Inc., us.mahle.com, 248 305 8200
