The rotary tooth compressor is a type of displacement compressor. Displacement compressors enclose air in a chamber and reduce the volume through displacement of one or more moving parts to increase the pressure. There are many types of displacement compressors including scroll, screw, diaphragm, vane and piston compressors.
A rotary tooth compressor has two rotors, male and female, that move in opposite directions within the compression chamber. Controlled by a set of gear wheels, these rotors are always synchronized to ensure optimal compression. As the rotors turn toward each other, they draw in air. Intake stops once the rotors have turned to completely block the inlet port.
The air is compressed as the rotors continue to turn, shrinking the available space within the compression chamber. During this stage, the outlet is closed to avoid letting the air escape, while the inlet is taking in more air. The fully compressed air is discharged when one rotor opens the outlet port, forcing the air out. Rotary tooth compressors are typically used for pharmaceutical, food and beverage, electronics and health care industries.
Originally developed for applications necessitating extremely pure air, Atlas Copco’s ZR/ST series of Class 0 certified oil-free rotary tooth compressors deliver 100 percent oil-free air ideal for the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. Download a free copy of our compressed air manual to learn more about this technology, or contact an Atlas Copco expert for more information.