Diaphragm compressors can be understood in terms of inhalation and exhalation in human breathing and the use of compressed air in scuba diving. During inhalation, the contracting diaphragm expands the chest and lowers lung pressure, drawing in air. During exhalation, the relaxing diaphragm contracts the chest and increases lung pressure to push out air. Lastly, scuba divers use tanks of compressed air in a way that mimics a human-made diaphragm.
The three types of compressors discussed here relate to the concept of diaphragm compression, primarily in the context of human respiration and underwater breathing apparatuses. The diaphragm plays a vital role in inhalation and exhalation, compressing the chest cavity and creating a pressure differential to facilitate air flow.
First, the diaphragm contracts during inhalation, expanding the chest and lower pressure in the lungs. This decrease in pressure relative to the surrounding air results in air flowing into the lungs. This is a key example of how a diaphragm compressor works.
Second, in exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and the chest contracts, creating higher pressure in the lungs. The higher-pressure air is then forced out of the lungs. This release of air is similar to the release from a compressor when the compressed medium is let out.
Third, the use of compressed air by scuba divers exemplifies the compressor's function in a practical application. Here, the tank acts as a constant-volume temporary storage for the air, which is then allowed to expand and be breathed in by the diver when the valve is opened, with the tank essentially acting as a human-made diaphragm.
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