Pneumatic Power FRC Conference 42706.ppt

Pneumatic Power FRC Conference 4/27/06 By Raul Olivera Agenda Some Basics of Pneumatics and Associated Physics Pressure - Absolute Gage Force, Pressure Area Air Properties Flow Rates Electrical Analogy Mechanical Power Work Pneumatic Energy Power Managing Pneumatic Energy Capacity Power Experiment Pneumatics vs. Motors Pressure - Absolute Gage Pressure = matter pushing against matter Object pushing against another object Absolute (psia) = True matter based pressure 0 psia = no matter present to press against objects Not too important in our designs Gage (psig) = Relative to Atmosphere 0 psig = pressure in equilibrium with atmosphere All regulators and gauges based on this Force, Pressure Area Pressure = Force / Area Force = Pressure X Area Example: 30 psig in 2” diameter cylinder Some Basic Properties of Air Compressible Higher Pressure = Higher Friction Ideal Gas Law: PV = nRT Pressure is proportional to Temperature Pressure is inversely proportional to Volume Pressure Volume Flow Rates Flow rate = Volume / time i.e. CFM (L/min, cu-in/sec) Flow Controls - Valves Solenoid Value Check Valve Relief Valve Flow Control Valve Unintended Flow Restrictions: Narrow Passages Flow Friction Pressure drops while it is flowing due to restrictions Electrical Analogy Pressure = Voltage Volume = Capacitance Flow rate = Current Flow Restrictions = Resistance HOWEVER: Air is compressible = more non-linearities than those in electrical systems Mechanical Power Work Work = Force x Distance Also Work = Torque x Revolutions Mechanical Energy is always involved in doing work It is transferred or converted Power = Work / Time or Energy / Time Power Concept How far an object can be moved in a given time The power rating of motors is what allows us to determine which ones can be used for a given job Power rating for pneumatic actuators? Depends greatly on the rest of the pneumatic system Pneumatic Energy Power Energy = Force x Distance Force = Pressure x Area Distance = Vol