Closed Loop Pneumatics

[bharrison6]

Was wondering if you did the setup with the compressor and regulator off the robot and filled your tank with 60 psi through the off-board regulator and had the cylinders extended. You then disconnect the off-board compressor/regulator and just have your tank, 120 psi relief valve and cylinders. You then retract the cylinders through mechanical means which effectively decreases your total volume and increases your total pressure. There is no pressure gauge to read this increase in pressure but I am thinking it might break the "working" pressure rule. But maybe not?

If yall think it does then does it fall in the category of "closed" loop Pneumatics which do not have psi limits?

Thanks for the replies.

[SenorZ]

I think because you are intentionally making your 60psi system go over 60 psi by applying a force, you are breaking pneumatic rules.

[EricH]

I think because you are intentionally making your 60psi system go over 60 psi by applying a force, you are breaking pneumatic rules.

Instead of "I think", how about taking a look at Q&A 129 (https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/129/does-r82s-60-psi-limit-apply-to-all-components-downstream-of-the-regulator-at-all-times-examples-where-60-psi-could-be-exceeded-1-compress-air-cylinder-faster-than-the-regulators-response-2-com), and making that "I know"? (Yes, you are correct--it's just that "I think" doesn't fly at inspection.)

You're also going to be in violation of R79. Oh, and yes, you DO have a gauge to read it, per R86. 3 potential rules violations, one setup. I'd almost think this was bumpers back in '09...


And no, it's not a closed-loop pneumatic system. For the record, those don't exist in FRC. You CAN use COTS closed-loop gas shocks--those don't count as pneumatics--but the described system is 100% pneumatic, and generally speaking you'd have a hard time getting it to be COTS, with you filling from an offboard compressor, so don't try that approach.

[cmwilson13]

just move the regulator to the robot. it by itself doesn't weigh much.

[cgmv123]

just move the regulator to the robot. it by itself doesn't weigh much.

And you can effectively double the volume of your tanks by storing high pressure air, which is worth its weight in gold.