pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

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wow. thats awesome!!! i will make one right now

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The thought of that scares me.

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ROFL i dont know why but that thread made me laugh irl :p

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Nice!

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Don't you think a ball value would work better?
How long is the over-all assembly? And what it weight?

Re: pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

Matt looked into using ball valves, and could not find any that would work with the pneumatic cylinders we had available. They have too much friction, for one thing.

Weight of the complete valve assembly is actually relatively low, although I don't have a number and it's all assembled now so I can't weigh it. You can visit a hardware store and look over the valves, and see how the weight compares between gate valves and ball valves, if you'd like.

Re: pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

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Not spam sorry.

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So, let's start the discussion....would this combination of pneumatic and hydraulic components be FRC legal? If you think yes or no, please state the rule that would back up your descision.

Re: pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

We looked at ball valves as well and settled on the same solution you did. We found the gate valve to allow a larger initial flow of air over the ball valve. A shorter stroke makes more happen with the gate valve. Also they are cheap, easy to replace and take such a small amount of modification to make work with pneumatics it was a no brainer for us. Looks like clean work, should last you a long time too.

We actually changed out to a check valve from a well running in reverse on our new design. We use a cylinder to pull the barrel against the valve to unseat the valve and let air flow, then the air pressure left in the storage tank is used to reseal the valve when we let off the cylinder. It works pretty well but can let the o-ring blow out if you get too over zealous with the shirt flinging air pressure.

Re: pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

It all depends on how you use the valve. For moving air, definitely not legal per R75 as it has no air pressure rating, per R76 as it has been heavily modified, and per R77 as it is not a part of the Kit of Parts nor is it functionally equivalent to a KOP item and doesn't appear anywhere on the accepted list.

If using it as a mechanical valve to transmit, say small game pieces. Totally legal

Re: pic: Pneumatic Gate Valve Actuator
 

I am thinking the ports are bigger than 1/8 npt, Not legal for FRC pneumatics. Since robot inspectors tend not to like anything unusual in the pneumatics, you would have a hard time getting it by them even if there were no specific rules against it.

I like the idea & the creativity though. Brass valves are typically rated WOG (water, oil, gas). And it doesn't have to be FRC legal. One concern would be the closing force is higher than the opening force (different areas in the cylinder. Sometimes an issue with wedges like gate valves.

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that only apply to solenoid valves (R77.C)? If this could be lumped in as a solenoid I would be amazed. But I completely agree that an inspector would probably not even feel the need to find a rule to make this not be allowed. Although the debate could be popcorn worthy as long as both sides stayed civil...

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Did I miss something? Why all the concern on "FRC legal" for a t-shirt cannon?
We've used an air actuated sprinkler valve similar to this on ours for years and it's worked great.

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Just for the fun of discussion. The liquid CO2 tank we use isn't legal either...

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You have a point. I think the correct answer is only components listed in R77 can be used. Pneumatically operated gate valves aren't on the list. :]

I like hot sauce with my popcorn. It would be fun to see how many inspections you could make it through.

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I would think at least two... Those would be the one I do and the one done by our student captain though. And I'm thinking I would probably flunk it based on the rules as written.