Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

Our team (1566 The Ammoknights) is wondering if it is possible to "charge" a pneumatic ram. In other words, is there a way to store potential energy in a pneumatic ram and then release it very quickly?

Thanks,

Mitch Guzman
Team Captain Team #1566

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

if you have an air tank between the valve and ram, and a mechanism to release the ram after it has been pressurized, you can get the cam to move quite fast.

I believe team 360 used this in combination with a large spring to launch the trackballs during Overdrive.

also, if you need speed, lower the diameter of your cylinder. it won't be as strong, but it will move much faster. if you add a weight on the end of the cylinder, the momentum will impart significant force.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

The easiest way I can think of is to use a stop to hold the actuator whilethe cylinder is charged, then release the stop to release it... just like you would do using a spring or similar power source.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

exactly, you just have to be extremely careful, as there are huge forces involved!

a 2 inch diameter cylinder pushes with close to 200 pounds of force at 60 PSI!

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

you can get a more instant oomph if you lock the piston at 1/3 extension b4 pressurizing and then releasing it. that way the gas can expand faster since it's already in the piston.

Note: this accomplishes the same thing as having a piston extension lock and a tank between the solenoid and piston... just a tad faster.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

wow! thats a really cool idea. Im gonna try that out this weekend and see what we can do.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

Several teams used this concept in 2008 to launch the track ball. Also consider using an "over center" linkage design...so you don't need to use a lot of force to release it.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

We did something simmilar in 2008, where our catapult was held down by a pneumatic latch. We then charged the cylinder powering the catapult with 60 psi, and when we wanted to fire, we essentialy pulled the pin. This worked quite well and we were able to fire the ball over the overpass easily.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

How many times can the piston crash against its end before it hammers itself apart?
Bruce

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

Most cylinders have 'bumpers' within them to prevent damage when being fully actuated.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

How did you lock it in place? Did you use a piston to push a pin into the lock? Or did you just use the piston as the pin? If it was the latter, can you tell me what size your pistons were and how much damage was done to the smaller lock piston?

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

dont add weight to the end of the ram, remember, KE = (mv^2)/2

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

As a reminder to all teams and those that are reading this thread...
R01> Energy used by FRC ROBOTS, (i.e., stored at the start of a MATCH), shall come only from the following sources:
A. Electrical energy derived from the onboard 12V battery (see Rule <R40> for specifications and further details).
B. Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI in no more than four Clippard Instruments tanks. Extraneous lengths of pneumatic tubing shall not be used to increase the storage capacity of the air storage system.
C. A change in the altitude of the ROBOT center of gravity.
D. Storage achieved by deformation of ROBOT parts.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

I don't see why using a locking system and pneumatic cylinder breaks any of these rules at all.

Re: Potential Energy stored in a pneumatic ram
 

It depends on how it is used. You could apply force to the rod of a pneumatic cylinder that had air trapped behind the piston by a closed valve. This could cause the air in the cylinder to exceed 60psi, which would be a rule violation. There are various ways to both do this sort of thing and prevent it, depending on what you are trying to accomplish