Hydraulics?
 

Can we use hydraulics with our robot?
If so, what are the limitations on that as well.
Thank you.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

Hydraulics have not been permitted in FRC or FTC. Only pneumatics.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

Think how many teams have leaky pneumatic systems... not replace all that harmless air with icky oil. :( For once I am glad for the restrictions.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

For commercial airliners, replacing hydraulics with electric actuation may be the way of the future.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

Unfortunately motors are the only electronic actuators allowed in the past, no solenoids.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

The closest things allowed to hydraulics is sealed gas shocks. Can you imagine a venue pulling up the carpet only to find their basketball court/hockey rink is now stained with hydraulic oil? And the slipping and sliding going on in the pit....

Re: Hydraulics?
 

Hydraulics use liquid to transfer power. The liquid doesn't have to be oil, does it?

Re: Hydraulics?
 

You aren't volunteering to check that every robot at an event has the proper liquid, are you? If it involves removing a sample from the robot, I don't think I want to be involved--it's under pressure, usually (well, OK, it's trying to move, not necessarily under pressure).

Aside from hydraulic components eating up the weight limit, the mess factor (present regardless of liquid), and the problem of another 5 pages in the already-massive rulebook (and 50 posts asking about them on CD)...Well, I don't see a problem other than those few.

Actually, come to think of it, if you replace "liquid" with "fluid", pneumatics are hydraulics.:p:D

Re: Hydraulics?
 

The difference is that one uses a gas, the other a liquid. Both use fluids.

Hydraulics offer precise control. I think it's something worth looking into....but it wasn't my idea.

The reservoir in most hydraulic systems is not pressurized.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

hydraulics also sound heavy, liquids aren't light.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

A look inside the wheel well of a 737 gives you an idea of how awful it is to manage all the tubing for hydraulic lines. It's also pretty heavy.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

True, but would you want ANY liquid near your robot?

Re: Hydraulics?
 

electric brakes:

- less system weight

- reduced fire hazard

- less installation labor

- higher dispatch reliability

- health monitoring and on-condition maintenance

Re: Hydraulics?
 

We have quite a bit of experience with robots that work in liquids. It's not as scary as it sounds.

Re: Hydraulics?
 

Hydraulics don't need to be large and heavy. They don't necessarily have to be powered by huge pumps and have big heavy hoses.

Think about how a small cylinder like those on drum breaks can stop a 3000lb car.

Do a little research before making bold claims.