Any restrictions on engines?

[eliman47]

I was thinking of putting on an engine on the robot but wasn't sure before I put it all on.

[CalTran]

Um...if we're talking competition robot then yes...

[Jon Stratis]

Look at [R36] in the 2012 rules to see what sources of energy are allowed (hint: it does not list any engines). Also see [R48] for a list of motors allowed on the robot.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

This is [R48], it says which motors are legal on the robots.

The only motors and actuators permitted on 2012 FRC Robots include:
up to 4 CIM motors (part #FR801-001, M4-R0062-12, AM802-001A, 217-200, PM25R-44F-1005 or PMR25R-45F-1003),
up to 4, in any combination, of the BaneBots motors provided in the KOP (acceptable part numbers are M7-RS775-12, M7-RS775-18, M5-RS550-12, M5-RS550-12-B, and M3-RS395-12),
up to 2 window motors (acceptable part #s are 262100-3030 and 262100-3040),
up to 2 FisherPrice motors (acceptable part #s are 000968-9012, 00968-9013, 00801-0673, and 00968-9015),
up to 2 AndyMark motors (acceptable part # is am-0912),
up to 2 AndyMark gearmotors (acceptable part # is am-0914),
up to 2 Denso throttle control motors (acceptable part # AE235100-0160)
up to 2 VEX motors (acceptable part # 276-2177)
up to 2 window lift, seat, windshield wiper or door motors obtained through either the FIRST-Automotive Recyclers Association partnership or from a prior years’ KOP.

[DonRotolo]

...and of course we all know the difference between a motor and an engine, right?

[rsisk]

Going out on a limb here but I would guess that combustion engines and rocket engines are not legal next year

Don, the answer is no. But after a google search, appears an engine converts a chemical energy into motion, a motor converts electrical energy into motion.

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Don, the answer is no. But after a google search, appears an engine converts a chemical energy into motion, a motor converts electrical energy into motion.

The definition I've always heard is that an engine burns fuel, while a motor is a general term for a component that does work. For example, it is perfectly acceptable to say "my car's motor won't start," but not technically correct to call what's under the hood of a Tesla an engine.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

The definition I've always heard is that an engine burns fuel, while a motor is a general term for a component that does work. For example, it is perfectly acceptable to say "my car's motor won't start," but not technically correct to call what's under the hood of a Tesla an engine.

Since I drive a Prius, there is a very important difference between saying "there's a problem with my engine" and "there's a problem with my motor"!

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

The definition I've always heard is that an engine burns fuel, while a motor is a general term for a component that does work.

This definition leaves out steam engines, stirling engines, and perhaps others.

Maybe: an engine takes advantage of differences in pressure, specific volume, and/or temperature to do useful work on a system.

[GBK]

Go with a Big Block. The torque is awesome and you cant beat the sound of a built Big Block with a high lift cam and some open headers. A blower would be a nice addition as well.

Good luck getting past the inspector.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by GBK

Go with a Big Block. The torque is awesome and you cant beat the sound of a built Big Block with a high lift cam and some open headers. A blower would be a nice addition as well.

Good luck getting past the inspector.

That's what I did.

But not on the robot.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Originally Posted by squirrel

That's what I did.

But not on the robot.

image

that sound... It's beautiful

[Camren]

Originally Posted by GBK

Go with a Big Block. The torque is awesome and you cant beat the sound of a built Big Block with a high lift cam and some open headers. A blower would be a nice addition as well.

Good luck getting past the inspector.

Drops a overhauled 350 into a robot chassis but there isnt room for a manipulator and inspection is a pain.
# FIRST world problems

[JesseK]

Wait! Wait! You guys are totally missing the obvious FRC legal engine! It runs on compressed air. This is a fun thought exercise since the GDC doesn't put any direct restrictions on it except for weight, volume, and the restrictions on the source of the compressed air (the only FRC-legal compressors, powered by FRC-legal batteries).

I'm sure we could make a drive train, lift, arm, rollers, or some mechanism "move" using it! The utility of such an engine is up to the designer -- who are we to mock it given that we haven't gone through the exercise?

I'm thinking of a robot that looks like the amalgamation of balloons in the movie "Up", where the team has to start filling the tanks as soon as they get to competition and then continue filling the tanks at every spare moment so they don't run out of air during two back-to-back matches. Maybe that's a bit far-fetched; maybe it won't take as much air.

If anything, it may make a cool Hybrid approach to the drive train: extra "boost" in a pushing match for a single-speed robot that's geared for 11ft/s. Maybe it's worth the weight to an outside-the-box type of team; maybe it's not.

[GBK]

Originally Posted by Camren

Drops a overhauled 350 into a robot chassis but there isnt room for a manipulator and inspection is a pain.
# FIRST world problems

Nothing wrong with that high rev horsepower from that small block.. But I will take the wheel spinning heavy car moving torque of that big block any day.