Varying Regulator Pressure Using Mechanical Device

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Madison,
There is currently no rule that would prevent it. When this discussion came up a few years ago, we all did some searching and found several electrically operated regulators. Unfortunately most were designed for AC 24 volt controls. While we expected many teams to jump on the band wagon, we actually saw very few in inspections. I don't remember seeing any on the robots I inspected. I am going to guess that was due to either cost, complexity of control or additional weight. I know one team showed a servo attachment but the servo was not legal under FRC rules at the time. Please remember that all other rules still apply and one of those is the ability to release all stored pressure through one pressure relief valve.

[R77]
The pressure vent plug valve must be connected to the pneumatic circuit such that, when manually operated, it will
vent to the atmosphere to relieve all stored pressure. The valve must be placed on the Robot so that it is visible
and easily accessible. If the compressor is not used on the Robot, then an additional vent valve must be obtained
and connected to the high-pressure portion of the pneumatic circuit off board the Robot with the compressor (see
Rule [R73]).

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Madison,
There is currently no rule that would prevent it. When this discussion came up a few years ago, we all did some searching and found several electrically operated regulators. Unfortunately most were designed for AC 24 volt controls. While we expected many teams to jump on the band wagon, we actually saw very few in inspections. I don't remember seeing any on the robots I inspected. I am going to guess that was due to either cost, complexity of control or additional weight.

Wasn't there a potential problem with the electric regulator containing a non-KOP motor?

[JamesCH95]

I would setup the adjustable regulator downstream of the fixed 60psi Norgren regulator, to ensure nothing cause your pneumatic components to operate over 60psi.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I meant to add that the Q&A is the only official answer on the use of items not listed in the rules. I am not the GDC so my answers are not official.

[martin417]

If you are trying to vary the force / speed of cylinders, there is a trick involving multiple cylinders. Instead of one large cylinder, use several small cylinder in parallel, each connected to its own valve.

To vary speeds: Connect all cylinders to the valves in the normal fashion. High force kick, extend all cylinders. Lower force, extend some cylinders, keep some in retract, these retracting cylinders will "fight" the extending ones, reducing the force and speed. A cylinder has more force in extend than it does in retract, so as long as you have as many or more cylinders extending than retracting, it will extend. If you use four cylinders, that will give you three different extend speeds / forces. We did this in 2010 (we also used surgical tubing to help extend, so we could actually extend with all but one cylinder in retract)