Power Bumpers

[Mr. Freeman]

Originally Posted by Mike Betts

A "precharged" piston could increase it's pressure beyond the safe limit set by FIRST when the piston rod is hit.

I think all the regulators vent if the pressure in the downstream line increases above whatever they're set to. This should prevent the pressure in any pistons from increasing above the safe limit.

[Matt H.]

Originally Posted by Mr. Freeman

I think all the regulators vent if the pressure in the downstream line increases above whatever they're set to. This should prevent the pressure in any pistons from increasing above the safe limit.

This may be correct however pressure changes are not instantaneous. If a cylinder is impacted there will be a local increase in pressure within the cylinder meaning the cylinder will be exposed to high pressures before the regulator can vent the pressure.
Consider the traditional bike pump (which is just a cylinder). Even when pumping nothing (i.e. moving air around) a local pressure region developes inside the pump making pumping more difficult--If you were to hit the handle with a hammer a very high pressure region would develope before it could be vented by the nozzle.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Taggin along on Mike's post, ask the Q&A as their answer is the only official one. However, bumpers mounted on parts of the robot that move must still be within the size limits at it's maximum size. If the robot is less that 28x38x60 and the bumper is firmly attached to a robot that grows in size but does not exceed the stated dimensions, it is possible that such a robot might be legal. Of course everything is subject to the inspection process as pointed out. Of particular note, is that any contact with the bumpers must occur in the bumper zone and
<R06>
ROBOTs must use ROVER WHEELS (as supplied in the 2009 Kit Of Parts and/or their equivalent as provided by the supplying vendor) to provide traction between the ROBOT and the ARENA.
(emphasis is mine)