Pneumatics - Revision history

Jburk at 20:09, 17 December 2018

2018-12-17T20:09:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 17 December 2018
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	[[Category: ~~Lo-tech~~]]		[[Category: Emerging Technologies]]

Rfc: linkfix

2008-12-17T20:04:35Z

linkfix

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 17 December 2008
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	'''Pneumatics''' is a technology for [[automation]]. On [[Mars]] there are many processes to maintain in an artificial habitat, which needs automatic control and alarming. Pneumatics is an alternative to [[electronics]] and can provide exactly the same functionality and precision.		'''Pneumatics''' is a technology for [[automation]]. On [[Mars]] there are many processes to maintain in an artificial habitat, which needs automatic control and alarming. Pneumatics is an alternative to [[electronics]] and can provide exactly the same functionality and precision.

	The things we are used to do with electronics are not really bound to the flow of electrons and the creation of [[~~semiconductor~~]]s. Complex circuits can be constructed with flowing [[air]] instead of flowing electrons. This technology seems to be almost forgotten, and people tend to think of electronics as the only way of doing automation. On [[Earth]] it is easy to go to the electronics merchant and buy a handful of transistors and rectifiers. But on Mars? The settlers may not be able to build a transistor factory with all the costly technology required for making a transistor out of [[regolith]].		The things we are used to do with electronics are not really bound to the flow of electrons and the creation of [[electronics#Semiconductors\|semiconductors]]. Complex circuits can be constructed with flowing [[air]] instead of flowing electrons. This technology seems to be almost forgotten, and people tend to think of electronics as the only way of doing automation. On [[Earth]] it is easy to go to the electronics merchant and buy a handful of transistors and rectifiers. But on Mars? The settlers may not be able to build a transistor factory with all the costly technology required for making a transistor out of [[regolith]].

	The functional elements of pneumatics are made from [[metal]] tubes of different diameter and length, vessels, gaskets from [[synthetic materials]], etc. All this does not require [[hi-tech versus lo-tech\|hi-tech]] processes, and hence are easier to [[Equipment for autonomous growth#Reproductive Technology\|reproduce]], making it an interesting alternative for automation technology on Mars.		The functional elements of pneumatics are made from [[:category:metal\|metal]] tubes of different diameter and length, vessels, gaskets from [[synthetic materials]], etc. All this does not require [[hi-tech versus lo-tech\|hi-tech]] processes, and hence are easier to [[Equipment for autonomous growth#Reproductive Technology\|reproduce]], making it an interesting alternative for automation technology on Mars.

	==Physical basics==		==Physical basics==

Rfc: /* Physical basics */ some words for introduction

2008-12-16T21:27:52Z

Physical basics: some words for introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:27, 16 December 2008
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	==Physical basics==		==Physical basics==
			All pneumatics are powered by [[compressed-air]], which can easily be produced, perhaps even [[physical exercise\|manually]]. The following list gives a comparison with [[electricity]]:

	* Air ''pressure'' is the analogon to electrical ''voltage''.		* Air ''pressure'' is the analogon to electrical ''voltage''.
	* ''Flow'' of air is the analogon to electrical ''current''		* ''Flow'' of air is the analogon to electrical ''current''

Rfc: cat changed

2008-01-30T12:03:47Z

cat changed

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 30 January 2008
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	[[Category: ~~Technology~~]]		[[Category: Lo-tech]]

Ioneill: /* Elements */ some grammar

2007-12-05T18:29:31Z

Elements: some grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 5 December 2007
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	==Elements==		==Elements==

	There is no limit in size of the elements, ~~neither in small nor in big scales. It~~ depends on the ~~use case~~. A usual size of a resistor is about 2 cm long, which is a good size for easy handling. ~~The capacitors~~ are about 4 cm high with a 3 cm diameter, depending on the ~~needed~~ capacity.		There is no limit in size of the elements, they can be scaled up or scaled down, it depends on the situation. The usual size of a pneumatic resistor is about 2 cm long, which is a good size for easy handling. Capacitors are about 4 cm high with a 3 cm diameter, depending on the capacity required.

	The elements can be combined to circuits, for example a pneumatic astable multivibrator with optical signal output. Also, there are ~~high~~ sophisticated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller PID controllers] the size of a foot, made of pure pneumatics. Such circuits have been widely used in automation in the 1980s, especially in factories with dangerous explosive gases.		The elements can be combined to circuits, for example a pneumatic astable multivibrator with optical signal output. Also, there are highly sophisticated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller PID controllers] the size of a foot, made of pure pneumatics. Such circuits have been widely used in automation since the 1980s, especially in factories with dangerous explosive gases.

	{\|		{\|

Rfc: size of elements, use cases, links

2007-12-05T14:05:19Z

size of elements, use cases, links

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 5 December 2007
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	'''Pneumatics''' is a technology for [[automation]]. On [[Mars]] there are many processes to maintain in an artificial habitat, which needs automatic control and alarming. Pneumatics is an alternative to [[electronics]] and can provide exactly the same functionality and precision.		'''Pneumatics''' is a technology for [[automation]]. On [[Mars]] there are many processes to maintain in an artificial habitat, which needs automatic control and alarming. Pneumatics is an alternative to [[electronics]] and can provide exactly the same functionality and precision.

	The things we are used to do with electronics are not really bound to the flow of electrons and the creation of ~~semiconductors~~. Complex circuits can be constructed with flowing air instead of flowing electrons. This technology seems to be almost forgotten, and people tend to think of electronics as the only way of doing automation. On [[Earth]] it is easy to go to the electronics merchant and buy a handful of transistors and rectifiers. But on Mars? The settlers may not be able to build a transistor factory with all the costly technology required for making a transistor out of ~~sand~~.		The things we are used to do with electronics are not really bound to the flow of electrons and the creation of [[semiconductor]]s. Complex circuits can be constructed with flowing [[air]] instead of flowing electrons. This technology seems to be almost forgotten, and people tend to think of electronics as the only way of doing automation. On [[Earth]] it is easy to go to the electronics merchant and buy a handful of transistors and rectifiers. But on Mars? The settlers may not be able to build a transistor factory with all the costly technology required for making a transistor out of [[regolith]].

	The functional elements of pneumatics are made from [[metal]] tubes of different diameter and length, vessels, gaskets from [[synthetic materials]], etc. All this does not require hi-tech processes, and hence are easier to [[Equipment for autonomous growth#Reproductive Technology\|reproduce]], making it an interesting alternative for automation technology on Mars.		The functional elements of pneumatics are made from [[metal]] tubes of different diameter and length, vessels, gaskets from [[synthetic materials]], etc. All this does not require [[hi-tech versus lo-tech\|hi-tech]] processes, and hence are easier to [[Equipment for autonomous growth#Reproductive Technology\|reproduce]], making it an interesting alternative for automation technology on Mars.

	==Physical basics==		==Physical basics==
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	==Elements==		==Elements==

			There is no limit in size of the elements, neither in small nor in big scales. It depends on the use case. A usual size of a resistor is about 2 cm long, which is a good size for easy handling. The capacitors are about 4 cm high with a 3 cm diameter, depending on the needed capacity.

			The elements can be combined to circuits, for example a pneumatic astable multivibrator with optical signal output. Also, there are high sophisticated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller PID controllers] the size of a foot, made of pure pneumatics. Such circuits have been widely used in automation in the 1980s, especially in factories with dangerous explosive gases.

	{\|		{\|
	===Resistors===		===Resistors===
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	==Use cases==		==Use cases==
	*~~Temperature control~~		*Automatic sun orientation of mirrors or [[solar panel]]s for lighting and energy harvesting
			*Signalling of failures
	*Air pressure control		*Air pressure control
	*Timer for automatic watering in [[greenhouse]]s		*Timer for automatic watering in [[greenhouse]]s

	==See also==		==See also==
	*[[Hydraulics]]		*[[Hydraulics]] (e.g. for temperature control)


	[[Category: Technology]]		[[Category: Technology]]

Rfc: formatting

2007-11-27T12:27:17Z

formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 27 November 2007
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	===Resistors===		===Resistors===
	\|-		\|-
	\|style="width:60%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|		\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
	====Laminar Flow Resistor====		====Laminar Flow Resistor====
	This element has an effect upon flowing air just like a linear electric resistor has upon the flow of electrons. It is built from a metal tube of small diameter. The value of the resistance is linear and depends on the length of the element.		This element has an effect upon flowing air just like a linear electric resistor has upon the flow of electrons. It is built from a metal tube of small diameter. The value of the resistance is linear and depends on the length of the element.
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	{\|		{\|
	===Capacitors===		===Capacitors===
	~~'''~~This element is a vessel that can store an amount of air with more or less high pressure.~~'''~~		This element is a vessel that can store an amount of air with more or less high pressure.
	\|-		\|-
	\|style="width:60%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|		\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
	====Non-Linear Capacitor====		====Non-Linear Capacitor====
	This is just an empty vessel. The accumulated air volume is non-linear with the pressure.		This is just an empty vessel. The accumulated air volume is non-linear with the pressure.
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	\|}		\|}

			{\|
	===Inductors===		===Inductors===
			\|-
			\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
	This element has an effect upon flowing air just like a coil has upon the flow of electrons. It is built from a metal tube of big diameter. The flowing air has a certain inertia, which causes a flow resistance for a little while after the pressure has switched on, and pushes the air forward for a little while after the inital pressure has switched off. A passive turbine inside the tube has an intensifying effect.		This element has an effect upon flowing air just like a coil has upon the flow of electrons. It is built from a metal tube of big diameter. The flowing air has a certain inertia, which causes a flow resistance for a little while after the pressure has switched on, and pushes the air forward for a little while after the inital pressure has switched off. A passive turbine inside the tube has an intensifying effect.
			\|style="border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;text-align:right"\|
	[[Image:PneumaticsInductance.gif\|Inductance]]		[[Image:PneumaticsInductance.gif\|Inductance]]
			\|}

			{\|
	===Rectifiers===		===Rectifiers===
			\|-
			\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
	Everybody knows this from a bicycle: The air valves of the wheel tube let the air flow in only one direction.		Everybody knows this from a bicycle: The air valves of the wheel tube let the air flow in only one direction.
			\|style="border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;text-align:right"\|
	[[Image:PneumaticsRectifier.gif\|Rectifier]]		[[Image:PneumaticsRectifier.gif\|Rectifier]]
			\|}

			{\|
	===Amplifiers===		===Amplifiers===
			\|-
			\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
	There are various pneumatic amplifiers that act like an electronic transistor.		There are various pneumatic amplifiers that act like an electronic transistor.
			\|style="border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;text-align:right"\|
	[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]		[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]
			\|}

			{\|
	===Signal output===		===Signal output===
	For signal output there are optical and acoustical elements. The picture shows an optical output element:		\|-
			\|style="width:50%;border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;"\|
			For signal output there are optical and acoustical elements. The picture shows an optical output element.
			\|style="border:1px solid #888888;padding:5px 5px 5px 5px;text-align:right"\|
	[[Image:PneumaticsOpticalOutput.gif\|Optical Output Element]]		[[Image:PneumaticsOpticalOutput.gif\|Optical Output Element]]
			\|}

	==Use cases==		==Use cases==

Rfc: Signal output

2007-11-27T10:25:59Z

Signal output

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:25, 27 November 2007
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	* Air ''pressure'' is the analogon to electrical ''voltage''.		* Air ''pressure'' is the analogon to electrical ''voltage''.
	* ''Flow'' of air is the analogon to electrical ''current''		* ''Flow'' of air is the analogon to electrical ''current''
			* An ''air compressor'' is the analogon to an electrical ''voltage source''.
			* The ''environmental air pressure'' is the analogon to the electrical ''ground''.

	==Elements==		==Elements==
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	[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]		[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]

			===Signal output===
			For signal output there are optical and acoustical elements. The picture shows an optical output element:
			[[Image:PneumaticsOpticalOutput.gif\|Optical Output Element]]

	==Use cases==		==Use cases==

Ioneill: /* Amplifiers */

2007-11-27T09:45:07Z

Amplifiers

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:45, 27 November 2007
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	===Amplifiers===		===Amplifiers===
	There are various pneumatic amplifiers that act like an electronic transistor.		There are various pneumatic amplifiers that act like an electronic transistor.

	[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]		[[Image:PneumaticsAmplifier.gif\|Amplifier]]

Ioneill: /* Use cases */ typo

2007-11-27T03:21:02Z

Use cases: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:21, 27 November 2007
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	==Use cases==		==Use cases==
	*~~Temperatur~~ control		*Temperature control
	*Air pressure control		*Air pressure control
	*Timer for automatic watering in [[greenhouse]]s		*Timer for automatic watering in [[greenhouse]]s