YOU GOTTA LOVE PNEUMATICS!
OH MY STARS! Have you heard the word about Pascal's Principle of Equal Pressure
Distribution in Fluids? I quote: "A change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted
to every point of the fluid and the walls of the containing vessel. That wacky French guy! ( Blaise
Pascal 1623-1662 ). Think of things like P=F1/A1=F2/A2! Or how about the Hydraulic Press
( invented by Joe Bamah 1784-1814 )! In fact, the press represents a simple machine...the only
one with a known inventor ( at least that's what I have been told! ). To paraphrase others,
the outstanding features of this simple machine are (1) A tremendous mechanical advantage limited
only by the strength of its own components; (2) An ability to operate power units in remote or
inaccessible places, thereby eliminating the necessity for complicated mechanical devices that
would otherwise be required; and (3) An ability to generate smooth linear motion, free of harmful
vibration!
So what?
Well, LEGO® has a whole series of air pumps and air powered jacks! This presents wonderful
opportunities to explore the world of pneumatics! First a word about
hydraulics
There are a myriad of situations where pneumatics come in handy! For a few examples, take a gander
here!
PNEUMATIC PROJECTS
Of course, my favorite was the quest for a LEGO® sub!
LEGO® SUBMARINE!
Go Back to Weird Richard
Copyright© 1996 by Richard Wright for PCS Education Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved