Design and Build Hydraulic Systems

<p>Look at the image below. Have you seen this type of machine before? What do you think the circled components do?</p>

<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/nefxl205vl9eoz7dui1cvnaqmu2e/HA+Image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 450px; height: 357px;" /></p>

<p>The machine above is an excavator powered by hydraulics! Hydraulics are a way to transfer force and motion using liquid. They are commonly found in industrial equipment, construction equipment, cars, robotics, and even amusement park rides! Even Betabox uses hydraulics in our mobile labs!</p>

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<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/f5xuwuvocwnl6jzdz8b2lt1gf95k/HA+Image+2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 600px; height: 191px;" /></p>

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<h3><strong>What Is a Mechanical System?</strong></h3>

<p>A mechanical system is a collection of interconnected parts or components that work together to perform a specific task or function, often involving movement or the transfer of forces. Fluid power is a cool way to make things move using liquids or gases, like when water or air helps machines and tools do their jobs by pushing and pulling with their power. Two great examples of this are&nbsp;<strong>hydraulic</strong> and <strong>pneumatic</strong> systems!</p>

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<p><strong><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/animnzp423042ozm8s1m76ut25h9/HA+Image+3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 600px; height: 243px;" /></strong></p>

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<p><strong>💧 <u>Hydraulic System</u>:</strong> A system that uses liquid to transfer motion from one location to another.</p>

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<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-abb73a7d-7fff-4599-946c-9bbd99cf5edc"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WWCG2ndAXFcU5nZR2oNJ-sQDU28ZmgGCsGlVEPh9qeLy1Bpgg076JjqoG1T58nhL_xB5q57uRNQCTGaTEqaJVUx7ljERiek6c-LZVu1zth2UCjV_py1sPHxikbq8qwnl1aKNhiDCMCGFt0j3cZcldjc" style="width: 300px; height: 98px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></b></p>

<p dir="ltr">Some examples of a&nbsp;<strong>💧 Hydraulic System</strong> include:</p>

<ul dir="ltr">
<li><strong>🏗️ Construction Equipment: </strong>Big machines like cranes and bulldozers at construction sites use hydraulic systems to lift heavy materials and move large objects. The hydraulic fluid helps them do their powerful work efficiently.</li>
<li><strong>🚚 Garbage Trucks</strong>: Hydraulic systems are used in garbage trucks to lift and empty the trash bins into the truck&#39;s container. The hydraulics make it easier for the truck to pick up and empty the bins.</li>
<li>🚗 <strong>Car Brakes:</strong> Did you know that when you press the brake pedal in a car, you&#39;re using a hydraulic system? The pedal pushes hydraulic fluid to the brakes, helping the car slow down or stop safely.</li>
</ul>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>🎈 <u>Pneumatic System</u>:</strong> A system that uses gas to transfer motion from one location to another.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/k1e03um4nn28uqx7nijipxbikdw0/HA+Pneumatic+Systems.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 200px; height: 198px;" /></p>

<p>Some examples of a&nbsp;<strong>🎈 Pneumatic System</strong> include:</p>

<ul dir="ltr">
<li><strong>🚀 Pneumatic Toys: </strong>Some toys, like air-powered rockets or balloon-powered cars, use pneumatic systems. When you blow air into the rocket or balloon, it creates pressure that propels the toy forward.</li>
<li><strong>🏠 Inflatable Bounce Houses:</strong> Inflatable bounce houses and slides use fans to continuously blow air into them. This air pressure makes the bounce house firm and bouncy, so kids can jump and play safely.</li>
<li>🥤 <strong>Soda Fountains:</strong> Have you ever seen how soda fountains work? They use a combination of carbonated water and air pressure to mix drinks. When you press the button for a drink, the pressure from the carbonation and air forces the soda out and into your cup.</li>
</ul>

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<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h3><strong>Parts of a Hydraulic System</strong></h3>

<p><strong><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/ucrm0e5yz5zxm7if69y92blkyfru/HA+Parts.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 600px; height: 186px;" /></strong></p>

<ol>
<li><strong>Fluid Line:</strong> The tube or pipe connecting one cylinder to another.</li>
<li><strong>Barrel: </strong>Hollow cylinders that contain the liquid and pistons.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Piston:</strong> The moving rods housed inside the barrels.<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

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<h3><strong>Our Project</strong></h3>

<p>We will use syringes, water, and tubing to create our own hydraulic systems! Here are are some important terms to keep in mind:</p>

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<p><u><strong>Control End:</strong></u> The cylinder and piston creating the force and motion. The syringe you control is the control end.</p>

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<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/2pifgauwqx2l0hy2p4tg01lmz8co/HA+Control+End.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 319px; height: 286px;" /></p>

<p><u><strong>Working End</strong></u>: The cylinder and piston receiving the force and motion. The syringe attached to your hydraulic arm is the working end.</p>

<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/djvbwpi0a7nopomzpro3v5gfqcy6/HA+Working+End.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px; height: 181px;" /></p>

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<p><u><strong>Parts of a Syringe:</strong></u></p>

<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/ekw51td2k2ax5gi7qvjqu5ri4abg/HA+Parts+of+Syringe.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px; height: 188px;" /></p>

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<p><u><strong>Pressure:</strong></u> When we compress the plunger on the control end, we compress the liquid and build up high pressure. This pressure wants to &ldquo;go&rdquo; somewhere, so the liquid leaves the control end and moves towards the low pressure of the working end.&nbsp;</p>

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<h3><strong>Hydraulics and Simple Machines</strong></h3>

<p>Simple machines are clever mechanisms that allow us to transfer and amplify force. The six types of simple machines are:</p>

<ul>
<li>Inclined plane -&nbsp;<em>like a slide!</em></li>
<li>Lever - <em>like a&nbsp;seesaw!</em></li>
<li>Wedge - <em>like a knife!</em></li>
<li>Wheel and axle - <em>like a bicycle wheel!</em></li>
<li>Pulley -<em> like a&nbsp;flagpole!</em></li>
<li>Screw - <i>like a.... screw!</i></li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;In this lesson, we will focus on transferring linear force to rotational force using a simple machine called a <strong>wheel and axle.</strong></p>

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<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/3d8pruxuq50edweg6yam666p0gfb/HA+Simple+Machines.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px; height: 331px;" /></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>Vocabulary</strong></h3>

<ul>
<li><strong>Hydraulics:</strong> Using liquids and pressure to create movement and force.</li>
<li><strong>Rotation:</strong> Circular motion around a central point</li>
<li><strong>Wheel and Axle:</strong> A simple machine that allows for rotational motion.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Let&rsquo;s Engineer a Hydraulic-Controlled Rotating Paddle Ball Game!&nbsp;</strong></h3>

<h3 style="padding: 56.25% 0px 0px; position: relative;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" frameborder="0" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/856189916?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Part 1- Rotating Paddle Ball Base Assembly Video"></iframe></h3>
<script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

<p style="color: rgb(170, 170, 170); font-style: italic;">Play the video to learn more!</p>

<p style="color: rgb(170, 170, 170); font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>Design Challenge</strong></h3>

<p>Create a &ldquo;paddle&rdquo; to attach to your rotating base that can hit a ping pong ball!&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ol>
<li><strong>Brainstorm!</strong>&nbsp;<em>Brainstorm ideas for your paddle design and write them on your worksheey!</em></li>
<li><strong>Sketch a Prototype!&nbsp;</strong><em>Sketch your ideas for a paddle on the worksheet.</em></li>
<li><strong>Craft Your Prototype!&nbsp;</strong><em>Use craft materials to create and attach your paddle designs to your rotating base.</em></li>
<li><strong>Test!</strong>&nbsp;Set up two makeshift goals using plastic cups. Then, compete head-to-head against another group in a paddle ball game!<em>&nbsp;The rules are:</em>
<ul>
<li><em>You are only allowed to touch your control syringe to move and rotate your base.</em></li>
<li><i>Place the ping pong ball in the middle of the &quot;field&quot; and say &quot;go&#39;!</i></li>
<li><i>If the ping pong ball passes through your opponent&#39;s goal, you earn a point!</i></li>
<li><i>The first to three points wins!</i></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>

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<p><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/y3jz4brugod1z9vd1k4rihz1amr8/HA+Paddle.png" style="width: 342px; height: 220px;display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>

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<h3><strong>Wrap Up</strong></h3>

<p>Clean up your workspaces and return your materials to a ziploc bag. It&rsquo;s recommended to leave the rotating bases&nbsp;assembled for the next lesson!</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<hr />
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h3><strong>Vocabulary</strong></h3>

<ul>
<li><strong>Hydraulics:</strong> Using liquids and pressure to create movement and force.</li>
<li><strong>Rotation:</strong> Circular motion around a central point</li>
<li><strong>Wheel and Axle:</strong> A simple machine that allows for rotational motion.</li>
</ul>