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1.

Introduction

When a tire of a car or a bike is blown up, a pump is used to increase the pressure of the air inside the tire
by increasing the number of atoms inside the tire. [6] . Hand pumps and foot pumps are
manually operated pumps that can driven by hand or foot via a handle or lever. This manual
external force actuates an internal mechanism, which increases pressure for moving fluids
such as gas, chemicals, or water. Hand lever and foot pedals are pushed up or down to begin
the pump cycle, often requiring one stroke to draw the fluid and another stroke to discharge it,
as is typical in many displacement pumps.[8]

Pressure is very crucial issue in engineering and science so there are numerous techniques for
measuring pressures.

Air compressors provide air at pressures higher than atmospheric via many pump drive types
such as DC, AC, and gas or diesel engines. Pump technologies include positive displacement
(piston, diaphragm, rotary vane and screw styles) and nonpositive displacement (centrifugal,
axial and regenerative blowers). Compressors may have integral tanks for compressed air
storage or discharge directly to the output valve. Some compressors have the capacity to
generate vacuum levels as well. [5]

Gauge pressure is relative pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure. Manometers are
widely used for this purpose and they give quite accurate results. In most cases, pressure is
measured by the gauges other than U-tube manometers which are basic devices. the usage of
gauges are more common than the U-tube manometers in engineering applications.

2.Systems in the Machine :

The machine conisits of three general systems whis are pressure gauge to read the pressure
level , air pump aith a piston and general frame of the machine which is examined in section 3
as dissection procedure. Here pressure gauge and air pump systems are examined in order to
understand how the machine works.

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2.1.Pressure Gauge

Gauge is the generic term denoting various types of devices for measuring pressure. To
measure the "vacuum" of air pumps—i.e., sub-atmospheric pressures—the most commonly
used pressure gauges (or manometers) until the nineteenth century were directly derived from
barometers. They consisted of U-shaped tubes with a closed arm and an open arm, partly
filled with mercury. In the twentieth century, instruments based on molecular phenomena
were invented to measure stronger vacuums. For industrial purposes, and for gauging super-
atmospheric pressures, Bourdon's manometers came into widespread use starting in the mid-
nineteenth century. They comprised a flattened and curved metal tube filled with the liquid
whose pressure had to be measured (air, vapor, etc.). A mechanism connected the tube to a
pointer. A change in fluid pressure modified the tube curvature, causing the pointer to move.
[1]

Gauge pressure is relative pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure. Manometers are
widely used for this purpose and they give quite accurate results. In most cases, pressure is
measured by the gauges other than U-tube manometers which are basic devices, but are not
practical. That is why, the usage of gauges are more common than the U-tube manometers in
engineering applications. The U-tube manometer is simple and reliable and rely on a change
in liquid height to indicate pressure. Since the instrument reading is a linear distance h, the
density of the liquid must be known to determine the force per unit area: P=h ρ g [3]

Moreover, it is very hard to measure very high pressures, or pressures that are rapidly
changing with time. However, as a result of its elastic material properties gauges might not
reperform its original length and geometry, so they should be calibrated periodically by the
comparison with primary devices like U-tube manometers, inclined tube manometers or
dead weight testers which do not suffer from irreversibility effects and minimize the external
disturbances. [3]

Throughout the history, various types of measuring instruments other than manometers have
been developed. Most these instruments use the idea that when pressure acts on an elastic
structure, the structure will deform and this deformation can somehow be related to the
magnitude of pressure. Among these instruments, the most familiar one is Bourdon Tube
Pressure Gauges[3]

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In the twentieth century, instruments based on molecular phenomena were invented to
measure stronger vacuums. For industrial purposes, and for gauging super-atmospheric
pressures, Bourdon's manometers came into widespread use starting in the mid-nineteenth
century. They comprised a flattened and curved metal tube filled with the liquid whose
pressure had to be measured (air, vapor, etc.). A mechanism connected the tube to a pointer. A
change in fluid pressure modified the tube curvature, causing the pointer to move.[1]

Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauges was invented and patented in France in 1849, by Eugene
Bourdon and this device can be used in measuring the pressures of liquids and gases of all
kinds, including steam, water and air up to pressures of 100,000 psi.[3]

The Mechanism of Gauge :

Fig.1. Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge [4] Fig.2.Mechanical Details[4]

Stationary parts: [4]

A: Receiver block. This joins the inlet pipe to the fixed end of the Bourdon tube (1) and
secures the chassies plate (B). The two holes receive screws that secure the case.

B: Chassies Plate. The face card is attached to this. It contains bearing holes for the axles.

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C: Secondary Chassis Plate. It supports the outer ends of the axles.

D: Posts to join and space the two chassis plates.

Moving Parts[4]

1: Stationary end of Bourdon tube. This communicates with the inlet pipe through the receiver
block.

2: Moving end of bourdon tube. This end is sealed.

3: Pivot and pivot pin.

4: Link joining pivot pin to lever (5) with pins to allow joint rotation.

5: Lever. This an extension of the sector gear (7).

6: Sector gear axle pin.

7: Sector gear.

8: Indicator needle axle. This has a spur gear that engages the sector gear (7) and extends
through the face to drive the indicator needle. Due to the short distance between the lever arm
link boss and the pivot pin and the difference between the effective radius of the sector gear
and that of the spur gear, any motion of the bourden tube is greatly amplified. A small motion
of the tube results in a large motion of the indicator needle.

9: Hair spring to preload the gear train to eliminate gear lash and hysteresis.

When the pressure is applied to the inside of the tube , an elastic deformation results, which is
proportional to the pressure. The degree of linearity depends on the quality of the gauge. The
end of the gauge is connected to a spring – loaded linkage, which amplifies the displacement
and transforms it to an angular rotation of the pointer. The linkage is constructed so that the
mechanism may be adjusted for optimum linearity and minimum hysteresis, as well as to
compensate for wear which may be developed over a period of time.[4]

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Experiement

When the gauge is experimented in labratories, the dependency of the pressure to time is
observed in some experiements. Here an example of this experiements is given to show this
relation.

The valve is closed at the end of the tube and the compressor is turned off.. The pressure in
the tube should settle at about 4 psi with some slow leakage. Oscilloscope is used set to
single trace triggering (falling slope) to obtain a pressure trace in response to
suddenly opening the end valve. [2]

A “rough estimate” of the time constant is made , τ, with and without the
capillary tubing. Assume the response of the diaphram pressure gauge to a sudden step change
in pressure is highly damped, and so can be approximated by an exponential rise or fall, and
this relation is seen : [2]

(P-Pf ) /(Pi –Pf) = exp ( t / τ )

P is the pressure at time t , kPa or psi


Pi is the initial pressure, kPa or psi
Pf is the final pressure, kPa or psi
t is time after the start of the pressure step, s
τ is the time constant, s

Knowing that a first order (exponential) process falls to 0.368 at t= τ a “rough estimate” of t
can be made without having to take several data points and plot a graph. Instead, estimate τ as
the time required for the pressure indicated by the gauge to fall to roughly 1/3 of its original
value Pi on its way down to Pf =0. [2]

Then this rough is estimated for τ to calculate the percentage error in peak pressure
fluctuation from the mean caused by the time response of the transducer. Approximate the
pipe pressure input as a sine wave with a period equal to the measured period of the
compressor fluctuations. [2]

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2.2.Air Pump

Air compressors provide air at pressures higher than atmospheric via many pump drive types
such as DC, AC, and gas or diesel engines. Pump technologies include positive displacement
(piston, diaphragm, rotary vane and screw styles) and nonpositive displacement (centrifugal,
axial and regenerative blowers). Compressors may have integral tanks for compressed air
storage or discharge directly to the output valve. Some compressors have the capacity to
generate vacuum levels as well. [5]

The key considerations when deciding which air pump, compressor or blower (different ways
of moving air) to use are what volume of air (in cubic feet per minute, cfm) is needed and the
pressure (in pounds per square inch, psi) required to supply that volume.. The following chart
shows the relationship between airflow (volume) and pressure produced by different types of
air moving pumps: [6]

Fig3. Airflow and pressure produced by different types of air moving pumps [6]

Piston Air Pump :

In the machine that is dissected for this Project piston air pump is used .

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Pump, a machine which drives a liquid from one point to another, generally at different levels,
the latter being usually the higher; an air-pump is an appliance for exhausting or removing the
air or other gas from a ~ressel, whilst a compression pump compresses the air. The simplest
forms of pumps employed for forcing liquids are plunger pumps, consisting essentially of a
piston moving in a cylinder, provided with inlet and outlet pipes, together with certain valves.
The disposition of these valves divides this type of pump into suction pumps and force
pumps. [7]

• History :

The invention of the mechanical air-pump is generally attributed to Otto von Guericke, consul
of Magdeburg, who exhibited his instrument in 1654; it was first described in 1657 by Gaspar
Schott, professor of mathematics at Wurttemberg, in his Mechanica hydraulico-pneumatica,
and afterwards (in 1672) by Guericke in his Experimenta nova Magdeburgica de vacuj spatia.
It consisted of a spherical glass vessel opening below by means of a stop-cock aqd narrow
nozzle into the cylinder of an exhausting syringe, which inclined upwards from the extremity
of the nozzle. The cylinder, in which a well-fitting piston worked, was provided at its lower
end with two valves. One of these opened from the nozzle into the cylinder, the other from the
cylinder into the outside air. During the down-stroke of the piston the former was pressed
home, so that no air enterec the nozzle and vessel, while the latter was forced open by the air
which so escaped from the cylinder.[7]

During the returnstroke the latter was kept closed in virtue of the partial vacuuni formed
within the cylinder, while at the same time the former was forced open by the pressure of the
denser air in the vessel and nozzle. Thus, at every complete stroke of the piston, the air in the
vessel or receiver was diminished by that fraction of itself which is expressed by the ratio of
the volume of the available cylindrical space above the outward opening valve to the whole
volume of receiver, nozzle and cylinder. The action is essentially that of the common suction
pump. The construction was subsequently improved by many experimenters, notably by
Boyle, Hawksbee, Smeaton and others; and more recently two pump barrels were employed,
so obtaining the same degree of exhaustion much more rapidly. This type of pump is,
however, not very efficient, for there is not only leakage about the valves and between the
piston and cylinder, hut at a certain degree of exhaust the air within the vessel is insufficient

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to raise the inlet valve; this last defect has been met in some measure by using an extension of
the piston to open and close the valve. [7]

• How our pump Works :

Fig 4. Piston-Pipe Mechanism [6]

The way a gas like air exerts pressure inside a container like a tire or a balloon is through the
action of the air atoms colliding with the sides of their container. [6]

If there is a single atom of nitrogen in a sealed container, that atom is in constant motion
ricocheting off the sides of the container. The speed of the atom's motion is controlled by the
temperature -- at 0 degrees Kelvin (absolute zero) the atom has no motion, and at higher
temperatures the speed increases. By its collisions with the sides of the container, the atom
exerts an outward pressure. So there are two ways to increase the pressure inside the
container: [6]

• Raise the temperature of the atoms inside the container - The hotter the atoms, the
faster they move.
• Put more atoms in the container - The more gas atoms you put in the container, the
more collisions you get and the greater the pressure they exert on the sides of the
container.

When air is blown up a tire on a car or a bike, a pump is used to increase the pressure of the
air inside the tire by increasing the number of atoms inside the tire. A car tire typically runs at
30 psi, and a bike tire might run at 60 to 100 psi. The pump simply stuffs more air into a
constant volume, so the pressure rises.[6]

Hand pumps and foot pumps are manually operated pumps that can driven by hand or foot via
a handle or lever. This manual external force actuates an internal mechanism, which

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increases pressure for moving fluids such as gas, chemicals, or water. Hand lever and foot
pedals are pushed up or down to begin the pump cycle, often requiring one stroke to draw the
fluid and another stroke to discharge it, as is typical in many displacement pumps.[8]

Hand pumps and foot pumps are generally of hydraulic and pneumatic design. Hydraulic
hand pumps and foot pumps are used to manually pressurize a hydraulic system and for
instrument calibration. Pneumatic hand pumps and foot pumps are designed for testing and
instrument calibration. A fluid reservoir is generally supplied with hydraulic and pneumatic
hand pumps as an integral part of the pump or an independent part. It holds a quantity of fluid
for the pump to use to power hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. [8]

3. Dissection procedure

The air pump is dissected by help of screwdriver and pliers.

Fig 5 General overview of the air pump.


Firstly the dial is removed to observe the gauge part under the plastic cover. There exist two
nuts under the plastic window that are on the dial and they are removed by a small
screwdriver. The gauge is a small circular gauge that moves the pointer on the face with

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pressure in it. The gauge is not helical type, it has only about 180° turning. The gauge and
pointer is not welded they are just connected by pin and hole that makes easy design as shown
following.

Fig 6 Gauge system


Then the gauge is assembled again and the pump is dissected by removing the bottom plate of
pump. There exist a small pump mechanism that works with force comes from the frames
compression as shown.

The air pump is protected by a cover from bottom and can be removed by taking that cover as
seen. The air is pumped by a trunk connected to end of the pump. There are a small plastic
ring to prevent air loss from the connection of trunk and pump. Also there is a separate
opening to the gauge to measure the pressure of the air. The pressurized air is thrown out from
the end if the trunk.
After compressing the pump it goes back to uncompressed position by springs connected
between upper and lower frames of the system. They cause lose of power while compressing
but they are necessary for recovery.

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Fig 7 Pump working mechanism

3.1. Working principle


The pump is pressurized by the force applied to the upper part of the body and pump is
compressed between upper and lower parts

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Fig 8 Working principle

Fig 9 Compressed air pump


The system is recovered by springs when force is released and turns back to initial position.

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4. 3-Dimensional modeling of the system
By using Catia program the models of the system is made. The exact dimensions of the air
pump are used in the modeling process. The models are as following,

Fig 10 General model of the air pump

Fig 11 The system are shown in different colors

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Fig 12 Frame of the pump

Fig 13 Body of the pump with force application point

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Fig 14 Pump component of the system

Fig 15 The system is recovered by springs

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5.Conclusion
The procedure for dissection of the air pump system has shown the properties of the gauge
and pump systems used for these applications. The working principle of the gauges how
pressure is measured without loss of air is learnt. Also one of the ways of producing force to
compress the pump is observed in this project. By compressing the upper and lower parts of a
frame and placing the pump between these frames is an easy and cheap way of doing this.
When the machine was dissected , some diffuculties were obtained. First of all, the cover of
the pump was sealed so tight that it was diffucult to open. The general working principle
(pumping by the help of springs , force arm and loading arm ) was seen when the machine
was dissected. The pump was dissected and the piston air pump was seen. In order to
understand how the tube pressure gauge and air pump works, some searchs were done on the
internet. The things that were found from different sources were also observed from the
machine that was dissected.

By this project, an everyday machine was dissected thus the working princple was understood
and seen precisely. Especially some experiments that were done on air pumps and gauges
were explained briefly in the report and the effect was also observed for this project.

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6.References:
1. http://www.imss.fi.it/museo/index.html#museo
2. http://fleck.mece.ualberta.ca/301/lab6_djw_2004.pdf
3. http://www.tpub.com/content/fc/14104/css/14104_233.htm
4. http://www.answers.com/topic/pressure-gauge
5. http://www.globalspec.com/
6. http://www.howstuffworks.com
7. http://71.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PU/PUMP.htm
8. http://flow-control.globalspec.com/LearnMore/Flow_Transfer_Control/Pumps/Hand_Pumps

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