Is this kind of pressure chamber design possible?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of a specific airtight pressure chamber design, particularly regarding the ability of internal pressure to actuate a button at the top of the chamber. Participants conclude that while convection currents can exert force, the design's thin neck significantly reduces actuation force due to the square of the neck diameter. A balanced lever mechanism is suggested as a more effective solution to transfer force externally. Overall, the design is deemed flawed due to insufficient pressure margin and inadequate consideration of physical principles.

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  • Understanding of fluid dynamics, particularly convection principles.
  • Knowledge of pressure mechanics and actuation forces.
  • Familiarity with design principles for airtight chambers.
  • Basic physics of force distribution and lever mechanics.
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  • Research the principles of convection and its effects on force generation.
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  • Study design strategies for effective actuation mechanisms.
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Engineers, product designers, and physics students interested in mechanical design, fluid dynamics, and pressure systems will benefit from this discussion.

physsure
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Hi!
Given that the chamber is airtight and no air leakage occurs, is the design in the picture below possible? Can the pressure inside the chamber cause the button (black part at the top) to be "pushed"?

https://imgur.com/a/wOSD30D

Obviously the temperatures are over-exaggerated, but the principle is the same at very high temperatures.
 
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It's not clear what's going on here. Are you attempting to represent the effects of Convection, caused by the red (=hot?) at the bottom?
If so, the convection currents will indeed exert a force on a horizontal (?) disc at the top. It does require a suspension of disbelief, though because the push rod will also be subject so any difference in pressure between inside and outside. A small cross sectional area of hole but, nonetheless there will be an upwards force which may or may not balance the weight force of all the button and disc. A more reasonable scenario would be to use some balanced lever mechanism to transfer the force to the outside.
 
physsure said:
Hi!
Given that the chamber is airtight and no air leakage occurs, is the design in the picture below possible? Can the pressure inside the chamber cause the button (black part at the top) to be "pushed"?

https://imgur.com/a/wOSD30D

Obviously the temperatures are over-exaggerated, but the principle is the same at very high temperatures.
No, bad design. Thin neck of button as depicted reduce actuation force as square of neck diameter. It can work, but margin for setting pressure of seal nearly non-existent.
 
trurle said:
No, bad design. Thin neck of button as depicted reduce actuation force as square of neck diameter. It can work, but margin for setting pressure of seal nearly non-existent.
If this is a thought experiment then it should, at least. take account of such things and the design should eliminate their effect; it is perfectly possible to do so.
 
sophiecentaur said:
If this is a thought experiment then it should, at least. take account of such things and the design should eliminate their effect; it is perfectly possible to do so.

How much force is it possible to assert through convection? It must be minimal but is it possible to calculate given a scenario?
 
physsure said:
How much force is it possible to assert through convection? It must be minimal but is it possible to calculate given a scenario?
We are operating in an information vacuum here. You need to describe what it's all about, what is supposed to happen and what's the idea based on? Remember- PF knows nothing about the workings of your mind. We can only comment on what we read and see.
 
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