Need suggestions on transfering compressed air to rotating object

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for transferring compressed air to a rotating object, such as a tire or barrel, while it is in motion. Participants explore various approaches, considering both mechanical and electrical solutions, as well as the implications of rotation speed on efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a tight seal at the axis of the rotating object but expresses concern about potential friction.
  • Another proposes incorporating an electric air compressor within the rotating part, requiring only an electrical connection instead of a compressed air line.
  • A different participant questions the rotation speed, indicating that high speeds might allow for using the rotation for compression, though they acknowledge the need for active components.
  • One participant reflects on the idea of using a Tesla turbine to turn a wheel, noting potential inefficiencies due to the low RPM of the wheel compared to the turbine's optimal performance at higher speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on how to effectively transfer compressed air to a rotating object, with no consensus reached on the best method.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions regarding rotation speed and efficiency, but these factors remain unresolved and depend on specific design choices.

Jay Lakoda
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
If you had a rotating object like a tire or barrel that you wanted to distribute compressed air to while it's rotating, what would some ways to do it? One way I'm thinking is just a tight seal at the axis, but then there would be a lot of friction. Any other ideas??
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
You could incorporate an electric air compressor in the rotating part of the apparatus. That way you'd only need an electrical connection to the rotating part instead of a compressed air connection.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Jay Lakoda
How fast is the rotation? If it is really fast, you could use this rotation for compression (would still need some active parts I guess, but not a full-scale compressor).
 
I was thinking about a tesla turbine to turn a wheel. Except that I was trying to think of how to make the discs double as spokes for the wheel. It could be done, but I just realized it would be very inefficient because the rpm of the wheel would only be about 100. And an air compressed tesla turbine would run moat efficiently at many thousands of rpms. So nevermind. Thanks for the suggestions.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
7K