What's the name of this mechanical component?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying a mechanical component described as a spring-like device made of plastic that compresses to expel air, similar to a hand blower. Participants explore its characteristics and potential names, considering various materials and types of bellows.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a plastic component that compresses and releases air, seeking its name and more information.
  • Several participants suggest it resembles a bellows, with one noting different types of metal bellows, including edge welded and hydro-formed, while emphasizing that all metal bellows have some inherent spring rate.
  • Another participant questions the applicability of the term "bellows" since the component is made of plastic and lacks valves.
  • Some participants propose that it could be a plastic bellows, while others clarify that the attachments shared are piping expansion joints, which are compressible but not easily.
  • A participant compares the component to a hand-sized pump used for siphoning, noting the absence of a valve in the described device.
  • There is a suggestion that the term "bellows" applies regardless of the material used, including plastic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the component can be classified as a bellows due to its material and design. Some agree that it can still be called a bellows, while others challenge this based on its plastic composition and lack of valves. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise identification of the component.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the terminology or classification of the component, and there are varying interpretations of what constitutes a bellows based on material and functionality.

dE_logics
Messages
742
Reaction score
0
I have this spring sort of thing it looks like this -

attachment.php?attachmentid=22384&stc=1&d=1260439097.jpg


What we can do with this is push it form the top, it compresses (the middle section which is not straight is a spring sort of stuff) and forces the air inside the arrangement out...sorta like a hand blower.

When you release the pressure it's shape pops back to normal.

So what is this thing?...what do you call it?...I need more info on this.

Edit -- The whole thing is made up of plastic
 

Attachments

  • what is this?.jpg
    what is this?.jpg
    14.3 KB · Views: 530
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Looks like a bellows to me. There are different kinds of metal bellows:
1. Edge welded
2. Hydro-formed.

This looks like an edge welded. They start with metal disks, usually stainless steel, and weld along the ID and OD to make a bellows as shown in the picture.

Note that all metal bellows have some inherent spring rate. Springs are sometimes put inside them but that isn't always the case.
 
Q_Goest said:
Looks like a bellows to me. There are different kinds of metal bellows:
1. Edge welded
2. Hydro-formed.

This looks like an edge welded. They start with metal disks, usually stainless steel, and weld along the ID and OD to make a bellows as shown in the picture.

Note that all metal bellows have some inherent spring rate. Springs are sometimes put inside them but that isn't always the case.

No no no...I don't think a bellow will do...the whole thing is made of plastic (the one which I got).

It does not have any valves.
 
Is it solid plastic? Or could it be a plastic bellows?
 
http://www.ameriflex.net/images/bellows3.jpg

lachenal%20fancy%20bellows%20green.JPG


http://www.axialdynamics.com.au/big%20conv%20bellows.jpg

Are these compressable?...if so I think this is a sort of bellows.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Q_Goest said:
Is it solid plastic? Or could it be a plastic bellows?

Thin and flexible plastic.
 
Your first attachment (looks like a 3D render) is a lot like the little hand-sized pump on a siphon I have. You put one end of a neoprene tube in your gas tank and the other end in your mower - edger - etc. tank, then squeeze the plastic pump till gas is flowing. There is a little plastic "flapper" type check valve inside one end of the thing which makes it work.

Your other attachments look like an assortment of expansion joints for ducting or piping of one sort or another... except for the green thing which looks like a fancy fireplace bellows and the copper things which look like they might be used to increase the surface area for cooling of something.
 
dE_logics said:
http://www.ameriflex.net/images/bellows3.jpg

lachenal%20fancy%20bellows%20green.JPG


http://www.axialdynamics.com.au/big%20conv%20bellows.jpg

Are these compressable?...if so I think this is a sort of bellows.
Those are piping expansion joints. They are flexible and can compress but not easily. They are to allow for thermal growth and misalignment in piping systems.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tyroman said:
Your first attachment (looks like a 3D render) is a lot like the little hand-sized pump on a siphon I have. You put one end of a neoprene tube in your gas tank and the other end in your mower - edger - etc. tank, then squeeze the plastic pump till gas is flowing. There is a little plastic "flapper" type check valve inside one end of the thing which makes it work.

Your other attachments look like an assortment of expansion joints for ducting or piping of one sort or another... except for the green thing which looks like a fancy fireplace bellows and the copper things which look like they might be used to increase the surface area for cooling of something.

Yes, it looks like the thing that you have which you use on a siphon...except that it doesn't have a valve.

Any name for it?

And yeah, the first attachment is a rendered image.
 
  • #10
It's still called a bellows whether it's made from steel, plastic, rubber or ...
 
  • #11
Q_Goest said:
It's still called a bellows whether it's made from steel, plastic, rubber or ...

Ok then, thanks!:smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K