What Is Inside an Air Pump?
Air pumps can be used for a wide variety of tasks. They are used by campers to inflate air mattresses, bicyclists use them to inflate their tires, and even kids can use them to pump up their favorite pool floating toys. Air pumps come in numerous different makes and models, with additional features at times. They range from the most simplistic and manual kinds to more advanced and electrical types. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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When an air pump is used to push air into an inflatable object, it is called a force pump. Conversely, when the air pump works to expel air from a sealed item, it is referred to as a vacuum pump. Inside both kinds of pumps there are usually two valves and a piston. These are all housed in an airtight outer coating generally in the shape of a cylinder. Outside of the outer casing, there is a lever or other device that will activate the pump.
Significance
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In the case of a simple pump, as can be seen in an air pump used for bike tires, this is called a reciprocating air pump. They are put into use when a human hand pulls up the lever; this activates the piston to suck air upwards through the valve that uptakes air from the outside. When the lever is now pushed downward, the piston now carries that air in the opposite direction via the other valve that leads to the bike's tire. This sends the air into the tire and thus inflating it.
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Considerations
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In the cases of air pumps that are worked by applying pressure to them with perhaps a foot, these are a bit different in design and are called diaphragm air pumps. Inside each of these unique pumps are the one-way valves and a diaphragm to replace the pistons. These diaphragms rebound and expand when not forced downward; so by first stepping on them, air is sucked into the pump via the uptake valve, and when the pressure is released, the diaphragm causes the second valve to send air into the inflatable object.
Features
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A more advanced air pump is the double-acting pump, which builds on the same theory and makeup of the reciprocating pumps. Here however, the double acting pump works twice as hard with the same amount of effort. To do this, there are multiple cylinders, each with two valves and a piston. As the lever is pushed in one direction, it will rely on one of the cylinders to cause inflation while simultaneously spurring the second cylinder into action upon the lever's release. This will cause inflation to be much more efficient.
Potential
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Pumps can also be used to ignite energy into a fluid and thus lead to propulsion. Inside of these pumps is actually a moving blade that will turn. These are electrically spurred for the most part and work off a single input and output valve. In the case of an axial pump, the air or energy is sucked in like a vacuum, and then the valve working in the opposite direction--in charge of the discharge--is then put into action as the blades spin. This can be seen in cases of fans and even submarine propulsion.
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