Anyhow, I got to thinkin, this looks like it is quite powerful and started thinking about the ballistics. It seems to take about 1.5 seconds to hurl a pumpkin what looks to be just about 100 yards with about 30 vertical feet of arc in the flight path. I’m guessing that each pumpkin is in the nieghborhood of 5 lbs. and the muzzle velocity somewhere around 300 fps.

This comes out to a muzzle energy of nearly 7000 foot pounds with each pumpkin, does this sound right? 7000 foot pounds is so much more powerful than all but the most magnum rifles, yet this guy is out here chucking pumpkins with that much force, I must be mistaken. How much kinetic energy do you think a pumpkin has in this scenario?

I don’t have the formula for figuring the kinetic energy of a pumpkin whose weight is figured in pounds rather than in grains. However, you can convert pounds to grains by multiplying by 7,000. nce you have the weight in grains, you can calculate the foot pounds of kinetic energy by multiplying the weight of the pumpkin in grains times the square of the velocity in ft./sec. and dividing by 450,400. If we assume that your figures are correct, a 5 pound pumpkin will weigh 35,000 grains. If that mass is moving at a velocity of 300 fps, we can multiply 35,000 by 300 squared and divide by 450,400. Doing this we get 6993.7 ft.pounds of kinetic energy. This confirms you calculation of "nearly 7,000 ft. pounds". The reason for this amount of kinetic energy is the tremendous mass of the pumpkin as compared to the mass of a bullet.

In general terms though, in order to size a compressor, you need to know the SCFM. air compressor companies rate their compressors in terms of ACFM because the properties of air changes so much. The ACFM rating is basically the same as SCFM if the compressor was tested when the ambient conditions were standard conditions. For selecting a compressor, I consider them the same thing. Most standard compressors have max pressure ratings up to 125 psig or so. There are some booster compressors made for high pressure applications that will boost pressures up to around 300 psig.

As far as ware and tear, if a compressed air system is designed correctly, you can minimize the wear and tear. First thing to do is ensure a tank is in the system right after any dryers, ususally 1 gallon/4 SCFM. If the system has many points of use where there is a lot of diversity, another surge tank can be placed right after the compressor, around 1 gallon/ 1 SCFM.

The compressor only runs when the system pressure drops below a certain point, the demand of the compressed air will mainly determine how often the compressor will run, which is basically ware and tear.

For your system, I would imagine it would run indefinately until the motor burned up or the system exploded.

OH! One other thing, steer clear of any compressor that say "oilless". From my personal experience, the compressors that don’t use oil overheat and break down very quickly. I’ll never buy another compressor if I don’t see a dipstick to check the oil.

Anybody know about this? Your help would defintely be appreciated.

YOU HAVE HEARD CORRECTLY….THE AC MUST AT LEAST MEET THE CFM REQUIREMENTS OF THE TOOL…AND TO INSURE THE MAX USE OF THE TOOL MUST EXCEED THE CFM REQUIREMENT…

There are various types of devices that may be used to help cool off a humid room. Most people today use standard airconditioning, but there are those who are fans of alternative tools and, instead, choose swamp coolers.

No, a swamp cooler is not in any way linked to dark and murky swamp. It is a new type of refrigeration system that makes use of the simple process of evaporation to give off cool air. Also called a desert cooler, an evaporative cooler, or an air cooler, the swamp cooler differs from the regular airconditioner in a way that the latter employs a compressor and a heat pump to operate.

A swamp cooler is best for environments with low humidity, where its installation is relatively cheap compared to traditional airconditioners. Areas with high humidity may also benefit from swamp coolers, like dry cleaners, greenhouses and industrial plants. But it is really best for environments whose humidities are relatively light.

There are two types of cooling mechanisms under a swamp cooler. One is the indirect evaporative cooling, which happens in a closed circuit and makes use of a heat exchanger. The other is called direct evaporative cooling, which happens in an open circuit, where warm and dry air is converted to cool, moist air by reducing the air temperature via the evaporation process.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Swamp Coolers

There are a number of reasons why swamp coolers are a better choice than traditional airconditioners.

First, they are a lot less costly to install. When compared with refrigerated air conditioners, setting up a swamp cooler costs about an eighth to half. Operating it is also cheaper, accounting for just a fourth of what is expended on refrigerated air. You are also more likely to spend a lot less on energy because a swamp cooler’s operational system is based simply on a water pump and a fan. Patrons of swamp coolers also attest that the air is relatively fresher.

However, while it has its merits, it also has several trade-offs. One is that it relies on water to function. Thus, you will have to keep checking if it has enough in its tank and its pads are always wet. It is also more expensive to maintain, particularly during cold weather and winter, because it can easily freeze burst.

Another disadvantage to using a swamp cooler is that the air it gives off is very humid, at around 80% to 90%. It is therefore not very advisable in high-humidity environments because it will eventually corrode your electrical systems and moisten surfaces. The evaporated air will consequently condense, which becomes a big nuisance.

A swamp cooler is also not advisable if you have asthma because pollutants and other microbes from outside might be blown into the room if it has not ample filtering.

In sum, while this device provides a less costly alternative, it comes with a catch. If your priority is to cut corners, then this product is for you. If you’ve already gotten used to traditional air conditioners and really find nothing wrong with using them, then there’s no reason to make a switch.

Bill Urell
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/the-truths-about-swamp-coolers-that-you-really-need-to-know-50226.html

The auto industry is currently geared towards the reduction of fuel consumption as the global community becomes increasingly aware of the threat of global warming. Aside from car makers, other consumer industries have also taken steps to develop devices which will help vehicles save on fuel.

One of the leading makers of automotive components, Bosch, has recently developed yet another innovative technology which will improve fuel economy of vehicles. The Stuttgart, a Germany based company, recently announced the development of their Climate Control Sensor. This sensor essentially checks constantly the level of carbon dioxide inside a vehicle’s cabin.

By monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide inside a vehicle, the device allows the air conditioning unit to optimize its performance. When the amount of carbon dioxide inside a vehicle’s cabin surpassed the preset volume, the air conditioning unit will feed fresh air in side the vehicle. Then, the unit will automatically switch to recirculation mode which means that the air conditioner will not be using up much energy.

This technology saves fuel since it decreases the load on the vehicle’s engine. The air conditioner’s compressor is being powered by the engine and when it is turned off by the new sensor from Bosch, the engine will not need more fuel to burn to power the compressor.

The design of the Climate Control Sensor (CCS) is compact to save space in the vehicle. The technology uses infrared-based spectroscopy to determine carbon dioxide level inside a vehicle’s compartment. The company known for their excellence in developing cutting edge automotive electronics designed the device to determine even minute level of carbon dioxide.

There is also a more advanced version of the sensor which not only checks the level of carbon dioxide but also measures the humidity and temperature inside the vehicle. This more advanced sensor further optimizes the cooling unit’s performance. The use of the said devices according to Bosch engineers can save consumers by as much as ten percent on fuel consumption.

With this innovation, Bosch once again proved that they are the leading producer of advanced auto components which can complement standard auto parts like Nissan ignition coil and other engine operation related components. Aside from auto electronics, the company also provides automobile components like anti-lock braking system, which the company invented, fuel injection system, starters, and alternators. These components from Bosch are known to perform well and for their durability.

Durability is also a strong selling point of Bosch’s industrial machinery, and hand tools sold all over the world. The company is focused in its automotive department as shown by the fact that half of their annual sales globally comes from their automotive technology.

RyanThomas
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/new-bosch-technology-saves-fuel-125733.html

They also make a full line of air tools and paint spray guns. I have one of their small (8 oz or so) pressurized paint sprayer and it works well.