Using a hose as a pneumatic component for lifting a hook
We would like to use a discharge hose, inflated using the onboard FRC pneumatics system, to raise a hook and cable to grasp the tower for elevating our robot.
The hose would remain folded or coiled on the robot until it was inflated to lift the hook.
Once the hook is set on the tower, the hose would deflate and a winch system would be used to raise the robot.
We have found a supplier that will supply the hose at any length we want (probably 5-7 ft), less than 2" in diameter (it will be either 1.5 or 2 inches) with caps at either end of the hose, with one cap having a threaded hole that will fit the pneumatic connectors that come with the KOP and screw into the Bimba cylinders. The hose will be rated by the supplier at 150psi. It is a flexible vinyl type of hose. The supplier will build the hose to our specifications so no further modifications will be done other than to attach a hook to one end of the hose and a pneumatic fitting to the other end. The end with the pneumatic fitting will be securely mounted on the robot.
The web site for the supplier is The Hose-Man: http://www.hose-man.com/sys-tmpl/door/
We anticipate filling the hose with no more than 10psi, more likely we will be using 5psi, depending on the amount of weight we are lifting. A pressure regulator will be used to control the amount of pressure in the hose.
o We are not intending to use the hose as an air storage system (<R01>B)(<R72>A)
o We think this should be permitted based on <R27>D as an additional air cylinder. There is no piston, so the stroke is under 24 inches and the diameter will be 2 inches or less.
o The hose will be filled with the onboard FRC Pneumatic system so it does not fall into the category of this previous Q&A posting: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=13703
Would this type of system be legal? If not, which rule would it violate?
Thank you for your time
