Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
In need of a fresh perspective- remote inflation and release of balloons
M4dsc1enti$t:
I'm working on a project to remotely fill and release balloons,and I'm trying to figure out how to hold onto the one way nozzles I've seen @ https://www.amazon.com/Barrel-Safety-Helium-Balloon-Valves/dp/B009LM7FG0 . The only thing I can think of is having a motorized turn table which will grip roughly 15 nozzles at the same time when turned in one direction,and release them in the other. For means of gripping the balloons I'm thinking about making apertures for each nozzle,but have come here to see if anyone can give think of a simpler way of accomplishing the same goal. Link for the apertures in mind here: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-12-leaves-Mechanical-Irirs/#intro . I really appreciate any input. For those that are curious,I'm planning on making fulgerite from silica with lightning,hence the remote activation.
beanflying:
Two jaws clamping the valve one fixed and the other attached to and driven by a cheap and nasty DC solenoid opening to release. Parts 3D printed including a base that could be screwed into some sort of timber or metal frame.
KISS always ;)
M4dsc1enti$t:
Hmm definitely easier to make than the intricate apertures. With about 15 solenoids id have to have a decent power supply. I'll try it out, thanks
IDEngineer:
Must you be able to individually retain and release the 15 balloons? If not, a single solenoid could do the job using a rail-like assembly to control all clamps at once.
However, even 15 individual solenoids isn't a huge deal. Given what you're doing, even if you needed to release multiples at once you could stagger them by a couple hundred milliseconds to spread out the current spikes and balloons, being what they are, aren't likely to notice or complain. :) That would ease your power supply specs.
I agree, Keep It Simple. You're doing this remotely, so reliability looms large as a priority.
beanflying:
--- Quote from: M4dsc1enti$t on April 30, 2019, 07:15:17 pm ---Hmm definitely easier to make than the intricate apertures. With about 15 solenoids id have to have a decent power supply. I'll try it out, thanks
--- End quote ---
Skip the power supply and use a battery. Depending on how your grid is locally one less failure point in a storm. Modern R/C 3S LiPo pack and a cheap balance charger will be close enough for a 12V solonoid. A 2000mA battery will deliver 20-40C+ comfortably so 40-80A.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version