Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide You can’t see air, but you can figure out what it does, and why: this is
called Pneumatics. Pneu means “air” or “breath” or even “spirit” in
ancient Greek, the language of the man who wrote a book called
“Pneumatica.” His name was Heron of Alexandria and he lived in Egypt
about 2,000 years ago.
The word “Pneumatica” is pronouced “nu-ma-ti-ka,” without saying
the “p,” in English- it’s too hard for most of us English speakers.
But in the original Greek they said both the P and the N! If you practice
“PNeter PNiper PNicked a PNeck of PNickled PNeppers” enough, you
can say it the way it’s supposed to be said, but you might make people
mad, because they never heard the old way of saying it.
This is one of Heron’s air engines, using steam to make it spin. Water,
a ”liquid,” turns into a kind of air (this is called a “gas”) when we heat
it, and we call that steam. Both water and air are called fluids though.
Fluids change shape easily.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Above is a diagram one of Heron’s wacky machines that used air to
power it. Below is the wacky machine that Squonk built to make
shows. We are going to show you how it works. This is pneumatics.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide The first thing to talk about is pressure: air has a pressure, which
means it presses. It is pressing all over each of us right now, but you
don’t feel it because you’re used to it, and our bodies press outward to
match it. But if you took air pressure away, like in outer space, you
would inflate like a balloon.
Pressure depends on how much force is spread out over an area - a
good way to understand how pressure works is to figure out if it takes
more force, or less, to pop a balloon on one nail than on a hundred
nails. It takes 100 times more force to pop a balloon on 100 nails. It’s
a lot harder even though there are many more sharp points.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Because pressure works this way, we can use a small amount of force
over a large area to make a large force over a small area, or vice versa.
Or use a lot of force moving a short distance to move a small force a
long distance. This is why we use it for machines, like brakes, and
jackhammers and bulldozers.
.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide We use air contained inside cylinders with moving pistons that
translate the pressure into mechanical motion. This is how trains and
electric generators and many other machines make air pressure do
things that we need.
Below is how the Squonkers do things we don’t need with pistons and
air pressure – they are just for fun.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Another thing that air pressure does is press EVERY direction, equally. This is called “Pascal’s Law” after the scientist who discovered it. It
makes sense, but he figured out how to define it. This is Dr.
Pneumatica showing Pascal’s Law at our workshop!
Dr. Pneumatica puffs out in every direction. If you push his points in
they pop out again, in every direction, the same. Up, down, sideways!
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Another important principle of air pressure is called “Bernoulli’s
Principle” and this is how huge airplanes fly.
It says that that fast moving air has less pressure than slow moving
air. If you put two empty pop cans a few inches apart on a table and
blow between them, they will roll toward each other. There is less air
pressure where you blow. It’s surprising! The Squonkers make balls fly
and long tubes wiggle using this amazing principle.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide The Squonkers also use music - that’s a vibration in air that we make
on purpose.
Our ears hear these vibrations - if the Squonkers are in tune, maybe
you will like them. Being “in tune” means that these vibrations, or
sound waves, are in exact speeds and relationships that are
mathematical. Our ears hear the math in the sounds, and like it.
Usually!
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Some of the instruments we play use air to actually make the sound, too -­‐ so they are usually called “wind” instruments. But these can be very funny instruments -­‐ like when Jackie plays the accordion, or Dr. Pneumatica plays the bagpipes. Some people wonder if his bagpipes are making correct mathematical vibrations -­‐ they wonder if they are “out of tune.” This is how Dr. Pneumatica believes humans evolved to use pneumatics.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Air is around us, all of the time, making weather. For thousands of
years we have used wind, which is driven by high and low pressure.
We have used wind to make our boats and ships move over the
oceans. We had to understand the where, and when, of prevailing
“trade winds,” to use them to take us around the world.
Land-based wind turbines ground grain and pumped water for us.
This first one below is from Persia and is centuries old. Next to that is
one in Holland, where they really like tulips a lot.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Technology is the understanding of science applied to usefulness, and
is now helping us to make efficient use of wind to make safe, clean
energy with more advanced wind turbines. Many different wind energy
designs are being invented and tested. You have probably seen some.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Above are 3 different types of Wind Turbines. VAWT means “Vertical
Axis Wind Turbine.” There are many interesting design possibilities.
The Head on Squonk’s Pneumatica is a modified Savonius VAWT, which
is based on “drag” like a sailing ship. Drag is like catching the wind.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide Using our science, our understanding of air, we respond to air and
these principles. We use them in many ways: on our buildings, our
cars, and other vehicles. We use it to heat and cool and make energy.
Here is how we design a building so it doesn’t blow over in a
hurricane, by reducing its “drag.”
Here is how we use smoke and little flags on a car, in a “wind tunnel.”
to make car designs with less “drag” to save energy.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide A real Pneumatics engineer has a special language, and when she
makes a plan, she translates her idea above into symbols. Symbols are
good because they just say what’s important about the design.
This is what the same idea looks like in symbols:
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide But it’s all very fun too! Here is Dr. Pneumatica making a Toroidal
Vortex with a garbage can. You could also call it a smoke ring!
A Toroidal Vortex is whirling air or liquid in the shape of a doughnut.
Vortices are created by many things, including dolphins, volcanoes,
tornadoes, hurricanes and whirlpools. They can be created around the
wings of an airplane, in the wake of a boat, or in a rocket blast.
Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide WORKSHOP DEMO INDEX: Dr. Pneumatica, with Jackie “Keyboards” and several assistants, will use these machines and devices to show the properties of air, and fun applications of these properties: ONSITE DEMO Hardware -­‐ Dr. Pneumatica’s star costume will demonstrate Pascal’s observation that any pressure input pushes out in all directions, and giant inflatables that show volume and energy transference: Pascal’s law is just fun! -­‐ Floating ball machine that demonstrates drag and the Bernoulli pressure equalization using multiple large balls that interfere with each other’s airstream in complex ways -­‐ Ping pong ball popper to demonstrate Bernoulli high-­‐speed= less-­‐pressure rule that makes huge airplanes fly and shower curtains rush in toward the stream -­‐ 12’ long tube that is inflated with one breath using Bernoulli’s Principle -­‐ Balloons and 3 different beds of NAILS to demonstrate pressure and the relationship between force and area in air systems. Are they going to pop? -­‐ High-­‐pressure blowers and inflatables where you can get tactile understanding of pressure and air movement and valving. High volume blowers and tubes that show the difference between velocity and pressure -­‐ 2 pneumatic pistons that extend and demonstrate Pascal’s Law and mechanical advantage gained by pneumatics -­‐ CO2 demonstrations to show isolated gases and their use, and the relationship between temperature, volume and the change of fluid states from liquid to gas -­‐ Bull-­‐roarer that shows the creation of air vibrations -­‐ Accordion, wind instruments, electronic bagpipes to show how wind instruments work using pneumatic rules and how music manipulates sound waves -­‐ Meteorology: Anemometer, air pressure, wind speed -­‐ and sample VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) that we can run from a blower -­‐ Smoke machine so that we can visualize air and low-­‐pressure pockets -­‐ Small and large vortex blowers that use doughnut-­‐shaped low-­‐pressure torus to knock cups off the heads of Squonkers Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide IMPORTANT SCIENCE RULES: Pascal's Law: if a confined fluid is at rest, pressure is transmitted undiminished in all directions and exerts equal force on all areas, in addition to right angles to them. p = F / A p = pressure (lbs/in2 or N/m2); F = force (lbs or N); A= πr2 = area (in2 or m2) Boyle's Law: The volume of gas at constant temperature varies inversely with the pressure exerted on it. p1(V1) = p2(V2) 3
V = volume (in or m3); p = pressure (lbs or N) Charles' Law: The volume of gas increases or decreases as the temperature increases or decreases, provided the amount of gas and pressure remain constant. V1/ T1) = V2/ T2 V = volume (in3 or m3); T = absolute temperature (°R) Gay-­‐Lussac's Law: The absolute pressure of a gas increases or decreases as the temperature increases or decreases, provided the amount of gas and the volume remain constant. p1/ T1) = p2/ T2 p = absolute pressure (lbs/in2 or N/m2); T = absolute temperature (°R) Flow is what operates the actuators in the cylinders. Flow rates, which determine actuator speed, are measured in in3 per sec or gallons per minute, and are generated by a pump. When flow is given, the actuator volume displacement directly affects actuator speed. The less volume to displace in the cylinder leads to faster actuators. In general, pressure is the resistance to flow. Pumps produce flow, not pressure! Q = VA 3
Q = volumetric flow rate (in /sec); V = velocity (in/sec); A = area (in2) Torque is a twisting force that is found by multiplying the force times the distance. It is measured in foot pounds. Hydraulic and pneumatic pumps produce work to be used within the fluid power system. Given a specific motor torque and motor RPM, specifies energy usage or horsepower requirement. Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide FLUID POWER: Fluid power incorporates the generation, control and application of smooth, effective power of pumped or compressed fluids, gas or liquid, when this power is used to provide force and motion to mechanisms. If the compressed fluid is a gas, it is called pneumatics, while if the compressed fluid is a liquid, it is called hydraulics. Fluid power systems provide many benefits to users, including: • Multiplication and variation of force: Linear or rotary force can be multiplied from a fraction of an ounce to several hundred tons of output. • Easy, accurate control: You can start, stop, accelerate, decelerate, reverse or position large forces with great accuracy. Analog (infinitely variable) and digital (on/off) control are possible. Instantly reversible motion, within less than half a revolution, can be achieved. • Multi-­‐function control: A single hydraulic pump or air compressor can provide power and control for numerous machines or machine functions when combined with fluid power manifolds and valves. • High horsepower / low weight ratio: Pneumatic components are compact and lightweight. You can hold a 5 horsepower hydraulic motor in the palm of your hand. • Low speed torque: Unlike electric motors, air or hydraulic motors can produce large amounts of torque (twisting force) while operating at low speeds. Some hydraulic and air motors can even maintain torque at zero speed without overheating. • Constant force or torque: This is a unique fluid power attribute. • Safe in hazardous environments: Fluid power can be used in mines, chemical plants, near explosives and in paint applications because it is inherently spark-­‐free and can tolerate high temperatures. Fluid Power Fluid power systems consist of four basic components: reservoir/receiver (fluid storage); pump/compressor (converts mechanical power to fluid power); valve (controls direction and amount of flow); and actuators (converts fluid power to mechanical power, that is, cylinder and pistons). The connectors for these components consist of pipe, tube or hoses so the fluid can flow to/from the components. Squonk Pneumatica: the science of air Workshop learning guide SQUONK WORKHOP HISTORY: Jackie Dempsey and Steve O’Hearn lead the workshops, with up to 10 other Squonk artists and technicians involved. We have done educational workshops and master classes at more than 50 American schools and universities. We have pushed the boundaries of accessibility: we often give free shows to public schools and offer ticket-­‐
less events for the general public. Squonk Opera has performed in more than 200 venues in 28 states across the U.S. Our audience has included 500,000 people, and has spanned from Asia to Europe, and 14 million on live TV. According to the Pittsburgh Post-­‐Gazette, we “create shows that unite local blue collar ‘yinzers’ with university professors.” Squonk Opera has toured and conducted residencies from Stanford University to Broadway to Canada, Scotland, Belgium, Germany and South Korea. Reviews include “the insane majesty of Squonk Opera” from The Scotsman, and “…surreal and poetic” from USA Today. Our audience, disparate in geography and background, is fueled by the optimistic instinct that great art is accessible and engaged. Our work has received 6 NEA grants, and many other regional and national grants and awards. The Squonkers have been called “geek hipsters” by the Post-­‐Gazette, and we love to combine and mix science, technology and culture. We have always believed that the Science/Art divide is a false dichotomy. Our shows celebrate human curiosity, combining science and art to enrich each other. The technologies that we use are celebrated and honored with onstage technicians, visible machines and amazing but legible trickery. The machines that are musical instruments are amplified visually and exposed with live feed video. We have played organ pipes with CO2 blasts and with toilet plungers. We have shamelessly demonstrated wave theory, interference patterns and the harmonic series with 20’ springs. We have done shows about outer space, natural resources and the psychology of group behavior. We created an entire show about steel making, featuring a lascivious dance of the impurities (carbon, silica, sulfur and phosphorus) being attracted to oxygen in the Bessemer process with atomically correct LED codpieces, and a performer as a slab of steel suffering the various forming processes. The Pittsburgh Post-­‐Gazette called Firedogs “a comic lecture on steel by the self-­‐declared masters of Performance Steel Making…a living cartoon of intelligence and irreverence, perfectly Pittsburgh.” We believe student and adult audiences can be smart and funny, geeky and cool. Like all Squonk shows, Pneumatica is inspired by the mundane and the nebulous of the world we live in. We hope to inspire the students to lead optimistic and engaged lives. More about Squonk and Pneumatica at www.squonkopera.org