Atmosphere powered cart. // Homemade Science with Bruce Yeany 

I always liked vacuum energy storage because the output is consistent for the whole piston stroke, compared to a positive pressure system where the force diminishes as pressure is released. How about a gravity powered car with a vertically suspended weight? That would be fun to demonstrate that it can't travel further uphill than the starting position of the weight (or can it?). Have you seen my piston vacuum cannon? ;)

Thumbs up as always, Bruce. Back in the early 1700s Newcomen atmospheric engines used condensed steam to create the partial vacuum and pump water out of mines, predating steam engines and kicking off the industrial revolution.

Should definitely try mounting multiple tubes together and see how overall increase in force can affect acceleration and distance. Maybe also add a gear reduction on the axle with a separate dowel rod for make an adjustable gear set up

Can’t go wrong drilling some holes in the subframe. Shaving weight off of it will do wonders.

I just found your channel and I love it. This reminds me of "mouse-trap cars" my 8th grade science teacher had our class do. Same concept, but using the swing action of the mouse trap to pull a string or rubber band to turn the rear axle. Speed was not the goal. The goal was distance. Some of us added a straight piece of wire close hanger to the trap portion that swung, increasing the range of travel/propulsion (length of rubber band or string). We tried different size wheels for front and rear. Absolutely one of my most favorite projects that we did.

Quality as usual 👍 Quite impressive range. My recomendations: use a drop of lubricant (glicerin?) on the piston, it would seal and decrease friction. Please consider a car powered with Stirling engine as a project.

Beautiful. Always a pleasure to watch your projects!

the larger sleeve caused the wheels to spin on the floor and the elastic band added rolling resistance. try tapering the end of that sleeve, begin the winding ON the sleeve and then put the last couple or few windings around the axle without the sleeve. the car will already be moving and the transition between the 5/16s and the 5/8s diameters will be a little more gradual. It would be like a variable gearbox and I THINK it will increase your distance. take a look at the cams at the tips of a compound bow for a little additional inspiration.

I love all of your experiments Mr. Yeany! Thanks for all of your magnificent work.

I would recommend taking advantage of an overdrive ratio using gears (I would use standard spur gears), something that would give a final drive ratio of about 0.6 or so. Allowed you to discharge the energy stored in a more controlled manner not loosing it to wheel slip. I would refrain from using friction modifiers (rubber bands) as they will increase friction (frictions is what gets you going but it's also what stops you). One could also decrease the mass of the vehicle and wheels by drilling holes in places where it won't compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. Another approach is to add another tube side by side to the first but facing the opposite direction which would be hooked up to a similar gear setup as the rear but that also reverses the direction of movement (allowing all 4 wheels to spin in the same direction). At that point I would revisit the gear ratios in order to calculate the optimal overdrive ratio.

It is a remarkable idea of atmospheric force KE conversion 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😄😄👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

From what I remember in class, we used a mousetrap for ours, but I used a "variable transmission" for the windings....which was simply a hyperbolic winder around a "free axle" (not attached to the wheels), the winding was started at the highest point and worked down and wound around the axle a few times (so that initial power was the slowest spin....or was it the other way? it's been over 20 years now, I can't remember, lol). The free axle was tied to the rear axle in a 2:1 ratio with a rubber band belt (takes 2 rotations of the free axle to move the wheels 1 rotation), this provided the least slippage. The total amount of power, if I remember correctly, ended up at 4:1 overdrive from power to wheels (including the 2:1 ratio). The winder wasn't exactly hyperbolic, but it was close to it; it was created as a way to smooth out the transition of power from the mousetrap to the axle in a smooth way (because the mousetrap had a half circle arc to its power, while the line was straight, and the last 1/4th of the power was pretty much diminishing returns). Not sure if that would help at all with a vacuum driver, but that's what makes science fun, maybe you can give it a try...maybe have different "driver" winding cores for the kids to try out and measure speed/distance graphs with, have them guess on which driver would produce the best before testing (heck, if the majority of the class get it right, pizza party? lol)

Always cool clips. You want faster? Make a lighter frame. But you get even more profit from lighter wheels. So lose as much mass as possible. It's nice to see the difference in speed if you leave the drivetrain the same.

You gave me some ideas for my water clock contraption.

If as I suspect you are a science teacher your children must get some pretty exciting science ideas to play with? Great

Make it 4 wheel drive by adding second plunger mounted in reverse and wrapped around front axle, which would have to be wound in the opposite direction than the rear. Also, you could use multiple plungers in two wheel drive. By adding bearings you could decrease energy loss due to friction. Another thing that would help is to make sure all wheels are perfectly round. I could hear the thump thump of uneven/balanced wheels. Drilling holes in frame, or anywhere possible, could also drop weight. Lots can be done with this to improve performance.

Good content. Nice to see kids taught physics without using tech for almost everything and in a wholesome hands on way. A twin cylinder would be an interesting modification. I nearly suggested a different axle diameter to change the perceived gear ratio but you beat me to it.

I’d love to see the reverse using pressure and possibly a tank maybe 60 psi with the same string drive mechanism

Another idea. Using a pulley system to allow more revolutions in the axis. Something by changing the ratio of the linear displacement VS rotation. It will reduce the acceleration but may increase final distance.

First class as always Bruce!

You can reduce the chassis length and thereby the vehicle mass by extending a rod with a pulley on it, looping the string back. You can also try pulleys and shackles as gears, stepping through the stages as you gain speed.

I think i got a way to add a second vacuum. You will need another axel a spindle with rubberized “lips” a release pin and cord to pull spindle tight against the main axel and a third cord to pull the pin. Additionally you would need to add mounting points so the new cords would be guided properly the second axel would need to be held in a short track located just below the first axel. The cord length will be crucial to keep energy losses minimal the pin needs to be pulled right after contact is made with the with the main axel. If its late the second pump will discharge without any friction to slow it. Basically once the first pump locks it should also lock the second pump into action. Since the second pump is pulling on a spindle it wont pull against the first pump which is connected to the 2nd axel permanently. It could be possible with space to put as many pumps in series as you like. No gears just axels and free spinning spindles. I just doodled it on some paper so i have a little drawing if you want.

What about adding some weights in the wheel/axis to acummulate some energy to try to make it goes further? Something like a friction toy car.

Next, try a twin piston. Maybe an all-wheel drive?

Another great project Bruce. Thanks for sharing. I will try to build it with some of Mark Rober's fastest derby car tips.

I guess the obvious improvements are anything to reduce the mass, and particularly, anything to reduce the wheel rolling friction. Potentially, having the wheels sprung might help as well, such that reducing the wheel (unsprung) mass might help more than reducing the body mass.

Excellent work!

Using the soaker as a constant force plunger is a great idea! What about using the soaker as a ball launcher that shoots balls at a constant velocity? I’ve been trying to find a way to shoot a projectile (ball) both straight and at a constant velocity for a projectile lab. Rubber bands and air pressure are too inconsistent. Springs are a possibility, but using a soaker may be a cheaper alternative.

Wow amazing. One day I will have to try this

I was thinking if there was l a winder plunger area and probably and maybe a bigger spool that can take more stirring would make that go farther? And glad to see you with all your students because they seem like great kids from all the way from Valparaiso Indiana.

Just wonder, what if we use two plungers? this will give it more power but not necessarily make it reach a longer distance, and what if we add a flywheel to stabilize the pulling force and maybe give it a longer run after the string ends, Thanks Bruce,

Going down to 2 wheels (the balancing mechanism to be added will bring in more weight of course but who knows) and placing rubber bands which will fall off after take off may increase the range. A shorter chassis will decrease weight of course.

You increased the toque with the larger diameter axle. Maybe you can try a simple block and tackle design to decrease torque and possibly make it go farther (though slower).

To improve the motion time, what if you you add a 2nd vacuum system, when the first one is done, could release the second ...... If that works, what about 3 ???

putting the piston at 90 degrees could shorten the setup, could it not? Would make it less stable with the center of gravity higher up. Also the pulley needed ads more friction. Have fun!

How would it perform with the string wound up on a conical axel getting bigger as it unwinds, allowing it to manage torque initially and giving it more momentum later to go further

What about add magnet and steel to create more power？Thanks.

well technicly the energy to run it does not come from the atmosphere, it comes from whoever pulls the plunger back (his/her energy comes from food etc.). although you explained how it works in the description, the title is a bit misleading.

I really enjoy your experiments with atmospheric pressure! A couple of questions / suggestions: 1) Was the slowing down at 5:35 due to the rubber bands (you mentioned it slowed down faster). 2) There was a point where you said it was a rollback toy - was that due to the string not releasing from the axle? 3) (suggestions) Could be fun to install a pressuredatalogger to see the pressurechanges during driving. Maybe a thermal camera could catch a temperature change during extension of the piston? Thank you for the video and the time you put into it! Best regards from Søren

Another great project to do with the grandkids. Great video. How about using PVC and plug similar to what Nighthawk did for his vaccum assist air gun.

Love this! I was thinking about ways to add a second tube that would engage after the first had finished. Most of them were way too complicated, involving gears and a second set of wheels.

What about a weight reduction using pla on a 3d printer to build the frame of the car. The wheels could be printed as well for weight reduction. The axle maybe a carbon fiber arrow shaft.

really awesome

What happen if we add two pipe in two different direction and loop the connection in opposite direction and wheel force in same direction

And I think with a little creative thought and some Added mass and bearings to control the mass added friction reverse action could be amplified

Can we make it continues by restoring plunger back to it possible back and forth

By the title, I thought you were not only talking about a propelled motion machine, but a propetual motion machine... That said, I would further the test by seeing if doubling up the vaccum would increase the distance (measured by leaving it go in a circle with chalk on the tires/in the car) allowing one to measure the circumference) or the speed

Put some ice around the tube after you pull the piston all the way out? Or even better, dry ice.

It seems like we found a Ulternative of Gasoline but it's not practical as it don't take much load & we have to refill it like every 1 km

Possibly a two way air cylinder with a way to mechanically open two way valve at the end of the first string unwinding Or half travel point

With some simple gearing and mechanical relays and some weight, that could probably travel upwards of a mile.

Hi Mr Yeany, long time fan, quick question, what material / method is best for the wheel rod? What works best for wood rotation/ hinge action? Thanks so much

Mult-stage, where as one plunger bottoms out, it "fires" the next plunger in series. You have enough room there for several tubes.

Really amazing

Nice....I have a huge 100ml syringe I'm going to try this with. I currently use this to pull fluids from my car(brake master etc) but thus sounds way more fun. Might resist collapsing better. I'll put up a link when it is done!

Maybe you could put a pulley on the end of the air ram Or even possibly a series of pulleys Mechanical leverage

This video is making me feel pressured to try this myself

Maybe multiple smaller syringes would be better. A multi-syringe engine will fit in a smaller car, and distribute the force along the axis more evenly. Careful drilling many holes in the axis, it will reduce its structural integrity, so making it thicker might be the way to go.

I've made something like that the minute it started moving its just full throttles in 5-6 secs I used rubber bands but Bruce Yeany I got a question if you know so Silly String Inside of the bottle is there 2 chemicals that mix together to form the string and is there co2 in it that make's the string shoot out?

Engineering is a beautiful thing!

It would be interesting to try to show the affect of the atmosphere pushing on the handle. The atmosphere is pushing on all parts of the outside of the syringe equally, and we understand that the plunger moves because the atmosphere is pushing on the end of the handle and the whole thing is free to move inwards because there is less pressure pushing outwards there, then presumably making the handle larger (specially with a larger diameter to increase the inward push) that should increase the rate at which the plunger moves. The atmosphere would have a greater surface area to push on in that case, increasing the force (pounds per sq. in. multiplied by more square inches to push on), which in theory should increase the speed at which the plunger is moved. If it does make a difference how much larger does the increased surface area on the end of the handle need to be before the effect is measurable? If it doesn't make a difference, why?

Nice project. Just curious, did you not retire from teaching some time ago? Looks like you are back at school now, which I'm sure the kids love.

I dont understand how this moves, the atmospheric pressure is pushing equally on both ends of the tube so the sum of forces should be zero

شكر لك

When doing a circle the the tires will slip as the axel makes them rotate equally but they travel diffrent distance .. this causes energy loss To solve this give only one wheel at rear the power and let othe spin freely without axel... To do so use a pully other side of the tire to be powerd this will be a lot effective

14.7 psi...ah the memories. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade we were studying something about atmosphere. The teacher asked what the pressure was. I knew it was '147' something...so I said 147. She laughed at me, that was too much...and I never have gotten over that :> !!! I had the right numbers...but decimals matter! That much I learned. Learned to not volunteer an answer (unfortunately) as well :

I have all ways felt this could be worked in to a car as regenerative braking as it can take a large amount of energy very quickly and release it slowly to take of again

Buongiorno professore. Bellissimo esperimento sulla propulsione a depressione, ho visto come può cambiare la forza e la percorrenza cambiando o l'asse, facendolo più piccolo, o con delle pulegge per aumentare i giri, però perdendo la forza. Mi chiedevo, se il " tubo per il vuoto" fosse collegato a un'asta più vicino al punto di fulcro e all'altra estremità fosse collega all'asse, potrebbe funzionare meglio. In pratica un sistema di leva. Non so se mi sono espresso bene. Purtroppo quando era ora di studiare io non c'ero 😢 Però mi piace inventare cose. Se vuole vedere qualche mio lavoretto lo trova sul mio canale. Interessante i movimenti per i personaggi del presepe. Cordiali saluti

I would have liked to have you as a science teacher.

Bruce. Have you made cars running on chemical made pressure? Say like this plunger but using vinegar and baking soda to go the other way.

Now a full sized car powered by atmospheric pressure with gears!

3d printing can be more light and fast because plastic material

А если на конус будет наматывается веревка !?

Another RU-vidr hacksawed a few old hard drives open to use the thin disks and their very good bearings as wheels for his carts.

Check smarter every day 149. There is a deadlift machine on the ISS that use that principle because obviously it cannot rely on gravity/weight once in orbit.

Вакуум - сила

Hmmmm..Maybe You should have Run it down the Straight Red Line...Turn it in to an ICE 🚆 🤫 The Power of Followng the Spiral of Energy from a Singularity can have "Hidden" in many Directions some Amazing Surprises 🧐....Just the Push Alone when CROSSING the LINE was Immense.... 👁 C.... 🤛🏿❤🤜🏼

bigger wheels should go further

Imagine 14 psi in a spacesuit in the 10 to the minus 17 tor vacuum !!! Wow it wouldnt happen

Oscillation

Not atmosphere powered. I'd say powered by underpressure.

10/16 made me cringe lol

wrong. it is powerd by the strength of muscles pulling the vacuum.

What a waste of time. You can do the same thing with rubber bands. Sheesh...too much time on your hands I guess.

Technically I think its powered by the muscle energy that pulls out the plunger, the atmospheric pressure itself just acts to put it back at equilibrium once released. Its the same thing as a reverse coil spring toy car, the spring itself is NOT the the source of energy but a storage medium for the kinetic energy of your hand's muscles.

Now if only you could have a full system where every revolution of the wheels would compress air into a system that would keep refilling the "fuel tank," every time you hit the brakes at a stop. Of course the system would have to be partially electrical, but I do think a fully mechanical system is possible. Jesus Christ Almighty God bless you all 😊