Have you ever wondered how a petrol pump nozzle magically knows when to stop filling your car? Lets delve into the inner workings of this seemingly simple device to uncover the ingenious mechanisms behind its automatic shut-off feature. Forget complex electronics – the secret lies in two clever, entirely mechanical principles: the Venturi effect and a series of levers.
Dissecting the Mystery:
Instead of dissecting a real nozzle, which wouldn’t be very safe, the video uses custom-built models to illustrate each mechanism separately. This makes it easier to visualize the intricate interplay of forces involved.
The Venturi Effect in Action:
Imagine a tube that narrows in the middle. When you blow through it, the airspeed increases in the narrow section, causing a drop in pressure there. This phenomenon, known as the Venturi effect, is crucial for the nozzle’s operation.
The Nozzle’s Got a Tube Too:
Inside the nozzle, there’s a similar tube with a constriction. As petrol flows through, the pressure drops in this narrow part, creating a suction effect. But what does this suction have to do with stopping the flow?
The Secret Weapon: A Tiny Hole:
There’s a small hole at the tip of the nozzle connected to this low-pressure zone. When your tank is empty, air gets sucked in through this hole, relieving the suction and keeping the valve open.
The Plot Thickens: Enter the Petrol:
As your tank fills, petrol reaches the hole, blocking the airflow. Petrol is denser than air, so the suction gets stronger. This increased suction acts on a membrane connected to a lever system.
The Lever Magic:
The clever lever design amplifies the suction force, ultimately pulling a valve shut. This ingenious mechanism ensures the flow stops automatically when your tank is full, preventing spills and potential fire hazards.
Beyond the Simplified Model:
While the video uses simplified models, the actual nozzle employs a more complex system of ball bearings and chambers to achieve the same result. Nevertheless, the core principles remain the same.
A Fascinating Look at Everyday Engineering:
This video is a testament to the ingenuity hidden within seemingly ordinary objects. By understanding the science behind the petrol pump nozzle, we gain a newfound appreciation for the clever design and engineering that goes into our everyday lives.
Key Takeaways:
The petrol pump nozzle uses the Venturi effect and a lever system to automatically shut off when the tank is full.
No complex electronics are involved – it’s all about clever mechanical design.
Understanding these principles can help us appreciate the engineering marvels in our everyday world.
A fantastic turbo engine has been built by a small US startup business. Cars, ships, and airplanes might all benefit from the engine’s capabilities.
Astron Aerospace’s Omega 1 is an entirely original idea for an internal combustion engine, and when I say original, I mean it. When I initially saw the photos, I couldn’t understand what was going on. It appeared to be a stack of turbines, but it wasn’t. My first reaction was to assume it was some type of rotary engine, but it isn’t anything like the rotaries we’ve seen so far. It’s a clever idea. Let’s find out why it is?
What is Omega 1?
Source: astronaerospace
A single 35-pound (16 kg) engine develops 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque when idling at 1000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and reaching a redline of 25,000 rpm. All of the power of a single-engine is multiplied by the number of engines that may be placed end-to-end.
For example 5 engines will produce 160 hp x 5 = 800 hp, weighting 35 lb x 5 = 175 pounds (79 kg). This is an Incredibly high power to weight ratio.
How does it work?
Aerodynamic forces are eliminated since the engine is air-cooled, rotating shafts encircle the engine openings, and both upper and lower shafts counterrotate.
The colorful rotors on the intake and compression side of the engine, and the red rotors on the power and exhaust side, are the engine’s principal power-producing components.
The intake air is compressed and travels through a rotary valve to a pre-chamber between the rotors, where fuel is injected, and when it enters the power side rotor, it ignites, driving the rotor, and then leaves through the exhaust port. They recommend using hydrogen as a fuel for the engine, and the emissions will be nearly negligible.
Watch the videos and pause periodically to observe the process in action, and you’ll have an idea of how it all works.
Omega 1 Material
Source: astronaerospace
Titanium will be utilized to reduce weight in aviation engines first, but it is expected to be employed in nearly every internal combustion engine application imaginable. Aluminum will be used in situations where cost is an issue.
A wide range of industries might benefit from this technology, including commercial and recreational vehicles as well as generators and commercial trucks. If it works as advertised as a range extender for electric cars, then why bother with electric vehicles in the first place?
Source: astronaerospace
To keep up the momentum, the united team has a wealth of expertise in the automotive sector as well as in machining, engineering, and product development. They have a working prototype, but there is still a long way to go.
Conclusion
Although it has a lot of potentials, we’ve seen a lot of promising engines throughout the years, and whether it can advance to the next level will decide if it can succeed on a bigger scale. It will be an uphill battle to gain support and attention for this initiative in the current electrics-only era. You can’t get your point through if no one is willing to listen.
The development of internal combustion engines continues, as do the efforts of inventors with new concepts, and those who believe that the future belongs solely to electric vehicles should reevaluate their beliefs.
The 1953 Ford truck campaign employed humor to underscore a significant selling point of that era. In 1953, Ford’s major truck lines—the Ford F-Series conventional, the C-Series cab forward, and the T-Series tandem axle—all featured a revamped and modernized cab. This redesigned cab, as emphasized in the campaign, was engineered with a primary focus on driver comfort, a concept humorously coined as being “driverized.”
Historically, truck cabs were often an afterthought, with manufacturers prioritizing elements like reliability, powertrain options, and operational efficiency. The newly driverized Ford cab boasted increased glass area for enhanced visibility, a two-way adjustable seat (with optional additional foam padding at an extra cost) spacious enough to accommodate three passengers, and comprehensive weather sealing.
Described in brochures as “a truck driver’s dream come true,” these features may not sound luxurious by today’s standards. However, for the truck operators of that era, who spent extensive hours behind the wheel, the 1953 Ford campaign likely resonated as a harmonious melody.
The video below goes into more detail about the campaign’s details, highlighting how Ford’s creative cab design significantly improved truck drivers’ everyday life. It’s evidence of how the automotive industry’s objectives have changed over time, realizing the value of ergonomics and comfort for workers whose jobs required them to spend a lot of time on the road.
It is only fitting to commence this video feature with an image of William Clay Ford, the driving force behind the Continental Mark II. As the son of Edsel Ford, grandson of Henry Ford, and the father of the current Chairman of the Board, William Clay Ford Jr., Bill Ford played a pivotal role in leading the newly established Continental Division. This division had a singular mission: to create the Continental Mark II, distinctly branded as a Continental rather than a Lincoln.
At the young age of 27, Bill Ford assembled a team of automotive talents at the Continental Division, including chief stylist John Reinhart, chief engineer Harley Copp, and body engineer Gordon Buehrig, all featured in this original Ford film. Despite his initial dream of becoming a stylist himself, family responsibilities steered him in a different direction. The Mark II was conceived as a tribute to the original 1939 Lincoln Continental, one of Edsel Ford’s most exquisite creations. Bill Ford ensured that the Mark II would be a testament to the Ford family’s pride.
Although the Mark II did not achieve financial success, with each unit costing significantly more to build than its nearly $10,000 list price, it was far from a failure. The project accomplished precisely what Bill Ford and the Ford family aimed for: to produce the finest automobile within the capabilities of the Ford Motor Company. The original Continental Division film below provides insights into this remarkable story.
In conclusion, William Clay Ford’s leadership, coupled with the dedication of a talented team at the Continental Division, brought the Continental Mark II to life. Despite its financial challenges, the Mark II achieved its primary goal of embodying the highest standards of automotive excellence set by the Ford family. The legacy of this endeavor remains a testament to the commitment to craftsmanship and innovation within the Ford Motor Company.
The “Lycurgus Cup” is one of the first to implement nanotechnology throughout history. Modern science has demonstrated exactly how advanced the processes behind the cup’s manufacture were, even if it is doubtful if the makers realized the explanation for the extraordinary optical qualities of the cup.
This cup has a unique feature that makes it change its color with the change of the light direction or intensity. How did this cup perform such a stunning task? And was nanotechnology used in its manufacturing process? Did the ancient Romans discover this technology at that time, or was it just a coincidence?
Let’s find out.
The Story Behind the Cup
Lycurgus Cup is a mysterious antique from the end of the Roman period (4th Century AD). It’s a “cage cup,” which means that the primary cup is encircled by a beautiful “cage” pattern. The design of the cage here portrays King Lycurgus of Thrace’s anger and death.
2/3. He’s attacking the vines with an axe, so I’m assuming it is the legend of Dionysus and King Lycurgus. Musee Gallo Romain, France. Photo Steven Cockings #romanmosaicpic.twitter.com/PUXSd5N6JG
At least one Greek and Roman story shows King Lycurgus as trying to kill Ambrosia, a follower of the god Dionysus (Bacchus for the Romans). According to this version of the legend, Ambrosia was transformed into wine by the gods who gathered around the king and killed him. On the cup relief, two of Dionysus’s followers mock the hapless king.
Nanotechnology Properties
Source: wikicommons
In addition to being a stunning piece of art, the “Lycurgus Cup” is also extremely valuable. With valuable metals like silver and gold in its construction, the cup is priceless.
The cup’s rim is decorated with a silver-gilt leaf band, and the foot has silver-gilt vine leaves in an open-work design. Historically, it’s believed to be from the fourth century AD or before.
Source: worldhistory
In terms of nano-materialistic qualities, the “Lycurgus Cup” stands noteworthy. It appears green in color when viewed under bright, direct light.
However, when the cup is lit from the inside or backlit, the cup’s major reliefs miraculously turn red. The king’s picture also changes to a slight shade of purple.
Source: By Vassil / wikicommons
Scientists didn’t discover why this happened until the 1990s, and it’s uncertain if the Romans did. The presence of nanoparticles, silver 66.2 %, 31.2 % gold, and 2.6 % copper, up to 100 nm in size, spread in a glass matrix was discovered to be responsible for the dichroism (two colors).
The gold particles absorb light at a wavelength of 520 nm, resulting in the reddish color displayed. The purple color is caused by bigger particles absorbing light, whereas the green color is caused by colloidal dispersions of silver particles with a diameter of more than 40 nm scattering light.
This video shows changes color and appears like transparent red:
Source: calpaterson
The Manufacturing Process
Source: lookandlearn
Making the Lycurgus cup is one of many old crafts that has been lost by time. There is just one complete example of this method left: the cup itself. To make dichroic glass (a color-changing glass), Western civilization appears to have found the process only during the mid-20th century.
For its purposes, NASA, on the other hand, employs nanotechnology (gold and silver nanoparticles), an area of material science that was surely unavailable to ancient Romans. So, how did the Romans manage to infuse a glass cup with gold and silver nanoparticles?
According to what I’ve read, molten glass is mixed with nanogram quantities of gold or silver dust before being diluted with additional molten glass until the ratios are as low as possible. However, I’m unsure of how the gold and silver dust is broken down from dust size to nanoparticle level – indeed, this process is the lost secret.
Accident or Intention
Because it’s unclear how the Romans manufactured the glass, there’s some controversy regarding whether it was done “by accident” or not. Suppose the Romans had some sort of glass-blowing plant next to a goldsmith’s shop. In that case, some believe that kilns or equipment somehow had tiny gold and silver particles on them, which somehow entered the cup in the glassmaking process.
Source: New Forest Knowledge
However, there’s a chance that the Romans had some insider knowledge of glassmaking that we don’t. In ancient Rome, glassmaking was a relatively popular job, but because so much glass was recycled, there aren’t many Roman glass fragments in museums now.
A society where a large number of individuals work “empirically” with glass on a regular basis could learn something about the process of glassmaking that we don’t know now. Who knows?!
Where is it Now?
The “Lycurgus Cup” is largely believed to have spent the overwhelming majority of the intervening years above ground because of its outstanding state. Perhaps it was taken out of a grave early on in its existence, or perhaps it was stored in the church’s treasures like many other magnificent Roman artifacts.
The Lycurgus Cup is the only complete example of colour-changing dichroic glass from ancient Rome.
We may never learn the complete story of the object’s past, but we do know that it was owned by Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild sometime in the 1800s. Afterward, it was given to the British Museum in 1958, where it has been kept safe forever.
Playing tricks on people is nothing new. Throughout history, people have set each other up for funny pranks. One of those things that never goes out of style is the Pythagorean Cup.
Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, is responsible for one of history’s most memorable practical jokes. Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician, best known for his eponymous theorem, is also known for creating the Pythagorean Cup, a clever prank that has been fooling people for centuries. Who said mathematicians couldn’t have a sense of humor?
Even now, many are fooled by the clever shape of the cup. Let’s take a look at one of the world’s greatest pranks’ fascinating history and engineering.
Discovering the Cup Design
Source: By M Todorovic / wikicommons
The Pythagorean Cup is an easy puzzle to solve. The Pythagorean Cup differs from other cups in that it has a tiny column in the center instead of a single empty cup. The column is linked to the cup’s stem. The hollow stem of the cup leads to a little hole at the bottom of the cup.
There is an open chamber within the column. A tiny hole in the column allows liquid to flow from the cup to the central column. Drinking from a cup isn’t problematic if you fill it to a level just below the tip of the column. However, if you overfill the cup, you’ll encounter difficulties.
Source: By Nevit Dilmen / wikicommons
Using Pascal’s theory of communicating vessels, this prank is possible. Small holes in the cup’s base and the column’s stem allow liquid to enter the cup when it’s full, and it exits via the bottom and the stem. This enables the entire cup to be drained by creating a siphon. Consequently, attempting to overfill a glass will result in the loss of all of the liquid that you’ve just poured.
This video shows how this cup works:
The Pythagorean Cup’s Origins: A History of the Prank
Source: wikicommons
According to popular belief, Pythagoras of Samos is to blame for the creation of the cup.
During Pythagoras’ lifetime, between 570 and 495 BCE, the cup is considered to have been first used in the mid-6th century BCE. According to one story, Pythagoras made the cup as a way to punish his friends for being greedy and filling their wine glasses to the maximum. Thus, it is sometimes referred to as the “Greedy Cup” in reference to this story.
Source: Annielogue / Wikimedia Commons
It is also possible that the cup was designed by Pythagoras as a reminder for people to drink responsibly. You can normally drink from the cup if the liquid level is below a specific point. However, if you pour above that level, all the liquid will drain away. There is no doubt that it had an impact, whether it was meant as a kind of punishment or a lesson to drink responsibly. People all across the world have been inspired by the Pythagorean Cup’s basic design, and it is still a popular practical joke.
Make Your Own Pythagorean Cup to Prank Your Friend!
The old ritual of having your buddies spill their drinks all over themselves is waiting for you if you want to participate. Pythagorean Cups can be created in a variety of ways at home. Even though it’s possible to get one from an internet store, why bother? Make your own Pythagorean Cup and see how it turns out!
When it comes to designing your own cup, you have a few choices. 3D printing the cup might be an option if you want to take the prank to the next level. An instructional video from 3D Printing Nerd tells you just how it’s done. If you have access to 3D printing technology, this design is worth a try.
If you want to get back to your roots, you may make your cup out of clay, exactly like the ancient Greeks.
Beginner sculptors may learn how to make a Pythagorean Cup from scratch using one of the many online video instructions available. You’ll be able to show off your artistic abilities and play pranks on your buddies at the same time. That’s a win-win situation for everyone!
Are there any other pranks you can think of that uses science and engineering in creative ways?
It’s easy to get the sense that electric vehicles are clearly the way of the future just by walking in the town. As a result of Tesla’s rapid share price rise, Elon Musk momentarily became the richest man on Earth, and the firm declared its first profitable year since its inception in 2003.
Charging stations and solar farms are also being installed by municipalities, which are also expanding their fleets of Evs. Ford and GM, as well as direct competitors to Tesla, like Lucid, are committing to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles and solely create electric vehicles from as early as 2035.
Does this mean that the future is going to be all-electric? Possibly not. Fear of carbon emissions and a desire to minimize them are the primary driving forces behind this market push. But is this enough for the switch?
However, there are alternative methods to achieve these objectives, and electric cars aren’t as environmentally friendly as they appear at first glance. Let’s find out why EVs might not be the future of transportation.
EVs and Environment Concerns
Compared to fossil fuel-powered vehicles, they are cleaner over time. However, just because your car isn’t emitting any pollutants doesn’t imply that it hasn’t had an influence on the environment.
CO2 emissions from automotive manufacturing account for 5% to 10% of a vehicle’s lifetime CO2 emissions. And here comes the problem with electric vehicles.
The batteries in electric vehicles put them at the top list affecting the environment. Like all car parts, those batteries will need to be replaced after some time if you want to keep your car on the road.
But we should mention though that Tesla had at least made an effort to either extend the life of its lithium-ion batteries or even recycle them. However, the problem doesn’t stop here. Once the car is on the road, it will require some form of power source to keep it moving.
Fossil fuels still provide a reliable means of moving from point A to point B around the world. On the other hand, this is not the case with electric vehicle charging stations that many places around the world still lack.
Lower Range
Electric vehicles may be used in a range of places and conditions. As long as you’re careful with your charging, you won’t find yourself stuck midway through your daily route.
It’s true that many people have trouble keeping an eye on their gas gauge, but the consequences of running out of petrol aren’t as serious as an empty battery. It’s always possible to reach the nearest gas station, fill a can with gas, and have enough power to bring to your car and continue your trip.
On the other hand, a Tesla with a dead battery is a headache. It requires the use of a tow truck to move it to the nearest station or find some electricity generator to charge it.
Of course, Tesla will do everything it can to alert the driver when it’s time to recharge. It will also show nearby charging stations that are still within reach while reducing its speed to preserve more power.
Then there’s the issue of range. Some Tesla models have a 400-mile range, and electric competitor Lucid claims to break the 500-mile threshold.
As long as you’re not the person with usually long trips, that’s perfect for everyday use. For extended road journeys, though, it isn’t the best option.
Despite the fact that not everyone needs to travel from New York to Florida in one go, those who do would instead love to spend five minutes filling a tank than spend hours waiting for their battery to charge.
Better Alternatives?
Source: audioudnwerbung / GETTY IMAGES
Currently, hydrogen-powered vehicles and plug-in hybrids are the front-runners. However, there are environmental concerns with hydrogen extraction technologies compared to electric, mainly because they use a lot of energy. Maybe this is one of the reasons why we don’t have more hydrogen cars.
Additionally, it’s the most expensive of the three choices. There is still a long way to go before hydrogen extraction technologies, and hydrogen-powered automobiles become popular.
The advantage of this technology is that you can replenish your tank with real gas (hydrogen) in approximately the same amount of time as it takes to refill your current tank with “gasoline.” Plus, our supply won’t run out any time soon because it’s the most plentiful element in the universe.
Hybrids are also a possibility. A typical hybrid powertrain can be fueled by gasoline and battery power to extend your range. It’s an easy-to-understand idea that actually works.
It is still more environmentally friendly than standard vehicles, but not much as all-electric or hydrogen. Fueling takes around five minutes, much like refueling your regular car.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that combines the advantages of an electric car with the flexibility of a gas-powered car, plug-in hybrids are an option.
Although electric cars have gone a long way in recent years, many other modes of transportation do not have the same limits. However, they are getting better every year with new technologies, but with these limitations, I see that electric cars might have NO FUTURE!
In the building industry, Tensegrity Structures are an interesting development. Buckminster Fuller, the famed architect, was no exception to the rule that architects are constantly in search of the challenging and unique. His experiments with various architectural and structural concepts resulted in one of the smartest advancements in the building industry: Tensegrity, which he named the “fuller world.”
In human bodies, the spine is the closest and most straightforward example of a tensegrity structure. When it comes to constructing structure systems, compression force is the most common. In contrast, tensegrity structures are constructed using the tension force, which is a pulling force transmitted by using a string, a cable, a chain or other material.
How does Tensegrity Works?
Tensioned components are maintained in place by a set of bars (the compressed elements) that are not connected to each other. Each bar is under continuous compression, and each tensioned part (chain, cable…) is under continuous tension.
As seen in the picture below, the “floating” object is being pulled in two directions by the red vectors, while the green vector represents the object’s weight.
Source: physicslens
The string from which the object’s lowest point is hanging exerts an upward tension (seen below) that makes this feasible. The object’s weight creates a moment of stress that is counterbalanced by the other tensions. It’s easy to see where the “floating” structure’s center of gravity is in the accompanying figure, where the green vector denotes the structure’s weight. With the help of the strings, two smaller downward vectors are balanced by weight and provide stability to the structure’s sideways motion.
Features of Tensegrity Structures
Mechanical equilibrium:
When viewed up close, the structure appears to float, yet it is actually solid even with the limited usage of stiff parts. As a result of this mechanical equilibrium, the tensile and compressive components remain stable.
Pre-Stress:
Tensegrity structures have previously been subjected to “self-stress” or “prestress,” in which each component is already under stress. They are further pushed by each other, a state that is known as “self-stress” or “prestress.”
Flexible:
Even though they are held in place by pre-stressing, tensegrity structures are extremely sensitive to external forces. When the structure is bent, its components rapidly reposition themselves and do so reversibly and without breaking.
Super Harmonic:
Because the parts are so closely linked, what affects one affects them all, resulting in a completely integrated harmonic system.
Modifying:
It’s possible to create an even more complex system of tensegrity structures by combining many tensegrity structures together. Disruption of an individual tensegrity unit in these systems does not compromise the overall system integrity.
Top 7 Tensegrity Structures
Dissipate at Afrika burn
Source: Jhono Bennett
Kurilpa Bridge – Australia
Source: Tupungato/Shutterstock
The Biosphere – Montreal
Source: meunierd/Shutterstock
Munich Olympic Stadium
Source: meunierd/Shutterstock
Needle Tower By Kenneth Snelson – Washington
Source: Bakusova/Shutterstock
Denver International Airport
Source: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock
Nasa Super Ball Bot
Source: NASA SuperBall
Watch the following video by Steve Mould on YouTube to see how tensegrity structure work in action:
