Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!europa.chnt.gtegsc.com!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!nagle
From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: Robotic movement question...
Message-ID: <nagleD88KFx.wC@netcom.com>
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
References: <3oeqjb$9il@clue.callamer.com> <3ojh7j$3fhk@tuba.aix.calpoly.edu>
Date: Mon, 8 May 1995 01:35:56 GMT
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Sender: nagle@netcom20.netcom.com

dwolfe@tuba.aix.calpoly.edu (David Wolfe) writes:
>In article <3oeqjb$9il@clue.callamer.com>,
>Liam Chasteen <lchastee@pinot.callamer.com> wrote:
>>Hello-
>>	What if I used a small hobby engine (gas powered, like the ones used
>>in model airplanes) to run a small compressor. The compressor could be used
>>to drive pnuematic pistons to "move" to robot. Another small engine could
>>run a 5 volt generator, enough to power a small control board. 
>1) These suckers are loud. 1/2 A motors (like Cox T.D. .051's) make
>2) Model airplane motors vibrate. A lot more than electric motors.
>5) Also remember that these little engines can be pretty tricky to keep
>I don't know what size you're looking into, but you might be better off
>using something designed for use on the ground, like a chainsaw or
>weedeater engine. 

     Yes.  Nevertheless, IC engines for robots offer one of the few
really good power/weight options available.  I'd like to see somebody
find a really small 4-cycle engine, do a butane conversion on it, and
hook it to a generator.  Something about 50w idle, 300-500w at full
throttle would be good.  That would be a useful powerplant.  

					John Nagle
