drive over air hose to close gate

[ugabulldog]

I am trying to come up with a way to have farm tube style gate close once driven thru. My plan is to manually open gate and latch in open position, then drive thru/over an air hose that will activate a piston/rod that will unlatch gate and let gravity hinges close gate. I have the hinges, just trying to figure out the air hose piston set-up... thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

Hmmmm. Never thought of doing that. Would seem to take a lot of maintenance. But maybe not.

My uncle built a latch mechanism mounted on the center of his gates that when "tapped" with the front bumper of the tractor would unlatch the gate and then it would swing open. The way it was hung on the hinges would cause it to gently swing shut behind him and relatch. Might be less maintenance in the long run???

Either way, post your design when you've got it up and running. Love seeing new ideas.

 

[PILOON]

If you have electricity at the gate an air hose that activates a micro switch could then use a power source to close it.

Think along the lines of what service stations used to use to let the attendant know that a car was at the gas pumps.
When the vehicle rolls over the hose a small pressure causes the micro switch to close the circuit and activate the power needed.

 

[Wagtail]

Playing 'devil's advocate': I can see two potential problems;

1) What happens if the wind that day prevents the gate from swinging back, either fully or with insufficient force to properly shut? And,

2) The gate closing at an un-controlled speed/momentum will cause constant and cumulative vibration/stress on the hinges & latching mechanism.

 

[ugabulldog]

Hmmmm. Never thought of doing that. Would seem to take a lot of maintenance. But maybe not.

My uncle built a latch mechanism mounted on the center of his gates that when "tapped" with the front bumper of the tractor would unlatch the gate and then it would swing open. The way it was hung on the hinges would cause it to gently swing shut behind him and relatch. Might be less maintenance in the long run???

Either way, post your design when you've got it up and running. Love seeing new ideas.

I have thought about this, but driveway goes uphill, so gate can only swing one direction

Playing 'devil's advocate': I can see two potential problems;

1) What happens if the wind that day prevents the gate from swinging back, either fully or with insufficient force to properly shut? And,

2) The gate closing at an un-controlled speed/momentum will cause constant and cumulative vibration/stress on the hinges & latching mechanism.

Gate wheel will come in contact with ground slowing gate down some..... Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[CDennyRun]

I like the idea! Like stated above, wind could be an issue, but what the heck. If it works 80% of the time, it's better than nothing.

Bimba makes a cylinder that would work great for you: model number 091, single acting spring retracted with small ID/OD, 1" stroke, and easy mounting. I would go with a 1" wear resistant air line, and reed valve on the closed end to allow air flow back in, as the hose retracts to its normal diameter after being squished.

Sounds like fun!

Chris

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

How about a small solar cell to power a microswitch and solenoid to move the latch mechanism?

 

[CDennyRun]

How about a small solar cell to power a microswitch and solenoid to move the latch mechanism?

Any ideas for activation? Like a through beam with reflector? Kinda like a garage door safety sensor. I'm sure they offer them in 12v. Most of them are 110V or 24V.

 

[boggen]

air hose is not filled with actual "air" it is completely full of "fluid" most likely some sort of antifreeze / water mixture. perhaps RV antifreeze. fluid is not compressible, air is. big difference.

**see attach diagram to go with below text**

you will most likely need some sort of bleeder valve on both ends of the hose... to bleed out as much air as possible.

the metal pipe, with push rod = a really small little hydraulic cylinder in all idea.

===========
in pond plumbing. you can DIY what is known as a "stand pipe" it works as an on/off valve.
--1. you dremal / sand the outside of a pipe just a little bit down. so it slides easily in/out of the fitting ((most plastic fittings have a angle / taper to them, hence slight sanding to end of pipe))
--2. you put a little "cutting disc" onto dremal or into drill. and put a 2 groves on end of pipe. so both groves are within the fitting when you push pipe into the fitting. the grove does not need to be that deep. just a little grove. enough to hold a 0-ring.
--3. 0-ring rubber pickup at most hardware stores most likely comes in some sort of package with other 0-rings. you want it a little bit tight. TIP: add some vasaline of all things to end of pipe and 0-ring and should roll / slip on fairly easily and at same time give some lubrication.
note: the stand pipe is not a perfect on/off valve. they can slightly drip a little bit of water. at least mine have. though i hacked away at them. not caring much about leakage.

============
OK BLAH BLAH BLAH above... change it up for you....
---see if you can find a metal rod that fits nearly perfectly inside of a pipe (rod just a little smaller than inside of pipe.. talking some were in 1/2" rod diameter maybe slightly bigger to make it easier to deal with 0-rings. within reason. ((never done it before, so just guessing at rod diameter.))
---put a couple groves on end of rod, and slip on a couple o-rings. smear some vasaline on. 0-rings to keep them rubber and keep them from drying out, you have a hydraulic cylinder, now.
---attach bottom of pipe to air hose filled with a fluid..
---place rod just below latch, that i can push up. most likely 1/4" difference if that. that the rod might move. might need some sort of lever action. to change 1/4" movement to say 1" movement.


--some were add a Tee (plumbing piece) toss on a valve, and make it so you can easily use a "funnel" to fill things up with water. and bleed air out of the hose. a couple reducers going from say 1/2" up to 3" pipe. can make for a nice DIY funnel built into things.

NOTE: you may need concrete / pavement. or something smooth vs rock/mud for air hose filled with a fluid to work. rock /mud may let the air hose sink down into mud/rock.
NOTE: a larger inside diameter air hose. will cause the DIY hyd cylinder rod to move more up/down.
NOTE: a smaller diameter rod for the DIY cylinder will cause the DIY hyd cylinder rod to move more up/down

================
EDIT: gogole searched for... miniature hydraulic cylinder
and got this for $5.99 SMC Type CDJ2D10 15 Mini Pneumatic Cylinder Double Acting Double Clevis Style | eBay not sure if it would work (did not look close to specs) but for 6 bucks... *shrugs*

 

[bcp]

You might find the parts you need here:

"Ding-Ding" - Milton's Bells | Official Site |Driveway Bells | Complete kits | Wireless Kits |

Bruce