Pneumatic pinch valve, 1/2″ version

Published on 11/27/2008 in Homebrewing. 2 Comments

After successful testing of my prototype pneumatic pinch valve with a 3/8″ bore, I proceeded to design an improved version with a full 1/2″ bore. This version uses silicone tubing instead of latex, which I believe will not contribute any off-flavours, and will not break down eventually as latex tubing is prone to do. In addition, it also has pipe-thread connections for inlet and outlet so it can be plumbed into a system easily, but can be removed if necessary.

See my page here on how it was constructed.

Pneumatic pinch valve

Published on 11/25/2008 in Homebrewing. 2 Comments

In a previous post, I wrote about an experiment at building a solenoid pinch-valve, as an inexpensive alternative to the exorbitantly-priced solenoid valves commonly used in automated homebrewing systems. That attempt was a failure, not even able to seal against 5psi pressure.

I have since attempted another approach: a pneumatic pinch valve. The idea here is that the fluid is carried through a length of flexible tubing, and that flexible tubing is run through a rigid jacket that can be pressurized with air (or another gas or fluid). If the control pressure is high enough, it will squeeze the flexible tubing shut, and pinch off the flow of the fluid.

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Homebrewing pages updated

Published on 10/31/2008 in Homebrewing and Site Updates. 2 Comments

I’ve done some more work on my brewing gear, updated a few of my old construction pages, and added a couple new ones.

Converted more kegs into brewing vessels. I used a new welding company, Grand Valley Specialty Welding, who did much nicer work than the last guy. Also added a glass sight gauge to the hot liquor tank.

Updated pages:

New pages:

Old memories, trapped in 126 film cartridges – Part 2

Published on 10/21/2008 in General. 0 Comments

Part 1

I got the processed films back from Film Rescue, quite a long time ago now. They didn’t really rock my world, I’m afraid.

I finally got around to uploading the images to my home photo gallery, here.

Large Hadron Collider

Published on 9/9/2008 in Funny and Tech. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The world’s most powerful particle-accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, is scheduled to be switched on for the first time tomorrow. There are assorted kooks who believe that the LHC will destroy the world in one or more of the following ways:

The whole thing is reminiscent of the fear many years ago that the first atomic bomb test would burn the entire atmosphere of the planet.

There another possibility that the kooks don’t seem to have considered. The LHC may open a gateway to a parallel universe full of evil creatures.

In the background... isn't that Dr. Gordon Freeman of the disastrous Black Mesa project?

In the background... isn't that Dr. Gordon Freeman of the disastrous Black Mesa project?

Here is a page with some really amazing pictures of the LHC under construction.

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