The ball float shown in the illustration is 9 inches in diameter, with an effective float arm of 27 inches and floats in a liquid with a specific gravity of 1.0. If the distance "L" equals 9 inches, what will be the force available at point "X"? See illustration GS-0158.
• Use the chart to find available operating force from the float ball for a 9-inch ball in liquid with specific gravity 1.0. • Convert that force into torque at the pivot using the effective float arm (27 inches). • Use moment (torque) balance to find the force at point X using the given distance L = 9 inches.
• On the chart, where do the lines for 9-inch ball diameter and specific gravity 1.0 intersect, and what force (in pounds) does that correspond to on the horizontal axis? • Once you know the force from the float ball, how do you calculate the torque about the pivot, and how does that same torque relate to the unknown force at point X with a shorter arm? • Is the force at point X expected to be greater or smaller than the float ball force, given that the arm to X (9 inches) is shorter than the effective float arm (27 inches)? Why?
• Be sure you are reading the correct sloping line for 9-inch diameter on the chart, not a nearby size. • Confirm that you use consistent units in inches and pounds when computing torque: Torque = Force × Arm length (inches). • Verify that you set torque from float side equal to torque at X: (Float force × 27 in) = (Force at X × 9 in), and then solve for the unknown force before picking an answer.
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