mistermack wrote:The reason I wondered if they used air was that I was couldn't see how they didn't wreck the pump, without any give in the system from the incompressible water. I imagine that the flexible hose must provide just enough elasticity to smooth out the forces.
Actually, entraining air in the water stream is harmful to the pump, as it can cause cavitation and reduce lubrication, which the water provides.
The pulse issue is indeed dealt with by the hose. When the sprayer valve is off, there's a bypass circuit that recirculates water around the pump, but prolonged operation without flow can cause the water to heat up, boil, and cause cavitation.
Somebody predicted that collapsing air-bubbles in water can reach instantaneous temperatures exceeding 4000 degrees f. I'm not sure I understand or believe it, but they say that's what causes cavitation damage to speedboat propellers, if cavitation starts, the air bubbles actual melt the metal of the prop away, and can completely destroy a prop.
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