For either balloon sculptors or physics students

Do you guys know how a 2 way pump or dual action air pump works?

It's basically used for pumping balloons (for balloon modelling) and the special thing is whether you pull back or push in the piston, air still comes out of the nozzle, making the 2 way pump twice as fast in a one way pump.

Anyone can explain the mechanism to me?

Thanks!

- harapan ong

Ok, let me try.

In the pump, there are 2 "one way valves" (I think this is the best word I can think of now to describe this part). These 2 valves are in opposite direction of each other. When the pump is in action, one of them will suck air in and at the same time the other will stop air from escaping.

When you pull or push the piston, air has to escape from the pump. So the air has to escape either from the nozzle of the pump on the bottom of the pump. The one way valves will stop the air from escaping from the end and thus enabling the pump to work.

A pump will stop working once these valves are faulty as air will just escape at the opposite end.

I hope you get what I'm trying to say.

"Valves" reminds me of biology (human heart and stuff)...

I used to be pretty interested in balloons til my pump broke. I might have been using it wrongly. :ph43r: The whole thing just fell apart.

That was my second pump that year. And yes, they were 2-ways pumps. :P

It's wierd... some hand pumps fall apart right away and other last forever. I've been using the same T. Myers 2-way hand pump for many years and it keep on going. I had a Qualitex hand pump and it lasted a month. Aside from the color they looked and cost(ed) :) about the same. Regardless, if you use a hand pump (and if you need a pump) you should always carry two.

Bob

My T-myers pump has been with me for many years now. The purple Qualatex pump is ok too. I've been using the red Qualatex pump and its working fine too. Maybe I'm lucky.

When I started a few years ago, I had my pump broke during my gig. Luckily it was near the end of the gig, so I agree with Bob, its always wise to carry 2 pumps.

My two-way pump broke not once -- but twice.
My qualatex one works quite well up till now.
Hopefully this won't break too easily.. <_<

Oops, :off:

I believe Magicdow is right in describing the working of the 2-way pump.
And 'one way valve' is the right term. :)

A. :g:

Train the lungs! wahaha. you wouldnt need another pump after that! (unless you'd have to do a couple lo hundred of them) :)

I don't think you should blow up a balloon. It has that kind of chemical powder coating, although it is harmless, it should be in some way either bad tasting or bad for health.

- harapan ong

Sorry if this is a little :off: but once I tried blowing a cheap balloon with my mouth and...

1) My mouth was stained with the balloon's colour.

2) So were my hands.

3) The balloon burst halfway.

and ever since then, I've never had a balloon touch my mouth. (unless I'm swallowing it, zzz.)