 |
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
|
|
screw
 |
A simple screw jack comprises a rod in which a square screw thread has been cut, a base plate in which this can rotate, and a block (or nut) through which the screw thread runs. The block is shaped so that it hooks on the underside of the car. When the screw is rotated by means of the rod that passes through a hole in the screw, the block is slowly raised or lowered.
A screw thread is spiral cut made in the rod so that the screw may be regarded as a spiral inclined plane. For each complete turn of the screw it advances the same distance. This distance is the pitch of the screw, which can also be found by measuring along the length of the screw the distance between two adjacent ridges of the thread. The screw of a screw jack with a diameter of 3/4 in. may have six threads to the inch, so the pitch of of the thread is 1/6 in. Thus for every one complete revolution of the rod the lifting block moves 1/6 in. up or down.
The velocity ratio of any machine is found by dividing the distance (e) through which the effort moves by the distance (l) through which the load is raised. If the rod is a little over 6 in. in length it will trace out a circle of radius 6 in. for each complete revolution. The circumference of this circle is about 37.7 in., so that the load is raised 1/6 in. for every 37.7 in. that the effort moves. The velocity ratio of the screw jack = e/l = 37.7/(1/6) = 226.
Even if the thread of the screw is kept clean and is well greased, there is still likely to be considerable friction between the screw and both the lifting block and the base plate. Thus a load of 2000 N could be lifted by a 8.8 N effort if there were no friction. But in practice the effort would be three to four times greater than this.
On account of the large frictional forces between the screw and the block, the load cannot "unscrew" itself and run back under its own weight. This means that devices incorporating screws can be used not only for squeezing things in clamps but also to keep them in a state of compression. Screw presses and clamps are used for this purpose, for example, by carpenters when they are gluing joints. Likewise, objects can be held firmly in place in a bench vise by the clamping action of the screw thread it incorporates.
Related categories
• CLASSICAL MECHANICS
• TECHNOLOGY
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History
Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site)