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Physics in Action--The Science behind the Operation of Vacuum Hoists

Vacuum hoists are useful industrial machines that allow operators to lift, move, and manipulate heavy and awkward loads in environments that are not amenable to the use of overhead chain or cable hoists or forklifts. Vacuum hoists use the physical principles of air pressure and buoyancy to attach to and move heavy loads. Surprisingly, the physical principles behind the operation of vacuum hoists are the same one that enables airplanes to lift into the air and stay airborne.

The key term to understand when exploring the operation of vacuum hoists is that of a pressure differential. This means that when the pressure on one side of an object is greater than on the other side, there will be a net force acting the direction of the high pressure region to the lower pressure region.

We see this principle every day when we observe a hot air balloon (higher pressure near the ground pushes the balloon higher where the pressure is lower) or go swimming (higher pressure at the bottom of the pool helps propel the swimmer upwards). The airplane wing is designed to create a pressure differential between the bottom and top of the wing which provides the lift.

Vacuum hoists utilize this technique to lower the pressure at the attachment points, which means that the ambient pressure in the room pushes the object upward when the vacuum hoist moves. In this sense, a vacuum hoist does not pull the object--rather, it allows the ambient atmosphere to push the object by creating a pressure differential.

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