Suction

Suction

Suction is the flow of a fluid into a partial vacuum, or region of low pressure. The pressure gradient between this region and the ambient pressure will propel matter toward the low pressure area. Suction is popularly thought of as an attractive effect, which is incorrect since vacuums do not innately attract matter. Dust being "sucked" into a vacuum cleaner is actually being pushed in by the higher pressure air on the outside of the cleaner.

The higher pressure of the surrounding fluid can push matter into a vacuum but a vacuum cannot attract matter.

Pumps

Pumps typically have an inlet where the fluid enters the pump and an outlet where the fluid comes out. The inlet location is said to be at the suction side of the pump. The outlet location is said to be at the discharge side of the pump. Operation of the pump creates suction (a lower pressure) at the suction side so that fluid can enter the pump through the inlet. Pump operation also causes higher pressure at the discharge side by forcing the fluid out at the outlet. There may be pressure sensing devices at the pump's suction and/or discharge sides which control the operation of the pump. For example, if the suction pressure of a centrifugal pump is too low, a device may trigger the pump to shut off to keep it from running dry; i. e. with no fluid entering.

Under normal conditions of atmospheric pressure suction can draw pure water up to a maximum height of approximately 10.3 m (33.9 feet).

In medicine, suction devices are used to clear airways of materials that would impede breathing or cause infections, to aid in surgery, and for other purposes.

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Suction — Suc tion, n. [L. sugere, suctum, to suck; cf. OF. suction. See {Suck}, v. t.] The act or process of sucking; the act of drawing, as fluids, by exhausting the air. [1913 Webster] {Suction chamber}, the chamber of a pump into which the suction pipe …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • suction — [suk′shən] n. [L suctio < suctus, pp. of sugere, to SUCK] 1. the act or process of sucking 2. the production of a vacuum or partial vacuum in a cavity or over a surface so that the external atmospheric pressure forces the surrounding fluid,… …   English World dictionary

  • suction — ► NOUN ▪ the production of a partial vacuum by the removal of air in order to force fluid into a vacant space or produce adhesion. ► VERB ▪ remove using suction. ORIGIN Latin, from sugere suck …   English terms dictionary

  • suction — 1620s, from L.L. suctionem (nom. suctio), noun of action from pp. stem of L. sugere to suck (see SUCK (Cf. suck)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • suction — The act or process of sucking. SEE ALSO: aspiration (1), aspiration (2). [L. sugo, pp. suctus, to suck] posttussive s. a s. sound heard on auscultation over a pulmonary cavity at the end of a cough. Wangensteen s. a modified …   Medical dictionary

  • suction — [[t]sʌ̱kʃ(ə)n[/t]] suctions, suctioning, suctioned 1) N UNCOUNT Suction is the process by which liquids, gases, or other substances are drawn out of somewhere. Dustbags act as a filter and suction will be reduced if they are too full... If the… …   English dictionary

  • suction — n. the use of reduced pressure to remove unwanted fluids or other material through a tube for disposal. Suction is often used to clear secretions from the airways of newly born infants to aid breathing. During surgery, suction tubes are used to… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • suction — I. noun Etymology: Late Latin suction , suctio, from Latin sugere to suck more at suck Date: 1626 1. the act or process of sucking 2. a. the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid, liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • suction — suc|tion [ˈsʌkʃən] n [U] [Date: 1600 1700; : Late Latin; Origin: suctio, from Latin sugere to suck ] 1.) the process of removing air or liquid from an enclosed space so that another substance is sucked in, or so that two surfaces stick together ▪ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • suction —   Omo.     Suction cups on octopus tentacles, pikapika, āpikapika.     Suction tube, ili omo wai …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

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