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The Hydraulic Ram Pump
Invented in the 18th century, and with only two moving parts, the hydraulic ram pump is a simple but highly effective device for pumping water. With no need for electricity to generate power, at one time the ram pump was used extensively. Today, however, it has nearly been forgotten.
The ram pump’s basic design utilizes the force of falling water to elevate water within its systems of pipes. Water flows down the drive pipe into the compression chamber and escapes through a waste valve. When the velocity of the flowing water reaches a certain level the water’s velocity forces the valve to close. With the valve closed the water stops flowing and is compressed. This results in a compression wave (shock wave) that emanates from the area of the valve.
With the waste valve closed water in the drive line reverses direction until the shock wave reaches air. In the output line, high pressure at least fifty times the static water pressure of the compression chamber surges through the check valve creating relatively low within the compression chamber. The low pressure within the compression chamber, which is equal and opposite of the compression wave, immediately opens the waste valve, and the process of flowing water begins again.
A ‘stand pipe’ can be placed in the drive pipe to aid in the compression wave reaching air thereby quickening the water flowing back into the compression chamber. The stand pipe, usually twice the diameter of the drive pipe, allows for the highest possible cycling rate.
Most hydraulic ram pumps are free standing with the majority of their parts being exposed above ground. A specialized application of this system is built the lines underground.
Since the stand pipe and waste valve need an exit, a line may be extended from the compression chamber to a location open to air. This allows for the bulk of the pump lines to be centrally located, and has an interesting side effect. The compression wave is focused in the line leading to the compression chamber and transmits a pulse through the compression chamber’s ceiling.
Constructing a ram pump underground requires lengthening the compression chamber to allow for waste water output.
The output line is placed on the ceiling of the compression chamber to automatically remove air from the chamber.
The line from the waste valve to compression chamber acts as a wave guide, effectively focusing the shock wave into a
pulse. Thus, the pulse impacts the compression chamber’s ceiling effectively transmitting part of the shock wave
vertically and reflecting part of the pulse down the waste valve line.
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Standard Hydraulic 'Ram' Pump
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The basic hydraulic ram pump has water running from the elevated water source to the compression
chamber. A valve in the compression chamber allows water to flow out until the velocity forces the
valve shut. The valve shutting causes a high pressure spike that forces water past the check valve
and through the output line. The waste valve reopens and once again allows water to flow down the
pipe. The stand pipe affects the cycle rate by creating a shortcut for the reverse surge.
Hydraulic 'Ram' Pump Constructed Underground
(Design by John Cadman, Patent Pending)
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