Hydro-Powered Water Distribution System with Hydraulic Ram Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydro-powered water distribution systems are inefficient and require an electrical supply, making them costly and inconvenient, especially in remote areas, and they struggle to maintain consistent pressure for effective water treatment.
Innovation Solution
A hydro-powered water distribution system that includes a collection tank, a fluid pressure amplifier with a resilient obturator member, a level sensor, and a hydraulically-operated control valve to manage water flow efficiently without an electrical supply, using a momentum enhancement chamber and screening filters to optimize water treatment and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an electric pump is used to redistribute stored water, then water can be distributed to points of use, but electricity supply is required which increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric pump system with a hydraulic ram pump that uses water hammer effect and gravity-driven flow to achieve water distribution. The system uses the kinetic energy of incoming water to operate the pump mechanism, eliminating the need for external electric power supply while maintaining water redistribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic ram pump is self-powered by the water flow itself. The system uses the incoming water's own kinetic energy and the height difference (head) to drive the pumping action, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external energy input.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional ram pumps are used, then water can be pumped without electricity, but they require outlet head at least twice the inlet head and cease to operate when outlet head approaches inlet head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a variable geometry diffuser that can adjust its angle dynamically. This allows the pump to adapt to different outlet head conditions, maintaining efficient operation across a broader range of operating conditions including scenarios where outlet head is closer to inlet head than traditional designs require.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the diffuser section based on operating conditions. By adjusting the diffuser angle and other geometric parameters, the pump can optimize its performance for different head ratios, expanding its operational versatility while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If air bleed accumulator is used in traditional ram pumps, then cyclic shock is reduced and performance is improved, but air is continually absorbed into water requiring constant overcharging and systems are prone to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air bleed accumulator component from the system entirely. Instead of using air compression to dampen shocks, the design relies on the hydraulic characteristics of the variable geometry diffuser and the water hammer effect management to reduce cyclic shock without requiring air charging infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable geometry diffuser acts as an intermediary element that manages pressure fluctuations and cyclic shock through its geometric design. It provides shock absorption and flow stabilization through its hydraulic structure rather than requiring a separate air-based damping system.
4Reliability
If water treatment is incorporated to reduce bacteria and viruses, then water safety is improved, but constant water pressure is required to operate safely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the hydraulic ram pump system to provide continuous or near-continuous operation with steady flow output. The pump's operation mode and the diffuser design work together to maintain consistent pressure levels, ensuring that water treatment systems receiving the pressurized water can operate safely and effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high efficiency in water recovery and distribution, capable of recovering and re-distributing at least 60% of available grey water using hydraulic power only, with reduced maintenance and energy consumption, while ensuring consistent pressure for effective water treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Ram pumps which operate on the water hammer principle are well known
Implementation Method 2
said fluid pressure amplifier containing a resilient obturator member
Implementation Method 3
a level sensor which includes a float which is arranged to operate a hydraulic distributor valve
Data Source
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AI summary
A water distribution system comprising a hydraulically-operated pump (34) mounted in a distribution housing (30) to receive water from a collection tank (4), located at a higher level than the pump, via a momentum enhancement chamber (22). The preferred form of pump is a fluid pressure amplifier containing a resilient obturator member and having an exhaust outlet and a delivery outlet provided with a venturi valve. A level sensor (22) mounted within the collection tank (4) provides a hydraulic output signal to a control valve (35) in response to a fall in water level within the collection tank closing therefore the exhaust outlet and turning off the pump.