Linear PVC Hydraulic Ram Pump

This is a recent version of a PVC ram pump that I first developed in about 1991. It is very low profile to avoid damage during high water, and can run under water 24/7 since the air is separated from the water in the air chamber - no need for a snifter valve. This pump can raise water to a height at least 15 times the fall (drive head). Of course, the output tapers off the higher you pump. All of the components are very simple and inexpensive but have proven themselves over millions of cycles. This particular installation is to feed two slow sand filters under test in the house in the background. (See my other Ram Pump video for the updated version of this pump)

http://www.appro-tec.com

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Hydraulic
• ram
• pump
• hydram
• thump
• impulse
• appropriate
• technology
• AT
• bomba
• de
• ariete
• water

[gamesbok]

TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) had a ram pump at his cottage at Cloud's End in Dorset in the 1930s. I believe there is a British patent from the 1860s.

[approtechie]

@gamesbok Yes, there have been British patents on it since 1797 and Green & Carter have held the original patent since 1929. They make the Vulcan ram pump. Montgolfier was the inventor of the first automatic ram pump.

[gamesbok]

@approtechie Thanks for the information. I'm very curious about this technology. Where can I learn more?

[approtechie]

@gamesbok The Development Technology Unit (DTU) at the University of Warwick in England has done a lot of work on ram pumps and published a free downloadable document summarizing their findings. You'll find some good rule of thumb guides for building the pumps and learn from their experience. Otherwise, there is a ton of information and videos on the web, just Google it. Back in the early '90's I researched all the existing versions around the world that had been published and there were a lot.

[LiquidChem]

i made a really nice pump that pumps water downhill, its made of only a garden hose. works like a charm.

[approtechie]

@LiquidChem Gravity is a wonderful thing, isn't it? The ram pump actually works by gravity as well but has the distinct advantage over your system of pumping UPhill. :-)

[kiwicoote]

What is happening here is that the water builds up speed coming down the pipe. As the flow increases it pushes on the weighted valve and causes it to slam shut. This creates an instantaneous rise in pressure which forces water through a non-return valve and out the exit hose. The pressure behind the clack valve then drops, allowing it to open again and the cycle starts once more. These pumps work using 'water hammer', and they can pump a little bit of water a long way... for free.

[SachaAtkinson]

are you going to share the internal design with us DIY folks?

[gamesbok]

@approtechie Excellent. Thanks for the information.

[bigjohn20081983]

i would love to see a video of how to make this

[kiwicoote]

Fantastic. I've made ram pumps myself. The trickiest part to get right is the clack valve. I made my own clack valves, and for an air chamber I used plastic soda bottles. I like the look of what you've done. Thanks for posting.