GB2027129A

GB2027129A - Submerged Pressure Operated Hydraulic Ram

Info

Publication number: GB2027129A
Application number: GB7830601A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-20
Filing date: 1978-07-20
Publication date: 1980-02-13

Abstract

The hydraulic ram pump is self operating. It can be started by pushing the piston 1 down by means of a rod fitted through the air vessel 2 in air- tight glands and reaching up beyond surface level. The water so displaced by the piston would escape through a valve in the drive pipe or through the delivery pipe valve. The longer the drive pipe is, then the longer the column of water available for "ramming". Full use is made of the natural incompressibility of water. The bore of the delivery pipe should be at least half of that of the drive pipe. The use of flexible piping may be considered, provided no plastic, rubber or soft metal inserts are used, to facilitate optional positioning of pipe direction. The upper piston stop 2 takes full ram shock. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Submerged Pressure Operated Hydraulic Ram This apparatus is used submerged and utilises the natural pressure of water at varying depths. In order to obviate back pressure, a piston is used instead of a flap or mushroom valve (4). The back pressure is eliminated by attaching a vessel behind the piston containing compressed air (A2) at a predetermined pressure and variable, a float may also be added in conjunction with this vessel to assist the return of the piston (1). This apparatus can be tested and adjusted out of the water by filling the drive pipe from a continucusly running source.

Operation The piston is driven back by the drive pipe water to the stops (2) whereby a "ram" effect is obtained (as in a normal Montgolfier ram) causing the water to find an outlet up the delivery pipe, so opening another valve (4) which in turn operates, by a rocking lever (3) or other method, the piston (1) in the drive pipe bringing it forward (with the assistance of the compressed air contained in vessel 2 attached) thus the pumping action is commenced in this manner.

The engine differs from that invented by Montgolfier in that the outlet valve on the drive pipe is replaced by a piston which, in turn, is isolated from the back pressure of deep water by the vessel of compressed air which only assists the return of the piston to the forward stop position after the "ramming" effect is achieved, aided by the movement of the delivery pipe valve lever.

I claim that with proper adjustment and trial and error e.g. varying the area of the delivery pipe valve (4) to give greater leverage to the drive pipe piston, or raising or lowering the compressed air pressure in vessel A2, this engine will operate successfully and may even be used as an underwater propulsion unit utilising the natural depth pressure of the water.

A diagram is attached. The design can be varied and is very open for further improvement and development and will not prove expensive if manufactured by competent hydraulic engineers.

Simplicity, conservation and low development and maintenance costs are the prime attributes of this engine and, of course, no fuel is necessary.

Notes 1. The piston (1) must be absolutely watertightm, as no water must enter the vessel A2.

2. The diameter of the drive pipe immediately in front of the piston should be slightly reduced so that the velocity of the drive-water may be high.

3. It may be found that the air in Al can be passed to A2 so further simplifying operation.

4. If the construction can be strong yet lightweight it should be possible to use the jet flow of the delivery pipe as a propulsion meduim for the whole unit.

5. If the area of the mushroom or poppet valve (4) is increased more leverage can be obtained in order to move the piston (1) downward against the "water-hammer" pressure and which is already assisted by the compressed air in vessel A2 but this increase must apply to the valve area (4) only and not to the delivery pipe (9) which is of a predetermined proportionately smaller diameter than that of the drive pipe (8) the aim being to cause generous movement of valve (4) and piston (1).

6. The linkage between these two moving parts can be further improved but is basicaily simple and reliable and must be of very strong construction leverage variable.

7. The valve (4) can be allowed a little play or movement on opening upward before engaging the lever assisting the piston (1).

Special Note 8. In the Montgolfier hydraulic ram, date approximately 1780, the outer valve, which the piston on my design replaces, returns to an "open" position of it's own accord after "ramming" occurs even against drive-water pressure see sketch.

Claims

1. This apparatus is designed to operate submerged, the power being derived from the natural pressure present and can be used to drive the water to a higher level.

2. The pump is trouble-free, simple to operate and economical to maintain.

3. An increase in the depth of the ram will make available greater power which can only be limited by the strength of the material used.

4. The ram pump operates by using the "hammer" effect of a moving column of water, this column being brought to a sudden halt, thus creating a pressure wave within the column which forces water up the delivery pipe via a mushroom or similar valve.

5. Several rams can be used to raise water to a higher level or pump it to a distant point. Water at this level can be seen as an accumulation of power reserve for flat areas. A height range in excess of two hundred feet should be possible.

6. If the ram is built as an independent and movable unit, the jet of water from the delivery valve may be used to drive the whole unitat will beneath the surface, being attached to a floating or submerged vessel.

7. The submerged pressure operated hydraulic ram is based on that devised by Montgolfier circa 1780, this latter being quite common in rural areas, needing only a small stream to operate successfully.

The parts of the ram are numbered on the drawing as follows:- 1. Piston.

2. Delivery pipe valve.

3. Drive pipe.

4. Delivery pipe.

5. Air vessel (air pressure variable).

.6,7,8,9 Overhead valve support, overhead

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Submerged Pressure Operated Hydraulic Ram This apparatus is used submerged and utilises the natural pressure of water at varying depths. In order to obviate back pressure, a piston is used instead of a flap or mushroom valve (4). The back pressure is eliminated by attaching a vessel behind the piston containing compressed air (A2) at a predetermined pressure and variable, a float may also be added in conjunction with this vessel to assist the return of the piston (1). This apparatus can be tested and adjusted out of the water by filling the drive pipe from a continucusly running source. Operation The piston is driven back by the drive pipe water to the stops (2) whereby a "ram" effect is obtained (as in a normal Montgolfier ram) causing the water to find an outlet up the delivery pipe, so opening another valve (4) which in turn operates, by a rocking lever (3) or other method, the piston (1) in the drive pipe bringing it forward (with the assistance of the compressed air contained in vessel 2 attached) thus the pumping action is commenced in this manner. The engine differs from that invented by Montgolfier in that the outlet valve on the drive pipe is replaced by a piston which, in turn, is isolated from the back pressure of deep water by the vessel of compressed air which only assists the return of the piston to the forward stop position after the "ramming" effect is achieved, aided by the movement of the delivery pipe valve lever. I claim that with proper adjustment and trial and error e.g. varying the area of the delivery pipe valve (4) to give greater leverage to the drive pipe piston, or raising or lowering the compressed air pressure in vessel A2, this engine will operate successfully and may even be used as an underwater propulsion unit utilising the natural depth pressure of the water. A diagram is attached. The design can be varied and is very open for further improvement and development and will not prove expensive if manufactured by competent hydraulic engineers. Simplicity, conservation and low development and maintenance costs are the prime attributes of this engine and, of course, no fuel is necessary. Notes

1. The piston (1) must be absolutely watertightm, as no water must enter the vessel A2.

Special Note

8. In the Montgolfier hydraulic ram, date approximately 1780, the outer valve, which the piston on my design replaces, returns to an "open" position of it's own accord after "ramming" occurs even against drive-water pressure see sketch.

Claims

2. The pump is trouble-free, simple to operate and economical to maintain.

The parts of the ram are numbered on the drawing as follows:-

1. Piston.

2. Delivery pipe valve.

3. Drive pipe.

4. Delivery pipe.

5. Air vessel (air pressure variable).

.6,7,8,

9 Overhead valve support, overhead valve rocker arm, delivery pipe valve rod, piston actuating rod. All these are optional as it is assumed that the ram will operate successfully without these additions.

10. Upper piston stop.

11. Lower piston stop.

12. Chest.

13. Cushioning air vessel. This can be replenished by air taken from a snifter valve positioned just above the delivery pipe valve and fed from a pipe reaching above surface level.