Innovativeness in Engineering Design

GEK1523T

Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Assignment 2

Prepared for: Associate Professor Mr Lai Man On

Prepared by: Kyaw Soe Hein (A0103612)

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Introduction

The privilege of living comfortable life is deserved to every human being. Yet, this design project will be definitely offer the noble support to people in third world country where electricity and making both ends meet is hard to come by. As many of us would notice, transporting water from one place to another- especially in hilly terrains. This would become hardest part of daily life which hinders the quality fulfilling lives of many. One could favourably argue that water is life source; however, it is pitiful that less fortunate people of economical poor regions have to carry buckets of water physically for their families’ use. Therefore, it would be nice to have the solution to this problem. No more physical strains and precious time wasted for transporting water would be hard to dream previously. Taking on favourable thoughts, hereby the project team proposes the design of the device which will transport water from one to another using only gravity – no fuel or electricity and even no physical efforts. And, the price would be right for almost all of the people with less fortune.

With all careful considerations, the team would propose the design of “Gravity Ram Pump”. Here, in this project, it will be presented with principle of workability, restrictions of design and as well as cost consideration because it is meant for third world countries. Needless to say, this device will be desired by market and it is an answer for pain taking riddle of many lives.

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

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Still water is not easily accessible by many people around the globe.

Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Restrictions on Design

As part of every design process, it is inevitable that restrictions have come across on design. It would be so impractical to state that the proposed device is compatible with any terrain, water sources, and regions of markets. Since it is aimed for third world countries, cost is the main consideration and sadly, it is unfair to compare the efficiency of the device with other fuel/electricity driven pumps which are easily available in market. Below are the areas of restrictions of device when the team was proceeding with design.

Geographic

The terrain should be seated in a way that the water supply should not be in the same level with the pump placement. Having said that the preferred location of the pump implanted would be vertically below water source. Water flows from high region to low region due to “Gravity”. Therefore, momentum gain of water is needed for this design and transporting the water by this pump would only be possible where water is flowing into pump with kinetic.

However, there is possibility of placing pump right on the bed of water stream if the current is strong enough to supply pressure into the pump. The continuous strong current of water is desired where the option of placing the pump vertically below water source is not permitted.

Electricity/Fuel

The design could only be based on manual or nature – meaning that no electricity or no fuel driven generator to drive the pump to transport water. The electricity in country sides is not available at all and using fuel driven generator will be financial burden. Therefore, the design have to restrict to nature where in this project, the gravity is applied.

Simplicity of operation

As people from third world countries will not be familiar with advanced or complicated operating procedure, the operating of the device should be as simple as one could possibly thought. Installing issue would also have to take into considerations where tools and technical competency is limited.

Cost

This is the most catching point in designing the gravity pump. Expensive materials and accessories are strongly prohibited. The aiming market for this device is not world class spending markets. As a matter of fact, the cheaper the device, the better chance that people would have chance to use this device and ease their water problem.

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Principle of Design

The design of “Gravity Ram Pump” is based on “gravity” where potential difference does the job – the water from the source (upper level) will flow to the pump (lower level). Then, the potential energy will in term transport the water from the pump (lower level) to designed place (higher level).

In terms of construction, the materials used will be scraps or anything that could be found easily in the neighbourhood. This will definitely help to recycle those materials which are no longer in use.

Design Process

Hence, the very first concept of the “Gravity Ram Pump” design is to gain potential energy – flowing of water from higher level to lower level. Therefore, the slanting pipe would be useful for this action. The slanting pipe will conduct the water into the pump’s cavity.

Water Flowing On/Off Tap Water Source

Slanting Pipe

Cavity

After water flows into the cavity, it is necessary to create pressure effect which will give “kick” to water to flow to designated area. Therefore, the cavity must be contained or closed when its volume is filled up. This could be easily implemented by the “Check” valve. In other words, the water from slanting pipe will comes in; “Check” valve closed and filled up the cavity, thus creating high pressure in the cavity.

Slanting Pipe

“Check” Valve

Cavity

Water Collector

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Check valve Closed

Pressure Region

“Check” Valve

Water Collector

Again, the high pressure at the cavity itself will not have enough “kick” to transport water to intended destination. Therefore, it is necessary to create another pressure which is strong enough to push the water to designed area. Here comes the design of simple “Pressure Chamber” with an outlet at the base of it.

Water flowing in pressure chamber

Pressure Chamber

“Delivery” Valve

Outlet hose

Pressure Region

“Check” Valve

Water Collector

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Delivery Valve Closed- creating high pressure due to air trapped

Hammering effect & Water is being transported through outlet

Air trapped Pressure Chamber

“Delivery” Valve

Outlet hose

Pressure Region

“Check” Valve

Water Collector

The water filled cavity’s pressure will make the “Delivery” valve at the entrance of pressure chamber opened. Then, water flows into the pressure chamber filling up to the extent that the air in the pressure chamber is trapped at the top of it while making the “Delivery” valve closed. When the pressure of air becomes very high, it will have a hammering effect that water will be kick off all the way back- making its way into an outlet from where water goes to desired destination. And, the whole process mentioned above will be reoccurring all the time. Finally, as part of safety reason, pressure gauge is installed at the point of pressure chamber to outlet hose. And, there goes the finalized design of the “Gravity Ram Pump”.

Pressure gauge (monitor pressure)

Pressure Chamber

“Delivery” Valve

Outlet hose

Slanting Pipe (inlet)

“Check” Valve On/Off tap

Water Collector

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Finalized

Design

Innovativeness in Engineering Design

However, it would make an important point that the outlet pipe should be small in diameter so that water could travel further. As well as, the size of the cavity, diameter and height of the pressure chamber will decide the performance of the pump. Perfect co-relations between them will benefits pressure creating process and make the job done.

Overall, it was simple design and all one has to do is that control the “On/Off” tap at the slanting pipe. And the concept and design of the device will encourage for its popular usage for most of the people and it is totally free energy and important of all, no more physical strains.

Materials & Cost Analysis

This will be best if materials used are cheap and easily available around residential area. Setting up will not be also pains-taking process as all parts could be fixed easily and no special skill set is required. Namely, the parts can be broken down into following:

Part Name Material Estimated CostSlanting Pipe Polyvinyl Chloride USD 15$ (50 meter)Cavity Polyvinyl Chloride USD 3$Tap Brass USD 2$“Check” valve Cast and machined Brass USD 2$“Delivery” valve Cast and machined Brass USD 2$Pressure Chamber Polyvinyl Chloride USD 3$Pressure Gauge Brass USD 5$Delivery Outlet Polyvinyl Chloride USD 15$(50 meter)Tread Seal Tape  Polytetra fluorothylene USD 1$

Total : USD 48$

The above list is prepared in a way that all the parts are factory made and they are up to standard markets grade. Therefore, there is high probability of reducing the price further more.

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

Conclusion

Fig. Idea of transporting water uphill without human physical effort

All in all, the design team proposed that Asia region would be main target due to its hilly terrain and water supply source is not scarce. Especially for the third world counties development projects, this device could be sold as a part of the whole rather than itself alone. Positively thinking, the device is cheap in cost and high in performance. Although there are restrictions in design and downsides as well as weak points, this will definitely benefit and change the ways of lives it used to be. The price of the device would also be strong point to stand out in the market and it would definitely be acquired by third world counties.

Moreover, those people who used to carry water buckets up and down the hill would definitely be in thanks. Making a stand that this project is not only intended for business purpose but as well as, it emphasizes on sympathy and heart-warming efforts to those less fortunate people out there.

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Innovativeness in Engineering Design

References

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wG7o8ic_OQ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_ram

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWqDurunnK8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride

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