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.
Still water is not
easily accessible
by many people
around the globe.
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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
Finalized Design
Outlet hose
Slanting Pipe (inlet)
“Check” Valve
Water Collector
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On/Off tap
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
Slanting Pipe
Cavity
Tap
“Check” valve
“Delivery” valve
Pressure Chamber
Pressure Gauge
Delivery Outlet
Tread Seal Tape
Material
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyvinyl Chloride
Brass
Cast and machined Brass
Cast and machined Brass
Polyvinyl Chloride
Brass
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polytetra fluorothylene
Estimated Cost
USD 15$ (50 meter)
USD 3$
USD 2$
USD 2$
USD 2$
USD 3$
USD 5$
USD 15$(50 meter)
USD 1$
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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