----

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-.

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..-

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A Manual on the
Hydraulic Ram
for Pumping VVater
S. B. Watt

0
II

ntermediate

WhMlOgy Publications
Ltd
9 King

Street,

London

WCPE

Et-IN.

England

,~

,.,,.I

THE INTERMEDIATETECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT
GROUPwas formed in
by a group of engineers,
industry

economists,

and the professions,

self-help
organisation

techniques
registered

scientists

to provide

fcs developing
as a charity.

and others

practical

countries.

1965
from

and effective
It

is a non-profit

A MANUAL ON THE HYDRAULIC

RAM FOR PUMPING WATER

by S.B. Watt

Intermediate Technology Development Group

Water Development Unit,
National College of Agricultural Engineering,
Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT, U.K.

.-

This pubi&ation
teas made possibh
bg a donor who wis'ws to remain
anonymous. ITDG gratefully
acknowtedges his generosity.

First Published February 1975

Revised edition July 1975
Revised and reprinted July 1977
Reprinted (with revised p.37) August 1978
Reprinted December 1990
Reprinted November 1981
@Intermediate Technology Development Group
.td.,
Published by Intermediate Technology Publications 1Ltd.,
9 King Street, London WCPE 8HN, U.K.
Printed by the Russell Press Ltd.,,45 Gamble Street,
Forest Road West, Nottingham NG7 4ET, U.K.
;
,
_

ISBN 0 903031 15 9

Introduction
The automatic

hydraulic

ram is a pumping device

that

has been widely

water to height8 of
a century in nrral areas, for lifting
It is an ideal machine for water pumping if certain
con
over 100 metres.
di+,iotm m satisfied,
because it Work8 solely on the power from falling
stream or river,
without any need
water carried in a pipe from a spring,

ueed for nearly

for an additional
exceptional

It

power eource.

record

where, however.

is completely

automatic,

and has an

It cannot be used everyof trouble free operation.

It cannot be used to pump still
water from a well, pond

or lake, Ule88 there iS a Separate, flowing water source nearby.

The simple ram pump described in this manual has been made and used
since

1948, but we have only

limited

information

has been taken from the VITA publication

our ovn very limited
ation

laboratory

from anyone who has built

long period,

performance.

This

6.6 in the bibliography)

5). We would welcome

(Ref.

tests

on its

(Section

one of these r8m pumps, operated

and who has ale0 measured the pumping rate

it

and
informover a

and surveyed

the site

conditions.
Although
VITA

(6.6.),

atrate

this

method of making a ram pump ha8 already

we have written

to field

vorkers

the manual to do two things.

how they can build

overcome any difficulties

in installation

information

8ome technical

to those with

able them to wfacture

In Part

it

ation

or no technical

in greater

We have taken information

culations
*en* site

that

condition8.

laboratory

tests

difficult

We also include

to write

behaviour

thie

bibliography
-1

that

(Ref. 6.9),
a different

lieting

is included

literature

to describe the simple calsized ram pupp for differof our limited

procedure.
involved

the ram, this

experience
section

of oper-

of a commercial

of fluid

the main 8ource8 of information

in the last

80 that

have been used to make

the complex relationship

you have subetantial

of Part

in

is very
mechanics.
that

11.

S.B.Watt.
wr
1975.
i

the

training.

the tuning

of the water moving through

unless

en-

work-

language

in Part 11 the results

to describe

it8

the range and limit8

in the trade

on the ram, which describe8

to follow

An annotated

given

need to design

We have not attempted

the hydraulic

detail

material8

Blake8 Hydrams Ltd.,

you will

will

and adjust

need during

the manual in non-technical

little

11, we deecribe

ram manufacturer,

that

the rsm, how to install

the ram pump will

of ram pumpe, and the different

them.

We also hope to provide

and workshop experience

for

that

to write

can be u8ed by people with

In part

to

how a simple rsm pump can be made from commercial

of maintenance

We have tried

We hope to demon-

the ram and have the confidence

and tuning.

by

ram8.

how to choose a site

ram, and the sort

ing life.

larger

1, we describe

pipe fitting8,

been published

we Used

PART 1

1.
2.

3.

4*

l-low TO MAKE AND INSTALL A SIMPLE RAM PWVIF

CONSTRUCTED
FROM WATER PIPE FITTINGS
A Description
How it works
Is your site suitable for the ram?
3*1 Heasuring the flow of water at the source.

6.
7.
8.
9.

a small

b) Heasuring

larger

flow,

such as a spring.

flows.

3-Z Xeasuri,ng the supply and delivery

Designing the ram.
4.1 How much water can the ram pimp.
4.2

5-

a) Xeasuring

Choosing

the size of the drive

pipe.

4.3 Choosing the size of the delivery

4.4 Choosirg the size of header tank.
Building the ram.
5.7X Making the impulse valve.
5.JS An alternative
impulse valve
5.2

Faking

the delivery

5.3
5.4

Xaking

the air

Eaking

the mounting

valve.

chamber.
legs.

Assembling the ram at the site.

Tuning the ram.
What to do if the ram doesnt work.
Maintenance of the ram after installation.

heads.

pipe.

1
1
9
C.
2
2

3
5
6
6
3
9
9
10
12
13
16
13
10
19
19
21
22

source

22

tasks

22

9.1

The sqply

9.2.

Maintenance

9.3

iPrequency of maisztenance.

iii

22

PART II
1.
2.

3.

A MORE TECHNICAL

Introduction
Ram performance
Some design considerations.
materials.
3.1 Constructiqn
-3.2

4:
5.

6.
?.

LOOK AT HYDRAULIC

Drive

pipe

3.3 Impulse vale.

3.4 Delivery va+e.
3.5 Air chamber\%
3.6 tir valve
i
3.7 Delivery piie from -ram to header tank.
Oesigningthe ram side.
laboratory tek *fed out on the ram built from
Part1 instructions.
1
5.1

Operating

5.2

0bseTation.s

on ram be&viour

for improveDents

23
23
25
25
25
27
28
28
29

29
31
32
32
32
33

the ram

5.3 Testing the m

5.4 Test results
Annotated bibliography
Appendix
Soaxe suggestioos

RAM PUMPS

33
35
38
to the ran:

LIST OF TABLES

Table

1.

Daily

pumping rates

supply

and deliveq

2.

Punping

3.
4.

Capacity

by the ram for

different

heads

performance

of Dlakes

rams

of Blakea rams.

Teat results

031 mm pump described

in Part

1.

30
30
34

LIST OF FIGURES

E5g, 1.
2.
f _ 3.
.-

4*
: . 5..
6.
.

7.

The amaage~~~nt of a typical

-Flow of water
General
pipe

over a triangular

arrangement

fittings.

V-notch

of ram coaetnrcted

from

11

Construction

of Impulse

Construction

of Delivery

Gi8gm3ms showing

14
I.7

Valve
V8lve

one pressure

hydraulicram
Comparison of different
ram

vi

ram assembly

pulse

materials

cycle

of

used to make

24

26

FIG.1

TEZ AZUNGEHi3~EIIOF A TYPICAL i-2.X AS333LY

w4siE wn-

the thead
For instance,

The vertical
distance between two water levels is known as
of iqater available
and is a Iileasure of the water pressure.
the pressure

mt

in the ram body when it

~~zzzgxxg, is known as the supply head; sinilarly

air

&?oer

with

the delivery

valve

closed,

is

is full of water and

the pressure in the

the delivery

'I

head.

Part 1 How to make and Ins?all a a Simple Ram

Pump Constructed
from VVater Pipe Fittings
1. A Description
The automatic

hydraulic

pumping a small fraction

source, to 8 level that
only be used in places
water,

with

a fall

ram is used for pumping water.

of the water that

can be much higher
where there

It

flows through it
than the source.

works by

from a supply
The ram can

is a steady and reliable

eupp.Ly of

sufficient

The ram described

to operate the ram.

in this manual needs to have a fall

of at least

I metre from the source to the ram, and 8 flow at the source greater
5 litres

per minute.

heights

is given
In places

other
it

The amount of water

it

where this

ram can be *xzed, it

wind,

does not need an addition81

it

can pump to different

has many advantages

or motors,

despite

over

the fact

that

of water:-

running
b)

it

in Table 1. (Page 7)

pumps powered by hand, animal,

wastes a lot

that

than

power source and there

are no

costs,
and these are very

has only two moving parts,

simple and

cheap to maintain,
c)
d)

it

works efficiently

over a wide range of flows,

it

is tuned in correctly,

it

c8n be m8de usxng simple

provided

work shop equipment.

2. How it works

A labelled
Fig.

working

rsm installation

through
is fast

down the drive

pipe from the source and escapes out

the impulse valve. When the flow of water past Me impulse valve
enough, this flow and the upward force on the valve oauses the
to shut suddenly,

halting

the column of water

in the drive

The mcmentum of the stopped column of water produces

rise

in the r8m, which will,

in the air
air

is shown in

1.
Water flows

valve

diagram of a typical

if

chamber on the delivery

it

is large
valve,

enough,
allowing

pipe.

a sudden pressure
overcome the pressure

water

to flow into

chsmber 8ud then up to the header t8nk.

The preseure

escape of water into

surge or hammer in the ram is partly

the air

chamber, and the pressure

reduced by the
pulse

'rebounds'

the

back up the drive

the delivery

pipe producing

valve

to close,

the rem. The impulse

cycle

suction

preventing

in the ram body. This causes

the pumped water from flowing

drops down, water begins

back into

to flow out again,

8nd the

is repeated.
A small

through

and passes into

the delivery

pressure
tank.

enters through

amount of air

of the ram cycle,

valve.

The air

the air

the air

The air

chamber with

becomes mixed with

The rem is
normally

Ituned

during

the suction

part

each surge of water up

to even out the drastic

a more steady flow of water to the header

in the chamber is always compressed,

as it

valve

chamber is necessary

changes in the ram, allowing

replaced
this

valve

a slight

end needs to be constantly

the water and lost

to pump the greatest

occurs when the r&n cycle

to the header tank.

amount of water possible,

is repeated

or tbe8tsr

and

about 75 times

each minute.

3. Is yoursitesuitableforthe
You c8n install

raan?
this

ram at your site

measure the flow of water at the source,

site,

and it

know if

will

probably

you need a larger

described

doing 8ny survey work to

or the supply

work perfectly

the ram is capable

without
well.

and delivery

However, it

heads at the

is often

necessary

of pumping the amount of water you need, or whether

rem. Measuring

for this

information

is not difficult,

and is

below.

3mlMEK3JRIX?G'THE FMW OF WATERAT THE SOURCE.

The first
see if
this

it

thing

you must measure, is the flow of water at the source,

is enough to operate

the ram; some people with

experience

to

can estimate

by eye.
Naturally

occuring

sources

you must make allowance

calculate

the pumping rate

than you planued

8)

for

8 temporary

your water

flow,

and

supply

may be less

is very

such as 8 sDrin&
sm8l1, you can meesure it

dam, and C8tChiXlg the water in 8 bucket.

litres)

that

flows

into

etc.,

by constructing
The amount of

the bucket in one minute

measured. The dam may be made from any material,

planks

the year,

you use your meaeurement of water flow to

of the ram, othemiee

8 small

When the flow

(in

if

tend to dry up during

for.

Measuring

water

this

of water

but you nust make sure that

2.

there

can then be

wood, metal sheet,

8re no leaks:-

to

b)

Measuring

larger

flows.

me ram described

in this

amount of water to make it

looking

if

work,

the flow is large

to make or buy an expensive

how much water
Larger
weir,

with

there

manual requires
and often
ram, it'is

if

you are going

essential

to know

is to be taken from the source.

flows are measured using

a 90' V-notch

cut into

The depth of water flowing

a timber

plank

or ply wood

the top:-

throu&

about 1 metre upstream of the weir,

graph in Figure

you can see by

enough. However,
larger

only a small

the weir

ia meaaured

and you can thenuse

the

2 to read how much water is flowing

Depth of water measured 1 metre upstream

From graph,

the flow

- 10 ems.

is then read ae 275 litres/min.

Flow of water over a triangular

V-notch.

The weir

must not lesk around its

can only be used if

all

the water

sides,

and the graph

flow is contained

within

the notch.

3-2 MEKXJRINGTHE SUPPLYAND DELJIVERYHJUDS.

Most rams will
one third

slope.

if

to make the supply

The supply

You will

the site

the supply

will

head as large

head can be increased

not allow

as possible;

canal

by leading

cr 3ipe to the drive

only need to measure the supply

to make sure that

the ram will

can be used to calculate

The differences

source,

how much water this

in level

spririt

head is described

this,
this

and

will

be

which has a shallow

pipe inlet:-

and delivery
or if

you need

you have to buy a

and the delivery

ram will

herds if

and supply

heads,

pump. See Table 1. (Page 7)

between the source and the ram, and the header

tank and the ram, can be measured using

or even a carpenters

head is about

the water from the supply

pump enough water,

ram. The flow at the supply

the supply

if

the source is a slow moving stream or river

source along a feeder

larger

best efficiency

head, but often

of the delivery

you must then try

necessary

work at their

level

a surveyors

attached

below:-

5.

dumpy level,

to a stick.

a clinometer,

A method of measuring

5anaP positmn
aad MO;L l&de1
dorJnhiLlt do
wutk~c ceadinq

1.

Set up the level

graduated

measuring

Water surface
note book.
ii.

assietant

record.

Your assistant

Record this

the meseuting

You repeat

on the

reading

in 8

etaff

and ask your

down hill.

!I!he

and you take 8 eecond resding

stay on the 88me spot with

you carry

the level

below your assistant.

and repeete

on 8

down hill

the measuragain to 8

Set up the level

again,

stsgee i and irL above.

thie

and the supply

process until

the ~8m site

head can be calculated

SupplyHead
The delivergheadis

which

(H2).

will

whilst

position

held by your assi,stant

around on the same spot,

is held upright,

ing staff

and take 8 reading

(al).
to carry

you a&n
iii.

st8ff

of the source,

Turn the level

staff

ne8r the source,

is reached,

ae followar-

-H 2-Hl+H4-H3+
..0..
meaeuredina
eimilarway.

6.

etc.

4. Designingthe ram.

4.1

HOWMUCHWUERCAHTHE RAMPUMP
The simple ram pump made from commercial

5 of this

in Section
each minute.
that

this

manual,

Using this

needs % supply

supply

razz may be expected

and delivery

heada, are given

flow,

pipe fittings

SuPPlY
Head
(metres)
1
2

the smallest

15
7.5
10
200 150 80
550 390 250
650 450
650
750

3
4
5
6
7

20
70
200

320
430
550
700

8mounts of water

to pump each day for different

supply

in Table 1.

Delivery

5
400

30
50
130
220

300
370
450
550

of water)

Head (met%)

40
30
80
150
200
300
350
410

59
20
60
130
150
250
300
320

60

80

100

50

30
70
go
120
150
200

40
60
go
120
150

loo

130
200
250
270

16
18

450 370 300 250

600 450 400 300
750 550 470 350
650 550 400
620 470
700 520

420

20

600

450

8
10

12
14

We hsve not been able to test

of supply

8nd delivery

Only one half

properly

tuned,

minute.If

for

allow

wide range
will

pump at 8 faster

rate

or if

flow is more than 5 litres

the mqply

if

example, your rpm installation

pump three

pump at

( see Table 2, page 30).

a flow of 15 litres

the ram will

it

150
230
280
330
370

Of 8 Comp8rable COmmerCi81 ram manufactured

by Blakes Hydreme Ltd.

The rem will

the r8m pump over this

heads. We have assumed that

the rate

5 litres

flow of at least

DAILY PUMPINGRATES RX RAMPUMP (litres

TABLE1

described

per minute

the impulee valve

is
per

can be tuned to

down the supply

pipe,

times the 8mount given in Table 1.

then

The greatest
by the size
"(and

amount of water this

of the ram itself

therefore

the ram installation

you find

ram size is given

ran,

that your ram installation

.he drive

pipes

pipe. SC--~ installation

each ?
:.

is not large

4.2

manual.

enough to pump the

ram alongside

the orig-

but you may use the same delivery

of small

rams, often

5 or more, next to

CHOOSINGTHE SIZE OF THE DRIVE PIPS.

The drive

it

a duplicate

should be separate,

have b8tterieS

ram should be chosen.

in Part 11 of this

amount of ,Alzter you need, you can construct

inal

is to use more water

then a larger

be able to pump more water),

How to choose the correct

If

and if

ram can use from the source is governed

carries

pipe is really

and cdncrete

must be made from good quality

pipes are useless

for

The diameter and length of the drive

ram will work satisfactorily
if the mtios
between the limits

of the ram installation

you try

to install

that

is four

(4) times the supply

the drive

drive

8 drive

pipe with

pipe is described

or iron

pipe diameter

an $ ratio

in greater

(D)

surge

water pipe -

pipe is very important,

although the
of pipe length (L) to diameter (D) 8re

head, whichever

Supply Head

pipes.

detail

4.0 metres

25 mm.

8.

We suggsst

of 500, or choose a length

is the smaller.

Exsmple

Drive

steel

the pressure

= 150 to 1000. These are very broad limite.

that

behind

part

the water from the source to the ram, and contains

of the water hammer. It

plastic

the most important

in Part

11.

The theory

8)

500

500 x 25 = 12500 mm or 12.5 metres.

Use L

4 x Supply head
4 x 4.0 = 16.0 metres.

Use$

b)

The rsm will

at either

of these lengths,

convenient

4.3

work equally

for your

well

if

the drive

and you should

pipe is cut from 25 mm pipe

choose the length

site.

CHOOSINGTHE DELIVIBY PIPE SIZE

Unlike

provided

the drive

it

quite

pipe,

you can make the delivery

can stand the pressure

The delivery

pipe should

satisfactory

if

of water leading

h8Ve 8~ intern81

it

is strong

the delivery
forcing

head is small

water through

fairly

up to the delivery

tank.

hosepipe

is

enough.

enough; in this

the pipe,

pipe from any material,

bore of 20 mm; plastic

The water from the ram c8n be pumped for great

4.4

which is most

distances

provided

that

case, the ram has to spend effort

and you should

try

to keep the delivery

pipe

short.
CHOOSINGTHE SIZE OF THE HFXOEBTANK.
One of the great

and continuously,

advantages

of a ram pump is that

which me8n3 that

it

is always pumpiw

it

works automatically

water to the header

tank.
If you thiaL
see that

during

about the way that

certain

periods

amount from the header tank.

you will

most likely

you use water in your household,

of the day, you will

At other

times,

use very little

The header tank must therefore

reserve to supply your needs during

during

overflows.

You should

be large enough to hold

periods of peak demand.

therefore

ments, and make your t8nk to coAt8in

too small,

you can easily

for instance,
enough water

there

will

in

be times

pipe to the tank,

and

tank.

is to estimate
half

size,

an overflow

fit

lead the waste water to your garden or fish

The way to choose the tank size

the night,

large

water.

Even when you choose a header tank of correct

when it

need a relatively

you will

this

add 8 second tank.

your

amount. If

daily

water require-

you find

the tank is

5. Building the ram.

You can build
able,
scribed

a ram from any size of pipe fittings

and the way that

these will

here has a drive

work is described

that

in Part

you have avail11. The ram de-

pipe bore of 30 mm. The ram body is made from pipe

fittings
of 50 mm internal
bore , so that the impulse and delivery
valves can
have large openings: the relatively
small sizes of commercial pipe fittings
are a major disadvantage
imum ram size that

can be made. The finished

The main points

a)

for ram construction,

the capacity

which allows

The pipe fittings

than the drive

are therefore

piFea.
the ram experiences
strong

several

sizes

the ram should

by sharp changes of direction

and all

this

ram are:-

larger

pipe.

the flow of water through

life

to build

the water to discharge.

flow or by the sudden junction

c)

the max-

of the ram depends on the size of the

valve

restricted

limit

ram is shown below and in Fig.3

you should note when you intend

impulse

b)

and effectively

of different

savage pounding

the parts,

connections

enough to stand the stresses.

10.

during

not be
of water
sized
its

and valves

working
must be

ImplJfse vcalve

d)

there

are obviously

pipe fittings

5.1

below can be modified

MAKING THE IMPULSE VALVE.

in Fig.4.1

centrally

This will
which will
washer.

are to hold

plate

in the correct

seating

about 10 mmwide all

valve

washer.

area to prevent

each 6 mm diameter

spring

is made from a strip

of mild

marked out and drilled

to shape around a 50 mm pipe,

in the position

shown

hole:-

for the impulse

holes,

plate

File

or rub

wear on the

on the valve

plate,

spring.

30 x 2 mm in cross section,

onto the valve

the pipe connection

over the valve

The two elongated

The valve
the spring

inside

act as a seating

the valve

pipe junction

over the 30 mm diameter

leave a lip

and smooth the valve

valve

to suit

fittings.

Meld or braze a 50 mm threaded

round,

of

which can make up a ram body, and

the one described

available

any number of combinations

as shown below,

this

positions:-

12.

steel,

650 mm long,

as shown in Fig.4.5

with the bend centre

will set the spring with

Bend

line on the strip

the drilled
holes

Bolt

the spring

the impulse

valve

The impulse

onto the valve

stem to be adjusted
valve

add spring

for

corrwt

tension

the valve

plate

and the valve

stroke

valve

assembly can be removed from the ram for maintenance

We have chosen this

wearing
valve

parts
spring

assembly will

except
will

for

the pipe connector

system of impulse
the valve

rubber.

work harden and break;

be damaged during

a stream.

An alternative

described

below.

floods

more robust

it

and valve

tube and
Fig.4.4

bolts.

These

You can see that

valve
It

to allow

spring,

adjusting

the ram to be tuned for maximum efficiency.

then unscrewing

bolt,

to the valve

allow

the spring,

holes

seating.

is made up from a 6 mm diameter

itself

washers which you assemble through

Finally,

which has elongated

plate,

by just

the impulse
unbolting

plate:-

assembly because it

is possible

that

is also possible

if

the ram is installed

design

for the impulse

with
that

has no
time,

the

the spring

on the side of
valve

assembly is

5.1 B AH ALTERNATIVE IMPULSE VALVE.

The impulse

valve

assembly described

by VITA, and as far as we know, it

above has been taken from a design

works quite

13.

satisfactorily.

,FIG 4

4.1.

(Dimensions

CONSTRUCTION
OF IMPULSE VALVE

VALVE PLATE,

150 x80x

3 mm Mild steel

in millimetres)

plate

holes.

150
/

PIPE CONNECTION, 50 mm diameter,

SPRING, 650 x 30

mole threaded

Mild

2 mm

steel

strips

iH mi\\im&rc4.

\'SPRING
lnpu
v&e

se

14.

beut to shape

j:
-

A :A

lMPUT,sE VALVE STEM

N--J

SPFUNGTEWXON BC-LT

spc in?

I-asi

on

We include
valve

which will

ing under its

in this

a more robust

impulse

valve

with

a sliding

wear in time.

The impulse valve in this case works by fallat the finish

of each ram cyole:-

own weight

The valve

section

stem is fitted

through

a fixed

pipe guide supported

above the

valve plate by arms welded both to the pipe and valve plate. The pipe connector
is welded as before over the centre of the 30 mm diameter hole in the valve
plate.
Choose the pipe guide and the valve
but easy fit.

Alternatively,

brass or plastic

stem bolt

so that

they have a close

the pipe guide can be chosen to hold a replaceable

sleeve which will

take the wear from the moving valve

stem

bolt.
The valve
stem bolt,

stroke

is set by adjusting

and the weight

of the valve

the nuts on the top

can be altered

of

the valve

by adding weights

onto

the bolt.
We have not built
reason why it
described
5.2

should

this

not work. Tuning

impulse

valve

the ram will

assembly,

but there

is no

process

to that

be a similar

7.

in Section

MAKIDG THE DELIVERY VALVE.

The delivery

ram after
valve,

or tried

valve. prevents

the pressure

pulse has been dissipated.

and you can make it

of 3 mm steel

the 'pumped water from flowing

plate

very
into

simply

by welding

It

is therefore

or brazing

the top of a 50 mmpipe

16.

back into

the

a non return

a cut and drilled

connector:-

.t5
.
8
:

:.

LPNMU.ti

LDmrv\

THE

Cut the plate

pipe ccnnector,
and bolt
easily,

it

to shape and file

and weld or braze it

into

position;

but must be firm

valve

place.

enough to support
valve

is made simply

the side of the pipe connector

ed by a fine

into

exactly

Attach

a rubber

allow

water

from the air

to pass

chamber.

place.

in

a small hole

and below the delivew

the end of the

washer to the plate

enough'to

the valve

by drilling

IMLUE

into

the water pressure

holds

LPhJUELT0k

DELIJEILJ

the washer must be flexible

The cupped washer above the rubber

The air

smooth to fit

Pi&

valve.

1.0 mm in diameter
This is partially

in
block-

wire split

hole open and allowing

air

to enter.

Fig.5.

Make sure on assembly that the air valve is placed on the opposite side to
the delivery
pipe outlet,
otherwise the air entering
the air chamber is likely
to
escape into
is located

5.3

the delivery

pipe;

it is,
valve.

below the delivery

of course,

essential

that

the air

feeder

valve

MAXIHG THE AIR CHAMBER.

Cut a 1 metre length of 50 mm diameter water pipe, and thread each end. Screw
one end into the delivery
pipe T-junction
pipe fitting,
and seal the top with a cap.

Make the mounting

and bolt

legs from any available

these around the ram body. The legs

rsm is assembled at the site

if

scrap strip

cap'be bolted

iron,

bend,

to the ground when the

you want the ram to be a permanent

10.

and drill5
fixture.

.C.^--.

^-

6. Assembling the ram at the site.

a)

Assemble the pipe fittings

Screw these firmly
position

b)

frcm leaks.
The impulse

Set the ram level

with

e)

and adjust

of pipe joint
them for

compound.

the correct

They must be completely

must move freely

on the valve

free

and when

plates.

on the mounting

the drive

The drive

plenty

valves

legs at the required

and delivery

clean water before

pipes.

Flush

site,

these pipes

connection.

pipe should be laid

as straight

as possible

with

no sharp bends, and it

should have no upward kinks

trap air.
The inlet

pipe must always be submerged, or air

will

7.

and delivery

seat evenly

and attach
d)

together

in the ram assembly.

closed
c)

using

to the drive

enter

the pipe and prevent

which will

the ram from working.

Tuning the ram.

The ram should
delivery
will

tank.

be tuned to pump the greatest

Tuning

is not difficult,

and you will

pump some water at most settings

The amount of water that

beets each minute,

results
compared to find
quite easily:a)

valve

bolt'

(SAB) until

bolt

and the valve

b)

plate.

that

valve

the ram

assembly.

valve

for

settings,

and the

the ram- You can do this

the 'stroke

adjustment

is a gap of about 15 mm between this

plate.

This

of steel

can most simply

be done by slipp-

washers under the bolt

and screwing

down onto them.

Remove the washers,

'spring

different

closed , and adjust

there

ing a measured pile

find

to the

pump, and the number of valve

the best setting

Hold the impulse

the halt

of the impulse

the ram will

aze measured for

amount of water

tension
Shortening

release

bolt'

the impulse

(STB) until

the STB will

valve,

the SAB just

bend the spring

and adjust
touches
down.

the

the valve

Nip tight
the drive
drive

the STB and SAB nuts, and allow water to enter

pipe. Hold the impulse valve closed until
the

pipe is full

ing it

of water,

then release

up and down by hand several

the valve,

times.

mov-

The ram should

now work by itself.

d>

If

the valve

stays

is too tight,

open allowing

and you should

water

to flow cut,

stop the flow of water,

set the SAB and STB in the wqy described

to give a stroke of 13 mm.

When the valve works correctly,
valve

stroke

measuring

and the valve

f)

each setting

settings

est stroke
fore

If

the amount of water

and reset

that

is pumped

the STB and SAP as de-

will

setting

the pumping rates

are similar,

- this

for

that
several

choose the setting

mean a smaller

with

spring

tension

gave the
of the
the smalland there-

less wear.

The results
in Part

of cur experiments

11 of this

from an initial
100 cycles
until

a, b, and c, above for

in a, b, and c, to the stroke

best pumping rate.

valve

in a, b, and c, above

beats each minute.

Compare the pumping rates,

scribed

and re-

of 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, millimetres,

settings

for

repeat

the spring

manual.

valve

per minute,

the valve

stroke

on one of these rams are given

We obtained
setting

by tightening

beat was 75 cycles

make will

work in a different

to fiddle

with

the impulse

the best pumping rate

giving

the spring
per minute.

wsy to ours,
valve

a valve

to find

beat of

tension

bolt

The ram you

and you will

the best setting.

have

8. What to do if the ram doesnt work.

There are only two moving parts in an automatic hydraulic
ram, and
there is very little
that can go wrong, However, possible
causes of
failure
are listed
below:-

Impulse valve
Check seating
should

does not work.

of valve washer on valve

not leak when held

closed,

plate;

the valve

and should

not catch on

the side of the pipe connector.

Check to see if
drive

b)

there

Delivery

valve

surges during
working.

does not operate

the water

operation,

The valve

in the

as a non-return
level

or falls

should

valve.

in the delivery

pipe

when the ram is not

be cleaned

and checked for wear.

Rsm pumps too much air.

Check air

d>

or obstruction

pipe or ram body.

This can be seen if

is any debris

feeder valve;

if

large

volumes of air

split

pin should be used.

it

is too big it

to enter

will

the ram, and a larger

Check that

air

the joints

should be well

sealed with

Check that

inlet

to drive

pipe is submerged,

will enter
hanrmer.

drive

pipe,

Ram pumps with

allow

does not enter

the ram through

spoiling

a loud metallic

pipe

wire

loose joints;

compound.
otherwise

the performance

air

of the water

sound.

Check that air feeder valve is working to allow enough air

to enter below the non-return
valve; a small spurt of water
should

come from this

enough air

entering

pin.
Check that

air

feeder

valve

with

the ram air

valve

pipe,

directly

to the header tank.

there

bed pipe fitting.

or the air
are no air

If

chamber, fit

will

be pumped with

leaks

from air

there

is not

a smaller

is on the opposite

delivery
Check that

each cycle.

split

side to the
the water

chamber due to

9. Maintenance of the ram after installation.

9.1

THE SUPPLY SOURCE

It

is obviously

essential

to prevent

dirt

from entering

the drive

pipe

or leaves from blocking

its entry. So it may be necessary to provide a grating
at the off-take
from the river or stream supplying the water in order to keep
back floating
collect

9.2

leaves,

and a sump should

at the feeder

tank to

silt.
NAINTENANCETASKS
Maintenance

feeder

involves

keeping

tank and sump, as well

which you must carry

gratings

(a)

dismantling

(b)

clearing

(c)

adjusting

(d)

changing

(e)

keeping

and filters

clear,

as caring

fo-A the ram itself.

to be as follows:

out are likely

and cleaning

the

The maintenance

tasks

the ram to remove dirt,

air

locks

in the pipe system,

the tuning;
the valve
filters

tightening

rubber;

the inflow

clearing

9.3

be provided

adjusting

to the drive

which work loose,

bolts

the seating

pipe free

of valves,

of debris;

and gratings.

FREQlJENCYOF MAINTENBNCE
Rams have an exceptionally

maintenance
necessary

will

probably

maintenance

is suitable
to carry

good reputation

not need to be very frequent.

is arranged,

for a particular

and the question

application,

frequently
with
purpose-designed
tools

and spare parts

pump. So in general,

of valves

may be needed for

this

this

type of ram

locally
who can have a
a technician
from someweeks?

and bolts,

msy need to be done more

too

A commercial

lives

On the other

the maintenance

ram is best suited

for maintenance
intervals

of several

head becomes greater.

responsible
at longer

and

this particular
ram than with some commercial models made from
alloys and components* , snd the need for maintenance rnw become

as the delivery

great.

of whether

Is there somebody living

once every week, or is there

the adjustment

running,

depends very much on who is available

where else who can come only at intervals

Tuning,and

trouble-free

The way in which the

out the maintenance.

look at the rsm at least

greater

for

nearby,

of a commercially-bdilt

to a situation

where the person

and where the delivery

pump may be the best choice

by somebody with

hand, specialised

head is not

when maintenance

access to a wide range of tools

onents.

22.

is done
and oomp-

Part II

A more Technical
Hydraulic
Rams

look at Automatic

1. Introduction
This part
understanding

of the manual will

of engineering

materials,

use to those who wish to build

scribed

be of interest

to those who have a basic

and fluid

mechsnics.

rams with different

sizes

It

will

be of

to the one de-

in Part 1.
Commercially

experience

until

maintenance.
robust

available

rams have been redesigned

they work well

under all

They are made from solid

- some ram installations

the size of the available

also limits

the size

conditions

iron
in Part

pipe fittings.

of the ram, - it

the minimum of

for nearly

100 years.

1 is necessarily

is doubtful

by field

and are extremely

The strength

stand up to the savage loads experienced

limited

by

of the pipe fittings

if

pipe fittings

by commercial

would

rams under condi-

tions

of high supply

pipe.

Large rams must therefore

be made from iron castings,
or welded steel
A technical
description
of casting and workshop processes are outside

the scope of this

equipment
features

heads and supply

with

castings,

have been working

The size of the ram described

and refined

manual,

available,

this

to be considered

but if
part

flows.

you have these skills

of the manual will

before

and the necessary

show you the main design

you design a ram for production.

Ram performence
The way that
Part

1, and there

one pressure
very

is little

pulse

simplified

the drive

automatic

and ideal

pipe,

was carried

except

form the pressure

out on their

in

to show on a diagram

and velocity

of the impulse

23.

at the end of
during

before

characteristics,

Recent research

- references

in the bibliography.

valve,

a century

operational

in operation.

rams seem to work,

briefly

The diagrams in Fig. 6 show in a

of a ram.

and used for nearly

seem to be almost foolproof

the way that

rams work is outlined

to add to this

and the position

Barns were built

research

cycle

hydraulic

to this

one cycle.

any intensive
and they
has clarified

work can be found

DIAGRAMSSHOKCNGONE pREsSJRE PmsE CYCLE OF HYJRAULIC RAM.

E&6

open

PERIBC\-

1.

I 3. ; 4.

2.

j 5.

Period

1.

End of previous ram cycle, velocity

of water through ram begins
to increase through open impulse valve8 slight
negative pressure
in ram body,

Period

2.

Flow increases

Period

3.

Impulse valve begins to close causing pressure to build up inside

The velocity
of flow through the ram ha8 reached l maximum,
ram.
the maximum velocity
being controlled
by ram size,

Period

4.

Impulse valve ha8 closed, causing the pressure pulee or hammer to

pump 8ome water through the delivery
valve,
Velocity
of flow
through ram rapidly
decreases.

Period

5.

Pressure pulse rebounds back up drive pipe, causing a slight

suction in ram body.
Impulse valve open8 under this suction
it8 own weight.

to a maximum through

Water begins to flow again

cycle is repeated.

24.

through

open impulse

the impulse

valve.

valve,

and

and the ram

3.

Somedesignconsidwrtions
3.1

CONSTRtlCTIOX?
KATERIALB
!&en the column of water in the drive

closing

impulse

the elastic
this

valve,

the pressure

materials

way, part

pipe walls.

An ideal

installation

velocity

of 0.3 metres/second

pressure

3.2

it

pulse

48 metres of water.
to achieve

materials

in-

in the flow

head of about

and Fig.7

the

rigid,

reduction

With the materials

this

In

is used in straining

would cause a pressure

head produced when different

4.6

k&cm*

and valves

that

are used to construct

the ram,

and diameter
Research has shown that

affect

the ram performance

and the pipe diameter

able.

It

is not possible

supply

determined

to calculate

ability

pipe diameter
given

and the

to diameter

of the vater

These limits

for a ram of known

in Table

2 on commercial

($) should

in any case be

$ - 150 to 1000; outside

ance of the ram is impaired.

ha

drive

of pipe length

between the limits

valve

that

heads.

can be found from the information

rams. The ratio

avaii-

and the amount of water

on the size of the impulse

Some idea of a suitable

size

by the pipe materials

the size of pipe needed - the flow

cyclically,

use depends mainly

and delivery

pipe does not

over a very wide range of flow conditions,

of water down the pipe varies

the ram will

the size of the drive

is usually

these limits,

the perform-

seem to be determined

column in the drive

pipe to accelerate

by the

after

it

been stopped.
The cost of the drive

installation,
diameter;

however,

if

vater

be chosen to have a small

on the pipe walls

column and reduce the efficiency

The drive

pipe diameter

size of the ram body,

the length

therefore

the pipe is too small in diameter,

of the water and the friction

elerating

pipe is a very major item in a ram

and the pipe should

is first

25.

the viscosity

slow down the acc-

of the ram,

chosen to cormapcnd

or from a comparison

of the pipe found from this,

will

with

using

the commercial
a ratio

are

shows the equivalent

DRIVRPIPE
a) Len&h

pipe and ram body to stretch.

case an instantaneous

is not possible

by the
causing

would be one made of completely

and in this

a head of nearly

retarded

up compresses the water,

of the energy of the pressure

materials,

available,

build

making up the drive

elastic,
i.e.

pipe is suddenly

with

the

rams, and

$ of about 500.

COMPARISONOF WATERRAMMERPULSE PRESSUREWITH DIFFEREMC

MBTERIALS AND VARYING THICKNESS OF DRIVE PIPE WALLS.

An ideal

drive

pipe would be very

above shows that
pressure

increase

pipe would be made from steel,

thick

with

in relation

to the pipe diameter.

an increase

in the

ratio

can be expected

to fall

and the ram will

to pump very efficiently.

material

and the walls

It

can also be seen that

of the

The diagram

4, the maximum
concrete

not be able
is a poor

for ram construction.

If

the instantaneous

then the maximum pressure

reduction

in flow velocity

head increase

will

be e

is 1 metre/second,
x 46 or 154 metres of

water.
With an instantaneous
the maximum pressure
practice,
velocity

in flow velocity
of 5 metres/second,
5.0
be o 3 x 46, or 765 metres of water. In

reduction

head should

the ram would have to be ve&

of 5 metres/second

large

down the drive

26.

to allow

pipe.

water to reach a

Some ram manufacturers

suggest

that

the drive

be 4 or 5 times

pipe length

the supply head.

The length

of the drive

- the compression

ram design

pipe is

quite

an important

dimension

for

the

wave of water must reach the open source and

be dissipated

before the water in the drive pipe can flow again through the
for a site which had
valve. The drive pipe length would be critical

impulse

a source a long wsy from the rem, with

stand pipe or feeder
The inlet
from entering
of the pressure
drive

head. In this

case, a

tank should be installed.

to the drive pipe must alw8ys be submerged to prevent air

the pipe; air bubbles in the drive pipe will absorb the energy
pulse,

reducing

pipe must not be laid

as air

a lowsupply

the ram efficiency.

with

For this

reason,

any upward bends or humps that

the

could act

traps.

b) Pipe smoothness.
The column of water in the drive
rapidly

many times a minute.

as smooth as possible,
reduced.

diameter

friction

losses.

high friction

3.3

drive

true if
lined

of the drive

the efficiency

pipe will

Concrete

and is stopped very

pipe should

of the rem will

a small diameter

drive

have much lower velocities

pipes

give a roughwall

finish

therefore
be greatly

pipe is chosen;,
and smaller
trith

fairly

losses.

IEPULSE VALVE
This is a vital

it's

otherwise

This is especially

a large

The walls

pipe accelerates

weigh& and stroke

part

of the r8m, and it

can be adjusted

27.

should be designed

for tuning:

so that

be

A heavy weight
valve,

and a 10% stroke

building

uy the powerful

heads; a small weight

larger

and short

will

allow

high flow rates

hamme: pulse
stroke

will

needed to drive
'beat'

the best shape of the impulse

perform

quite

Various

spring

(see b above).
extent,

to high

and deliver

research

but the simple

carried

out

clack

valve

seems to

to cause the impulse

valve

to shut

efficiently.
devices

and open more quickly,

great

vaive,

little

the impulse

water

more quickly

volumes to lower heads. There has been very

into

through

It

have been tried

and several

commercial

is not known if

but it

does avoid

this

models incomorate

increases

the need for

these refinements,

the efficiency

sliding

of the ram to any

bearings

which have to be re-

placed when worn.

3.4

DELIvmY VALVE

The delivery
valve should have a large opening to allow the pumped water to
enter the air chamber with little
obstruction
to flow. It can be a simple nonreturn

valve

made from stiff

rubber,

or operate

as a clack

valve:

I
CLWeK

3.5
pulse

should be as large

from the rem cycle,

less

friction

the ram will

loss.

as possible
allowing

If

pound savagely

chamber should be equal

deliveq
smaller

pipe lengths,
size

should

this

to compress and cushion

a more steady flow

the air

through

chamber becomes filled

and msy result

ram must be stopped immediately.

air

Iu

6UlPIZ

AIR CHBMBER
This

with

UCLLVE

in breakage;

Some authorities

the pressure
the delivery

completely
when this

suggest

that

be chosen.

28.

large

air

occurs,

water,
the

the volume of the

to the volume of water in the delivery

would give an absurdly

with

pipe

pipe.

On long

chamber, and a

3.6

AIR VWE
The air

turbulence
into

stored

The air
water with

pipe.

valve
fill

through

This air

with

pulse.

the delivery
so that

it

pound with

be corrected

immediately

by the air

valve.

a small

spurt

a metallic

enough air

sound and break - this

by increasing

the opening

the air
If the

to enter,

conditiorl

of the air

of

Thould

valve.

DELIVERY PIPE PROMRAM TO READERTANK

involve

but a long pipe will

some work by the ram in moving the water against

The delivery

pipe ms,y be made from any material,

providing

that

can also be connected

ation

or is lost

If

Water can be pumped by a ram to any distance,

pipe,

valve,

gives

open and does not allow

the ram will

absorbed by the

the valve is open too far,

and the ram will then pump only air.

air,

is not sufficiently

slowly

has to be replaced

should be adjusted

each compression

chamber will

3.7

chamber is either

of the water entering

the delivery

valve

in the air

proves

tank and the delivery

to the same.'delivery

plastic

of the water.

pipe if

the initial

Several

hoserams

ram install-

therefore,

be located

pipe should

as near as posaible

be-made larger

with

to the header

long distances,

or with

volumes of pumped water:-

Pumped water

I( 1000 litres/day)
1 Delivery

can stand the pressure

including

to be too small.

The ram should

increased

it

pipe friction.

I3

pipe bore (cms)1 2.0

14

23

55

90

135 I

2.5

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

8.0 1

TABLE2

FGMFIBGPEEUQRMANCEOFBLAKESE&S.
This

24 hours,

for

Conditions
tained

table

gives

each litre

of delivery

from field

the quantity,
of supply

in litres,

flow used per minute,

head and supply

trials

of water raised

under the chosen

head. These figures

on Blakes rams, which operate

every

have been ob-

at efficiencies

of

about 6%.
hPPlg
lead (H3)
:Metres)
1.0

Delivery

7.5

10

15

Head (hd).

3P

20

40

(Metres)

50

60

65 33 29 lg.5 12.5
220 156 105
79 53 33 25 19.5
260 180 130 87 65 51 40
255 173 115 86 69 53
282 185 140 112 93.5
216 163 130 109

80

100

125

144 77

2.0
3.0
4.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0

187 149 125

10.0

12.0
14.0
16.0

245 187 156

295 225 187
265 218
250

18.0

280

212

168

140

12.5
27 17.5
36 23
64.5 47.5
60
82

16
34.1
48

69
84

55
62

117 93
140 113
167 132
187 150

69
83
97

94
105

210

169

237 188

20.0

12

110

124
140

TABLE 3 CAFACITY OF BLAKFS RAMS

This table

shows the supply

Blake3 Hydrams of different

Supply Discharge
(litres/min)
Maximum height

ins

1%

From

12

27

45

76 101 127
3
5
4
68 136 180

16

25

55

96

137 270 410

to*

metres 150

I
values

The higher
at their

123&456
36
32
12

51

63.5

2&

to

Hydram will
Iwhich water
(hd)
* Bate:

Qs which can be used by

sizes.

Size of Hydram (Blakes)

Internal
Diameter
mm

k-4

discharge

150 120 120

I
of $ are the volumes of water used by the Bydrams

maximum efficiency;

pass larger

120 105 105 1

the rams do not have the capacity

amounts than those given.

30.

to

Oesigningtheramsize
The site
must first

conditions

of supply

be measured before

required rate.
The ram performance
'Blakes

Hydrams Ltd.'

These operate

Efficiency

and delivery

data given in Tables

(see bibliography)

E = Q x hd x lo&

2 and 3 has been obtained

from field

efficiency

trials

on their

QS = supply flow rate

pumping efficiency

rams.

(litres/min)

where qd = pumping rate

x Hs

by

of about 65$.

(litres/min)
(metres)

head
hd = delivery
Hs = supply head
The overall

discharge

a ram size can be chosen to pump water at the

at a maximum overall

Qs

head, and supply

(metres)

of a ram depends on the materials

make the rem, the design

of the ram, and its

very much less than that

quoted by Blakes Hydrsms Ltd.

used to

tuning - the efficiency

cannot be
calculated
from basic principles.
However, if a ram is designed to the general
of operation will not be
recommendations given in this manual, its efficiency

and Tables 2 and 3 msg be used with

&ample cf ram design calculation

for

their

equipment,

confidence.

Site measurements:
Supply Head (Hs)
Delivery Head (hd)

5.0 metres

= 40.0 metres

Amount to be
= 8500 litres
( q,.J>
pw=d/dw
From Table 2, with H3 = 5.0 m, hd = 40.0 m, and if the flow rate down
then 118 litres
of water will be pumped each
the drive pipe is 1 litre/min,
day to the header tank.
But 8500 litres/dsy
can pump this

are needed .,t the header tank,

needs to be able to use a supply

QS =G
bore greater

than 63.5 mm.

31.

flow of:-

= 72.0 litres/min

Now, from Table 3, a Blakes No. j& ram will

with an internal

and the rsm which

be satisfactory,

or a ram

laboratory tests carried out on the ram built from

5* Part 1 instructions.
The rsm pump described
in the laboratory.

5.1

in Part

Our observations

1 of this
are given

was constructed

and tested

below.

OPERATINGTEI4:M.
The ram can be made to operate
a) to pump as much water
This means that
than the flow
b) to operate

for different

conditions:-

(qd) as possible

up to the header tank.

the flow at the source must always be greater

into

with

the drive

a limited

then wori; with

5 .2

manual,

this

pipe.

flow

flow

from the source.

(Qs) at the highest

The water level

at the source should

the drive

or the ram will

pipe,

The pump must

efficiency

possible.

always cover the inlet

suck in air

to

and cease to work.

OBSZFLVATIONS
ON RAM BEZAVIOUL
The following

general

remarks may be made:-

a) the pumping rate

stroke

and spring

adjustment

bolt

is quite
b)

(qd) reached a peak during

there

are several

different
tension,

tuning

the ram with

(SAB), and spring

critical

which give
setting

tension;

tension

but is very simple

positions

adjustment

bolt

and using

be chosen in order

(qd),

stroke,

the smallest

but using

the lowest

water.

(Q3). The
spring

amount of water,

to reduce valve

32.

(STB)

in practice.

amounts of water from the source

the shortest

the stroke

of both the SAB and STB

the same pumping rate

with

of valve

should

wear and wastage of

);
8.
c)

adding weights
tension
this

needed for

spring

slow beating

msy be necessary

when tuning

5.3

to the valve

will

on large

or the spring

for high

supply

reduce

the spring

stroke

will

lengths;

become distorted

heads.

TJ?Sl!INGTHERAM.
The ram was constructed

in the way described in Part 1 and tested in the

The supply and delivery
heads
8; laborstory
for a wide range of valve settings.
were kept constant throughout the tests, and our results msy well form a
different
pattern to those of a ram tested under different
heads.
The impulse

valve

was tuned in the way described above, and the pumping

spring tension (W), valve beat, and stroke (S),
rate (qd), s"&&
f1ow (s>,
measured and recorded. The spring tension (W) was the force required to just
hold the valve

closed with

spring

attached

balance

Other tests
onto the impulse

no water flowing;

to the impulse

were carried,out
valve

bolt

The STB was not adjusted,

it

valve

was measured using

a small

bolt.

on the ram in a similar

and taking

readings

and the valve

stroke

way by adding weights

as the valve

stroke

was reduced.

was not measured. These are tests

, Bl, B2 and B3 in Table 4.

5.4

TEST RESULTS
The results

' tions

of our tests

are given

in Table 4 and the following

observa-

can be made:a)

At a valve

stroke

of 11 mm the force

was 0.91 kgm, and the valve

required

to shut tine valve

did not shut by itsalf

when water

flowed.
b)

At each valve

stroke

setting,

increased

the pressure

the valve.

The supply

spring

tension,

giving

The peak pumping rate

c)

different

does not necessarily

decreased

it

possible

the ram at the initial

to the impulse

will

using
lengthen

,+i_

33.

the life

mean that

efficiency

(E).

the amount of

beat does not

of the ram, except

down the drive

weights

(qd).

STB setting.

valve

the performance

needs less water

that

tension

beat varied

pumping rates

stroke

spring

and valve

Dec.;%asing the valve

that

(g)

greatest

seem to improve
If-

flow

at its

Adding weights

the spring

of water needed from the flow

the ram is operating

flow through
d)

increasing

instead
of.the

pipe.

It

of tensioning
spring.

is
the

to shut
with

PAGE

PART II A MORE TECHNICAL

1.
2.

3*

Introduction
Ram performance
Some design considerations.
materials.
3.1 Construction
3.2

4.
5.

Drive

pipe

3.3 Impulse valve.

3.4 Delivery valve.
3.5 Air chamber
3.6 Air valve
3.7 Delivery pipe from ram to header tank.
Designingthe ram size.
laboratory tests carried out on the ram built from
part 1 instructions.
4
5.1 Operating the ram
5.2

6.
7.

LOOK AT HYDRAULIC

Observations

on ram behaviour

5.3 Testing the ram

5.4 Test results
Annotated bibliography
Appendix
Some suggestions

for improvements

RAM PUMPS
23
23
25
25
25
27
2%
28

29
29
31
32
32
32
33
33
35
38

to the ram

Table 4.

Test results

on automatic

Supply Head (Hs)

hydraulic

ram.

= 1.7Om Delivery

Head (hd)

= 4.04m

qd x hd x lOC$
Efficiency
Test
NO.

Spring
Tension
W (Kgms)

Al

0.91

A2

0.78
0.82

A3

A4

A5

Bl

E =

Valve
Stroke
b4

Qs x H6
Valve
Beats
(cycles/min)

0.96
0.64
0.77
0.87

8.0
8.0
8.0

E
45

0.54
0.64
0.82
0.95

2.31

.160
2
96

66

152
128
104
;8"

B2

4.60

154
132
100

76
33

9.14

QS

o&n)

(L/min:

2.60
2.70
2.40

21.10

29

;x: .

32
25

2.50
2.80

15.64

1.90

23.70

2.35
2.82
2.60
2.40

10.85
14.66
lg.06
23.44

1.32

1.76
2.00
2.42
2.68

6.46
7.40
8.50
11.30
15.76

1.25
1.50

5.40

11.00
;:;
.

0.36
0.45
0.59 .
0.73
0.82

'd

250
116

34.

12'2
2123
%!
2:02
2.24

0.72
2.00

18.02

:;
19
::

32
24
49

57
:s

40

8'62;
12:u
12.64
6.71
6.68
10.46
14.31

46
37

2.85
8.34

60
57

zi

PAGE

PART 1

1.
2.

3.

HOW TO MAKE AND INSTALL A SIMPLE RAM PUMP

CONSTRUCTED FROM WATER PIPE FITTINGS
A Description
How it works
Is your site suitable for the ram?
3.1 Neasuring the flow of water at .the source.

3.2

4.

a small

b) Measuring

larger

Neasuring

and delivery

Choosing the size of the drive

heads.

pipe.

4.3 Choosing the size of the delivery

4.4 Choosing the size of header tank.
Building the ram.
5.1B An alternative
5.2

9.

such as a spring.

flows.

the supply

5.l.A Making the impulse

6.
7.
0.

flow,

Designingthe ram.
4.1 Bow much water can the ran pump.
4.2

5.

a) Measuring

valve.

impulse

Making the delivery

valve

valve.

5.3 Making the air chamber.

,5.4 Making the mounting legs.
Assembling the ram at the site.
Tuning the ram.
What to do if the ram doesnt work.
Maintenance of tha ram after installation,
9.1

The supply

source

9.2

Maintenance

tasks

9.3

Frequency

of maintenance.

iii

pipe.
10
12

13
16
13
13
19
19
21
22
22
22
22

6.

Annotated
Hydraulic

6.1

Bibliography
Ram

Y!he Automatic
~01.164,

for the Automatic

Hydraulic

Ram" - J. Krol,

1951

PROC.I.MECH.E.,

pp.103

This paper gives

a thorcub

analysis

of the theoretical

cycle

of operation

of the hydrsu1io ram in terms of the physical

dimensions
of the materials
-making up the rem* It emphasises the
and properties
importance

of the correct

curves'for

the experimental

of the impulse

This is a most useful

and impulse
technical

valve.

Performance

with I-Is = 13 ft

ram are given,

(5 ems), hd varied,

D= 2 inches
varied.

tuning

valve

(4 metres),

characteristics

paper.

"After describing
the operation of a typical
hydraulic
ram
tkie paper reviews the fundamentals of the water hammer as

installation,

a prerequisite
to the proper understanding
of the limitations
of this
hydraulic
machine The historical
development is discussed in some detail

with

the object

done. The author

presents

general

laws of mechanics

imental

hydraulic

satisfactorily
ties

his

valve;

with

experiment,

hydraulic

of retardation."

6.2

"The Hydraulic
Extensive

initive

pipe;

and by certain

parameters

and the ooefficient

in turn

and it

in machines of pZWtiCa1

r
;..;.
"
'..j, '. I

by experiment:

and (d) head lost

out to understand

during

19th,1957.

the

ram. This is perhaps

the most def-

of opezation

ram installation

number is reduced to eight.

are needed to describe

the dependent

number, the Froude number,

is found that
size and that

influence.

of a hydraulic

their

of fluid

friction.

and (subject

the Each number,

Each parameter

is in-

the Reynolds number is ineffective

a r%,nge exists

over which the Mach

The Froude number is the criterion

35.
_

separately

proper-

THE ENGINEER, April

variables

assumptions

These are the Reynolds

possibility

Calvert,

independent

variables.

number has little

four

paper available:-

dimensionless

vestigated

the behaviour

of head due to the impulse

were carried

Hence five

the head ratio

exper-

which agrees

the following

vales;

of the hydraulic

of

designed

to forecast

that

(b) loss

Ram'@- LG.

experiments

'The possible
are considered

is possible

of the impulse

characteristics

technical

developed,

have been determined

(c) drag coefficient

the period

it

to be

based on the application

rsm, provided

of head in the drive

performance

own theory

work remained

to the study of a specially

at a given installation

(a) loss

what research

ram. By means of a theory

of aqy automatic
I

of ascertaining

to a satisfactory

value

defining
for

the

the Frcude

FIG.1

!lXEARRANGEWE~ OF A TYPICAL IUMASSENBLY

RAM baav

the 'head'
For instance,
not pumping,
air

The vertical
distance between two water levels is known as
of water available
and is a measure of the water pressure.
the pressure

in the ram body when it

is known as the supply

chamber with

the delivery

valve

head; similarly
closed,

is till

of water and

the pressure

is the delivery

head.

in the

nmber),

output

and efficiency

external

conditions

are defined

of operation
are laid

are investigated

governing

model test:

6.3.

"Drive Pipe of Hydraulic

December 26th, 1056

methods of dimensicnal
. relevant
icient,

and the conditions

%uP - N.G.Calvert,

article

of the drive

(Calve&,

analysis

to a hydraulic

and Xach. Of these the first

significant.

In the present

from the whole installation)

of drive

the

The

the friction
coeffto those of Froude,

were shown to be the most

the ram itself

variable

as the L/D value

applied

(as distinct

as an entity.

and the relevant

The length
dimension-

the pipe. As with all the other

factors connected with the hydraulic
ram, knowledge of the hest length of
Records of systematic experiments
on this
drive pipe is purely empirical.
variable

is.taken

pipe.

ram installation.

has been considered

pipe then becomes an extm

less ratio

three

investigation

in reference

1957) the author

parameters were shown to be the head ratio,

and the dimensionless
numbers corresponding

Regolds

THE ENGINEER

of the work described

to the dimensions

"In <an earlier

Theloptimum

downer.

This paDer is a Continuation

6.2. and Gives limits

by the head ratio.

are rare;

the author

for

does not know of sny since

those of mtelwein

expressions
for ram performance
(1951) developed analytic
(1803). Krol
terms of drive pipe length and hence predicted
a set of characteristic
curves,

but produced

6.4

YIydraulic

no experimental

Ram as a Suction

209, April

vol.

An adaption
described;

possible

the emptying
many other

65

of the hydraulic
applications

Ram'for Rival

FLUID HANDLING, October

A general
worked out.

description

The impulse

difficult

to tune.

6.6

~*AEydraulic

valve

F~rnp~~- N.G.Calvert,

THE ENGINEER,

ram to act as a suction

pump is

might include the drainage of low lying land,

etc. The hydraulic
ram can be adaptable to
pits,

such as a compressor,

"The Hydraulic

of them."

1960, pp.608

18th,

of canal~locks,

uses,

work in support

in

motor,

etc.

Water SupplyV' - F.Molyneux,

196O,,pp.274

of the hydraulic
is a weighted

Ram for Village

Working instructions

a design problem

ball,

which would be very

lJset' - V.I.T.A.,

and drawings

36.

rubber

ram, with

U.S.A.

on how to construct

a small,

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.
2.
3.
4.

Daily pumping rates by the ram for different

supply and delivery heads
Pumping performance of Blake8 rams
Capacity of Blakes rsms
Test results on ram pump described in Part 1.

30
30
34

LIST OF FIGURES

Rig. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6:
7.

The aangement of a typical ram assembly

Flow of water over a triangular
V-notch
General arrangement of rsm constructed from
pipe fittings.
Conetruotion of Impulse Valve
Constnrction of Delivery Valve
Magrams showing one pressure pulse cycle of
hydraulic mm
Comparison of different
materials used to make
ram

vi
4
11
14
17
24
26

simple hydraulic

rsm from commercially

ram described

available

water pipe fittings.

had a supply head Ha = 6.5 m, delivery

delivery
discharge
discharge Q s = 35 litres/min,
thus only used for small water supplies.
The impulse
delivery

valve

is a simple

is designed
clack

Technical

Service

head h, = 14 m, supply

qd

= 7 litres/min.

It

is

to act on a sprung mechan?sm; the

valve.

"How to Design and Build

6.7

ation

valve

The

a Hydraulic

Publishing

Ram" - Technical

Co., Chicago,

Bulletin,

1938.

and installA manual on the field

survey, design, construction,
of a simple hydraulic
ram, giving step by step instructions;
it

includes

design

the impulse

valve

and performance

graphs of the ram. This is a useful

of the ram appears to be unduly

would not appear to be an improvement

l%ife

6.8

complicated,

and the ram

on the VITA ram.

Rsms - a Manual of Information"

Maruzfacturing

paper;

- Rife Hydraulic

Co., Box 367, Millburn,

New Jersey,

E&gine

U.S.A.

This manual refers to the rams manufactured by the company,

but it gives an excellent
set of instructions
on tie field survey, design,
constNction,
and installation
of their equipment.'
YRlake Hydrams" - John Blake Ltd.,

6.9

Accrington,

published

J. Wright

Clarke

- YHydraulic

Rams, their

1899

B.T. Botsford,

94 High Holborn,

This technical

book written

the adoptions
infomtion

other

references

and

London.

in 1899 describes

hydraulic

rams. It

of the ram on the inferior

needed to cope with

little

principles

8Opp

time to constnrct

the effect

manual used information

in this

constructiont'.

used in that

6.11

BB5 5LP, UK.

Much of the design information

by J. Blake Ltd.

6.10

describes

Lancashire,

PO Box 43, Royal Works,

given in this

is interesting

materials

the lower strengths.

publication

that

the techniques
as it

of the time and

However, there

is not given

in the

cited.

"Aa Innovation
in 'Nater Ram Pumps for
Irrigation
Use" - P.D. Stsvens-Guille,
TEC!T~OLOGY
Mhy 1978 vol. 5 no. 1

This artiole
describes a hydraulic
two commercially
available
valves.

377.

Domestic and
APPROPRIA!P~

ram which incorporates

is

7. Appendix
SCMESUGGESTIONSlQRIMPRCVEMENTSTOTHN RAM.
Received from N. Martin

1.

& R.Burton,

Engineering,
Papua New Guinea University
Lae, Papua New Guinea,
Experimental
this

work on simple
A suggestion

University.

the ram body should

valve

valve

valve
prevents

Several

2.

ram pumps is being

by a plugged

carried

the elbow bend on

ITI junction.

out the ram without

out at

taking

The plug
the impulse

also suggest

that the rubber washer for the

out of the
is not needed, as the cushion of water floving
hammering and wear.

different

pump have been tested

Details

P.O.Box 793,

to pieces.

These writers
impulse

of Mechanical

of Technology,

has been made that

be replaced

can then be removed to flush

Department

can be obtained

designs
at Eindhoven

for

the automatic

Technical

hydraulic

College,

ram

Holland.

from:Appropriate
Technische

Technology
Hogeschool

EINBHOVEN,HOLLAND.

Unit,
Eindhoven,

Alternative

3.
Unit,

impulse

Karen Centre,

The impulse
an alternative
it

design

near.Nairobi,

se+

by UNICEF Village

valve in the drawing overleaf

has been constructed
as
to the leaf spring operated valve given in this manual -

was wound from 14 gauge (2mm) fencing

adjustedand

'locked

by the two lower

controlled

and fixed

A further

improvement

non-galvanised
there

appears

(UBICEF)

Technology

Kenya:

has proved a reliable

and satisfactory
alternative.
The valve yoke is welded on to a reducing
bush (3"

The spring
is

valve

water

have therefore

and its

The valve

travel

a bushing

(i"

bolt

slide,

tension

by the two upper nuts.

would be to include

pipe)

to be little

nuts.

wire

x 2" in our case).

in which

the long

friction

between

not incorporated

39.

it.

this

could
bolt

and the

although
yoke.

We

it;

t-3=---+
*

16-I; 77
UNICEF, Nairobi