To: Homestead mailing list digest <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Homestead] Physical Properties of Hand-Operated Well Pumps
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 16:39:26 -0700
Today I had a few new ideas on designing the simplest vapor engine
ever. It's all made out of cheap, replaceable tubing.
Before I can get any more specific with my design, I have to know
certain things about hand-operated water pumps, since that's the load my
engine is expected to drive. I played around with an old-fashioned pump
some when I was a kid, but now I don't have access to one. It seems to
me that once the pump is primed, water flow can be maintained with only
short strokes, but as I recall they must be frequent, depending on the
state of the check valve.
I need to know things like the minimum amount of force required to drive
the handle (both up and down), the minimum length of stroke required to
maintain the flow, and the minimum speed requirements, if any, and the
associated rate of water flow. Maybe someone knows of a mannufacturers
website with some specs. At this point I'd be happy to hear any
anecdotes that might give me some clue.
Bill
[Homestead] Physical Properties of Hand-Operated Well Pumps,
Bill Jones, 10/04/2004