Hydraulic Ram Pumps (Hydrams)¶
A Hydraulic Ram Pump is an automatic pumping device that uses the kinetic energy of flowing water to pump a portion of that water to a higher elevation without any electricity or fuel.
Operating Principle (The Water Hammer Effect)¶
[ Stream / Spring ]
│
▼ (Drive Fall: H)
══════════════════╗
║
║ Drive Pipe
║
▼
┌───────────┴───────────┐
│ Air Pressure Chamber│ ──► Delivery Pipe (Lift: h)
├───────────────────────┤
│ Delivery Check Valve │
├───────────────────────┤
│ Waste/Impulse Valve │ ──► Waste Runoff
└───────────────────────┘
- Kinetic Impulse: When the waste valve slams shut, dynamic pressure forces water through a check valve into an air pressure chamber, propelling water up the delivery pipe.
- Continuous Operation: Runs 24/7/365 as long as water flows in the drive stream.
- Lift Ratio: Can pump water 5× to 25× the drive fall height.