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Bilge Pump design
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Posted by: krazyd ®

12/08/2005, 09:50:33

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Hi guys,
I have a mechanical design project for which I would appreciate any suggestions. Basically I have to design A self-acting unit to automatically drain the bilge of a small boat whilst it lies unattended. An automatic bilge pump is considered uneconomical and use of a hand operated pump or hand bailer requires frequent,unwanted visits to check the state of the boat. The sun,the wind or the natural movement of the boat on the waves can provide sufficient energy to remove the bilge water, if a suitable pumping unit could be designed to harness this energy. The device must be reliable and robust and relatively cheap. The device must run with natural renewable energy as a power source and the device must be light (15-20kg). It is preferrable if the device is of a nature that is generally unnoticed by the casual passer-by. Well thats the design brief. If anyone has any novel ideas or advice please please tell me!!







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Re: Bilge Pump design
: Bilge Pump design -- krazyd Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Adilogic ®

12/08/2005, 14:57:57

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A larger scale mechanism than the one in self-winding watches.
Or try to use the anchors to harness the tension that comes from waves rocking the boat, as you sugested, using a springloaded gear connected to the pump. You might have to use as many anchor points as possible: bottom, fore-aft, port-star (left-right) to capture as much movement as possible. You might have a problem in the continuity of the pump. You might loose suction if the water can't stay in the pump, if the pump is above water level. An energy storage device (presurized tank or generator-battery) might help.
You need big waves though, I mean no pond or small lake waves.







Modified by Administrator at Thu, Dec 08, 2005, 16:11:56


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Re: Bilge Pump design
: Re: Bilge Pump design -- Adilogic Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: smoylan ®

01/05/2006, 06:59:17

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How would you harness this tension? If the tension were to be applied to a piston. Some kind of winch or ratchet mechanism?







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Re: Bilge Pump design
: Bilge Pump design -- krazyd Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: kelly_bramble ®

12/08/2005, 10:09:01

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Well, have you considered removing the bilge drain plug during storage? ;) Don't forget to tilt the boat so gravity helps drain the water..

Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is a wind powered pump. Simply have a wind gage type devices which powers a small pump.

Solar powered bilge pumps have been around for awhile, however I do not think they are cost effective. A battery powered automatic bilge pump should do the job for an extended period.







Modified by Administrator at Thu, Jan 05, 2006, 08:45:29


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