Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #01541
To: "'Steven Bolt'" sbolt@xs4all.nl
From: "van Zoelen, Bram SSI-TSEA-352" Bram.A.A.vanZoelen@is.shell.com
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:13:03 +0100
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: `Green Thumb'
The resorvoir don't have to be right above the plant. It can be at a
different location as long as the surfave of the water is above the level of
the dripping point. A pump isn't necessary because you can make use of the
phenomen of 'communication vessels'. In Dutch its called 'hevelen'. Then all
you need is a valve to stop the flow. If you use a valve that is closed
while not operated then you only need energy when you want to open it.
Hence the system has a safety in it and the resorvoir stay filled as the
power drops off.
Other thoughts.
- Valves can have their own solarpower unit and be controled by the
'green-thumb'.
- Since there is only a very low pressure on the value [a few mmHg] you
probally can make
a valve as a balancing system.
[courier 10p]
A schematic drawing just to get an idea
A || Tube
/\ ||
|| ||
====o====
\
/
\ Spring The spring can be attached to the tube. A is the
direction of the force to open
/ the valve. This can be done by a electromagnet or a
motor. You can make the
\ valve also as a rotary disk with as opening. A motor
turns it a 1/4 circle and the
| opening turns under the tube. The next power-cycle
the valve closes again. You
--- can make this also spring/weight loaded. Too many
options to mention here.
An other way is to open a valve in a larger part of the tube momentarely
because the applied power
from the solar-engine can provide only short bursts. Because you opens a
wide valve there wil flow
a large amount of water into a accumulator. This accumulator will be in open
connection to the
dripping point and will empty itself slowly in time.
Sorry, too many thoughts at the moment bubbling up :0)
Bram
> ----------
> From: Steven Bolt[SMTP:sbolt@xs4all.nl]
> Reply To: Steven Bolt
> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 1:37 PM
> To: van Zoelen, Bram SSI-TSEA-352
> Cc: beam@corp.sgi.com
> Subject: RE: `Green Thumb'
>
> On Tue, 16 Mar 1999, van Zoelen, Bram SSI-TSEA-352 wrote:
>
> > But some thoughts for further developement.
> > Put the surplus of energy you got from the solarcel into a capacitor
> like a
> > solar engine.
> > With this stored energy you can control a 'normal-closed' valve thats in
> a
> > dripping system.
> > This way you only have to fill a large resorvoir with water and the
> plant
> > will get water on demand.
>
> Of course I have been thinking about that :)
>
> There are a few problems:
>
> 1) A reservoir above the plant is not so easy to realize,
> difficult to refill and not quite fail-safe.
> 2) Standard valves aren't suitable for micropower systems.
>
> The best way to go is likely to be a flat reservoir, serving as a
> fat coaster for the pot to stand on. The sensor might then command
> a pump. However, really efficient pumps are difficult to find/design...
>
> Best,
>
> Steve
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> # sbolt@xs4all.nl # Steven Bolt # popular science monthly KIJK #
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
eGroup home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/alt-beam
Free Web-based e-mail groups by eGroups.com
Home