Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #01543
To: 'Steven Bolt' sbolt@xs4all.nl
From: van Zoelen, Bram SSI-TSEA-352 Bram.A.A.vanZoelen@is.shell.com
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 10:41 AM
Subject: 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 #
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
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