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BAE 242: Engineering Analysis and Design: Project Description

Design Project Description

Design Project Description

Your Team is to design, build, and test a prototype fulcrum-type handle, mounting hardware, and riser-pipe debris protection.

Motivation
The T-handle design currently used on pumps Qualls has installed in Kenya requires the user to work against gravity on the water-lifting stroke and without the benefit of any mechanical advantage (i.e., leverage).  Especially for deeper wells, it requires significant strength to operate the pump, making it difficult particularly for young children.  Currently the top of the riser pipe (pipe that carries water up from the pump situated below the groundwater table to the surface) is open, and people (children?) toss debris into the open pipe (e.g., rocks, wires, screws, nuts) which damage the pump, and/or the footvalve.

Team Project:  design and build a prototype fulcrum-style pump to gain mechanical advantage and make pumping easier.  Include in your design a debris protection device.

Criteria / Constraints

Criteria/Constraints

  • Mounting/attachment hardware must be designed which fit on existing pump stands (details of pump stand to be provided separately).
  • Any attachments to 3” base pipe must be removable since the base pipe is set in concrete and welding and repairs cannot be done at well sites.
  • The specified design must minimize lateral movement of the pump rod such that the pump rod remains vertical, does not touch the inside walls of the riser pipe, and functions in accordance with the riser pipe debris protection device which your team will design.
  • Must be operable by persons ranging in height from children 44 inches in height up to adults.  A stepping stool may be specified to accommodate the range of heights, or some other design aspect may be incorporated.  Decide on a height that is optimal for your design (with justification for your selected height), and describe accommodations for other heights as needed.
  • Design must be suitable for pumping water from a depth ranging between 20 feet and 80 feet below ground.  Design specifically for a 50 foot pumping lift, with specifications for simple modifications that can be made to accommodate lifts of 20 feet and 80 feet
  • Materials specified must be available locally in Kitale, Kenya (sample list of available materials and costs to be provided separately).
  • Your design should be economical, simple, strong and durable. 
  • It should be able to be manufactured in a simple machine/welding shop.

Sample List

Sample List of Locally Available Material for Kenya

Steel :

Flat bar (e.g., 1” x ¼”x 6m)

Angle Iron (6 m lengths of 1”x1/8”; 1.25” x 3/16”; 1.5”x3/16”, 1.5” x ¼”

Pipe (6 m lengths of 1”, 2”, 2.5”, 3”, 4” diameters)

Solid round bar (6 m length, 1/2” diameter)

Rebar (Concrete reinforcing bar; 12 m lengths of 10 mm, 12.7 mm diameter)

PVC

1” pipe

PVC fittings:

1” male pipe thread x slip (glue fitting)

1” female pipe thread x slip

¾” male pipe thread x slip

¾” female pipe thread x slip

Reducing bushings (1/2” x ¾”; ¾” x 1”; 1” x 1.5”)

Ask if you have something particular in mind; I’ll answer as best as I can regarding availability.

Wood

Can cut desired sizes, but without very high precision (e.g., 2” x 4” +- ½ inch, varying along the length of the board)