Transcript from the bottom of the well upward

How a Windmill Works
by
Aermotor Windmill Company, Inc.
Table of Contents
Overview
Water Well
Windmill Parts
Lifting Water
Cylinder Pump
Windmill
Overview
Groundwater is one part of the earth’s natural water
cycle.
The vast majority of fresh water in the world is
groundwater stored deep in the earth’s crust within
underground aquifers.
Modern drilled water wells give people access to
groundwater in a safe, dependable way.
A windmill converts the kinetic energy of the wind into
mechanical power. This power drives an underground
pump which lifts groundwater to the surface where it can
be stored and used.
Groundwater is
one part of the
earth’s natural
water cycle.
The vast majority of
fresh water in the
world is groundwater
stored deep in the
earth’s crust within
underground
aquifers.
Modern drilled
water wells give
people access to
groundwater in a
safe, dependable
way.
A windmill
converts the
kinetic energy of
the wind into
mechanical power.
This power drives
an underground
pump which lifts
groundwater to
the surface where
it can be stored
and used.
Water Well
A water well is a relatively small-diameter hole drilled
into the earth's crust. As the well is drilled, the hole
passes through various underground layers until it
extends into an aquifer, or water-bearing formation.
The well wall is reinforced then perforated to allow
groundwater from the aquifer to seep into the well.
Gravity causes the water in the well to rise to the level of
the underground water table.
A "drop pipe" is inserted into the well until it is fully
immersed in the water at the bottom of the well.
At the bottom of this drop pipe is a cylinder pump. It
repeatedly ratchets water upward through the drop pipe
by building a "water column."
As this water column reaches the top of the drop pipe it
spills into a storage tank.
Windmill Parts
Wheel and motor
Tower
Connecting rods
Cylinder pump
Wheel and motor
Tower
Connecting rods
Cylinder pump
Parts
The tower positions the windmill wheel and motor high
above the ground where the wind is constant and
unobstructed by trees and man-made structures.
The windmill’s wheel captures the wind’s kinetic energy
the same way a sailboat’s aerodynamic sail captures
the wind and drives it across the surface of the ocean.
As wind strikes the windmill’s wheel (made of individual
“sails”) the kinetic energy is converted into the rotating
energy you can see — a windmill’s wheel turning in the
breeze.
The windmill’s motor then converts this rotating energy
into reciprocating (up-and-down) power through
mechanical gearing. Reciprocating power drives the
cylinder pump located deep underground in the well.
Long connecting rods transmit the power from the
windmill motor to the cylinder pump.
Wheel and motor
Tower
Connecting rods
Cylinder pump
Lifting Water
A windmill lifts groundwater by building a water column
from the bottom of the well upward.
By creating a one-way flow of water within the drop
pipe, water is ratcheted upward until the water column
spills out the top of the pipe into a storage tank.
water column
water column
water column
water column
water storage
Cylinder Pump Overview
The cylinder pump is the heart of the water well. It
repeatedly builds the water column within the drop pipe,
from the bottom of the well upward.
This takes place by creating a one-way flow of water
within the drop pipe and constantly ratcheting water
upward.
Cylinder Pump
Top Valve
(Plunger)
Lower Valve
(Check)
Cylinder Pump
Keep several things in mind:
1. Only the plunger moves. The plunger's seal is
watertight but moveable within the drop pipe. As the
plunger slides up and down, it creates a pumping action.
2. Water can only flow upward through the valves. It's
strictly an upward, one-way flow of water.
3. Each valve has a watertight seal at its base. Water
passes through the valve's bottom then up-and-out
through the valve's side vents.
4. When a valve's ball is down, the valve is closed.
When a valve's ball is up, the valve is open.
Cylinder Pump (continued)
5. The lower check valve is fixed in position. Water
enters through the strainer then flows upward through
the check valve into the cylinder.
6. When the wind stops blowing, both valves close and
pumping stops. The water column above the plunger
and the cylinder water trapped between the two valves
are held in place.
When the wind begins to blow again, pumping resumes.
Cylinder Pump Sequence
The position of the yellow balls in the next set of
illustrations is important:
When the ball is "up," the valve is open.
When the ball is "down," the valve is closed.
Idle
Plunger
lifts the
water
column...
& draws
water
through
check
valve.
Check
valve
closes...
as plunger
passes
through
cylinder.
Cylinder Pump Sequence
The simultaneous opening and closing of both valves
creates the pumping effect that draws water in from the
well, moves it through the cylinder then adds it to the
bottom of the water column.
The power to do this comes from the reciprocating
(upstroke and downstroke) motion created by the
windmill.
Cylinder Pump Sequence
Upstroke
On the upstroke, plunger closes and the check valve
opens. Water above the plunger (the water column) is
lifted. This lifting motion also creates a vacuum between
the plunger and the check valve. This vacuum opens
the check valve, and well water flows up through the
strainer into the cylinder.
Downstroke
On the downstroke, the plunger opens and the check
valve closes. This allows the plunger to pass through
the water being held in the cylinder by the closed lower
check valve. This downstroke forms the new bottom of
the water column.
Upstroke
Idle
Plunger
lifts the
water
column...
& draws
water
through
check
valve.
Downstroke
Check
valve
closes...
as plunger
passes
through
cylinder.
Cylinder Pumping Action
Slowly advance through the next six slides to observe
the movement of the plunger and the opening and
closing of the valves.
This is the pumping action that lifts water to the surface.
Windmills
An Aermotor windmill is one of the most durable,
efficient mechanical systems ever devised to lift
groundwater to the surface.
Its energy source is the wind, a renewable and clean
energy source.
Its mechanical design is elegant, simple and ingenious.
Its incredible 120-year record for durability and longevity
is unmatched.
It is made in the USA.
The Aermotor Windmill Company, Inc. manufactures the
best windmill, at the best price, made in the USA.
Copyright 2009
Aermotor Windmill Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 5110
San Angelo, TX 76902
800-854-1656 Sales Toll Free
325-651-4951 Office
325-651-4948 FAX
aermotorwindmill.com