Hydraulic ram pumps and Sling Pumps

Sling Pump (from Internet Glossary of Pumps)Sling PumpThe Sling Pump, with only one moving part, is a modern application of an ArchimedesSnail Pump. A helical intake coil is wrapped around and around the inside surface of acone. The coil is connected to an output tube via a water-lubricated swivel coupling atthe extreme upstream side of the pump and is open at the downstream (fat) end. Thedownstream end of the cone has slats to let water in but keep debris out. A rope or pair ofropes holds it in place.The pump floats partially submerged, being largely of plastic, with aluminum propellerblades and bouyant styrofoam in the nose. With each revolution of the cone, the coilpicks up air during the top portion of the cycle and water during the bottom portion. Thiscauses a pulsed output, and also means the output water is highly oxygenated. The RifeHydraulic Engine Mfg. Co., Inc. claims some models of their Sling Pumps (inset) canraise water over 80 feet high or move it a mile horizonally, from a stream moving at just1.5 feet per second. (Head doesn't change with speed, only volume.) The unit weighsabout 44 lbs. and uses a 1/2" hose.http://www.animatedsoftware.com/pumpglos/gl_sling.htm (1 of 3) [1/13/2005 12:43:29 PM]