—Where the pump is expected to furnish water to any considerable amount beyond that for household use, it is desirable that the plant be power-driven. If the work of watering stock, lawn sprinkling, etc., is intended, the tank and pump must be enlarged to suit the desired amount of water, and a gasoline engine, windmill or electric motor will be used for power. Where local conditions will permit, a hydraulic ram may be substituted for the pump and the pressure tank used for additional pressure and storage.
Fig. 146.—Tank pump operated by a small gasoline engine.
Fig. 146 shows a plant in which the pump is driven by a gasoline engine. In the figure, the engine E is shown connected by a belt to a speed-reducing device or “jack,” marked J. The object of this machine is to reduce the speed of rotation and charge it to the required motion for operating the pump. The jack is connected to the pump by a rod attached to a large gear, so as to produce the desired crank motion; and the opposite end of the rod is attached to the pump handle. The rod may be detached at any time and the pump worked by hand.
Electric Power Water Supply.
—Fig. 147 shows another type of power plant in which an electric motor operates the pump. In this style of plant, the pulley on the electric motor M is connected by a belt to the large wheel W, from which the crank motion is secured for driving the pump P. This machine is provided with an automatic starting and stopping device, which automatically controls the supply of water in the system. Whenever the pressure in the tank falls to a certain point, the change of pressure produced on the diaphram valve A starts the motor, and the pump sends water into the tank until the pressure in the tank again reaches the amount for which the valve is set, at which time the valve disconnects the electric contact to the motor and the pump stops working.
Fig. 147.—Pressure tank supplied by an electrically driven pump.
Wind-power Water Supply.
—In Fig. 148 is shown a larger and more complete plant than the former, in which a windmill furnishes the power for pumping and a large underground tank is utilized for the main supply of water. The tank marked, Well Water Pressure Tank, in this case is so placed that the end is exposed in the well curb, where the height of the water may be observed at any time. The pump is operated as any other of its kind, but is provided with an automatic pressure cylinder, which controls the operation of the mill through the rise and fall of the water in the tank. At any time the water in the tank falls to a certain point, the pump is thrown into gear by the pressure cylinder, and the water is pumped into the tank until a definite height is reached; at this point the pump is automatically thrown out of gear and remains inactive until an additional supply of water is required. The plant is therefore automatic in its action and requires only that the mill be kept oiled and in running order.