How to build the Air Actuated Water Valve V.1

Written By: Paulo Marini
  • Comments: 1
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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

21

Time Required

01:00:00 - 01:30:00

Sections

1

Flags

0

Introduction

Authors: Lemos-Marini, P. Flecher, J. Coleman, G 2014 with the generous support of FabLab Manchester and Incredible AquaGarden.

Uses

The enhanced features allow:

  • increasing the irrigation frequency in warm days;
  • stop the ebb and flow effect automatically at night for improved aeration of the media;
  • Manage the flow of water in large growbeds when ebb and flow shipons tend not to work
  • Avoid harmonic synchronization when several auto-shipons are installed together

The Valve uses the compressed air from the air pumps (for the fish tank aeration), two air solenoid valves and the Aquaponics Lab monitoring and controlling system.

Although it has no perfect seal, with the pressure utilized, it performs its function well.

Cost of replication

Estimated Cost of replication is around £70 not including Aquaponics Lab monitoring and controlling system. A electronically actuated valve will cost >£350

Drawbacks

This is a working prototype currently in operation and test in our system. Improvements will be needed to have a fully reliable and replicable model. Two areas of attention:

1-The air fitting position is sensitive.

2-The elastomer (inner-tube) is theoretically the weakest point in the system. We are currently testing its durability in real operation.

Log

Elastomer (inner tube) was installed on 12/09/2014

As per 22/08/2015 the elastomer has been working continuously without needing service.

Open Source License

====Copyright Aquaponics Lab 2014==== www.aquaponicslab.org

This documentation describes Open Hardware and is licensed under the

CERN OHL v. 1.2.

You may redistribute and modify this documentation under the terms of the

CERN OHL v.1.2. (http://ohwr.org/cernohl). This documentation is distributed

WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING OF

MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A

PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Please see the CERN OHL v.1.2 for applicable

conditions

    • The video demonstrates the valve in action stopping the flow of water and them resuming it.

    Edit

  2. Drill the centre of the two 110 mm socket plugs using the 64mm hole saw.

    • Drill the centre of the two 110 mm socket plugs using the 64mm hole saw.

    Edit

  3. Fit the tank connector into the place to examine and locate the best possible location for the air connector hole which will be drilled; Drill a hole for the air connector (e.g. the shown position) using the available drill bit. Drill a hole for the air connector (e.g. the shown position) using the available drill bit.

    • Fit the tank connector into the place to examine and locate the best possible location for the air connector hole which will be drilled;

    • Drill a hole for the air connector (e.g. the shown position) using the available drill bit.

    Edit

  4. Cut 2 pieces with 13 cm length from the 50mm diameter pipe. Cut 2 pieces with 13 cm length from the 50mm diameter pipe. Cut 2 pieces with 13 cm length from the 50mm diameter pipe.

    • Cut 2 pieces with 13 cm length from the 50mm diameter pipe.

    Edit

  5. Cut two 10cm pieces of the 50mm diameter pipe; Sand any leftover or rough edge off all the cut pieces. Sand any leftover or rough edge off all the cut pieces.

    • Cut two 10cm pieces of the 50mm diameter pipe;

    • Sand any leftover or rough edge off all the cut pieces.

    Edit

  6. Cut a piece with 35 cm length from the inner-tube; Then cut it again following the fabrication seal to open it flat; Finally cut it one more time in half - same direction which is the direction of the length.

    • Cut a piece with 35 cm length from the inner-tube;

    • Then cut it again following the fabrication seal to open it flat;

    • Finally cut it one more time in half - same direction which is the direction of the length.

    Edit

  7. Cut a 50cm length from the inner-tube. Cut a 50cm length from the inner-tube. Cut a 50cm length from the inner-tube.

    • Cut a 50cm length from the inner-tube.

    Edit

  8. Insert one big o-ring in each one of the 2 tank connectors as shown. Insert one big o-ring in each one of the 2 tank connectors as shown. Insert one big o-ring in each one of the 2 tank connectors as shown.

    • Insert one big o-ring in each one of the 2 tank connectors as shown.

    Edit

  9. Take the 110 mm socket plug with the hole for air connector and insert one of the tank connectors.

    • Take the 110 mm socket plug with the hole for air connector and insert one of the tank connectors.

    Edit

  10. On the same socket plug (from step 9), install the air connector with the small o-ring as shown. On the same socket plug (from step 9), install the air connector with the small o-ring as shown. On the same socket plug (from step 9), install the air connector with the small o-ring as shown.

    • On the same socket plug (from step 9), install the air connector with the small o-ring as shown.

    Edit

  11. Sleeve both sides of 50cm piece of inner-tube( component 2) around the two 13 cm pipe pieces by approximately 8 cm. Sleeve both sides of 50cm piece of inner-tube( component 2) around the two 13 cm pipe pieces by approximately 8 cm. Sleeve both sides of 50cm piece of inner-tube( component 2) around the two 13 cm pipe pieces by approximately 8 cm.

    • Sleeve both sides of 50cm piece of inner-tube( component 2) around the two 13 cm pipe pieces by approximately 8 cm.

    Edit

  12. Wrap one 35cm flat piece of inner tube (Component 1a) tightly on top of one side of the previously sleeved inner-tube (from Step 11). Wrap one 35cm flat piece of inner tube (Component 1a) tightly on top of one side of the previously sleeved inner-tube (from Step 11).

    • Wrap one 35cm flat piece of inner tube (Component 1a) tightly on top of one side of the previously sleeved inner-tube (from Step 11).

    Edit

  13. Screw the Jubille Clip on top of the wrap formed by inner tube (from Step 12) Repeat the same procedure with the other side of the 50cm inner-tube. Repeat the same procedure with the other side of the 50cm inner-tube.

    • Screw the Jubille Clip on top of the wrap formed by inner tube (from Step 12)

    • Repeat the same procedure with the other side of the 50cm inner-tube.

    Edit

  14. Take the socket plug with the tank connector and the installed air fitting and insert one of the sides of sleeved inner-tube into the tank connector as shown in the picture. Take the socket plug with the tank connector and the installed air fitting and insert one of the sides of sleeved inner-tube into the tank connector as shown in the picture.

    • Take the socket plug with the tank connector and the installed air fitting and insert one of the sides of sleeved inner-tube into the tank connector as shown in the picture.

    Edit

  15. Insert the other side of the sleeved inner-tube into the other tank connector. Insert the other side of the sleeved inner-tube into the other tank connector.

    • Insert the other side of the sleeved inner-tube into the other tank connector.

    Edit

  16. Insert the 10 cm pipe on both sides of the tank connector that are still not used (external side)

    • Insert the 10 cm pipe on both sides of the tank connector that are still not used (external side)

    Edit

  17. Fit the two 110 mm double socket connectors into the 110mm acrylic pipe. Fit the two 110 mm double socket connectors into the 110mm acrylic pipe.

    • Fit the two 110 mm double socket connectors into the 110mm acrylic pipe.

    Edit

  18. Insert the other 110mm Socket Plug (without air connector) in one of the 110mm double socket connectors. Insert the other 110mm Socket Plug (without air connector) in one of the 110mm double socket connectors.

    • Insert the other 110mm Socket Plug (without air connector) in one of the 110mm double socket connectors.

    Edit

  19. With the acrylic pipe standing horizontally insert the socket plug with the air connector (attached to the sleeved component) into the acrylic pipe With the acrylic pipe standing horizontally insert the socket plug with the air connector (attached to the sleeved component) into the acrylic pipe With the acrylic pipe standing horizontally insert the socket plug with the air connector (attached to the sleeved component) into the acrylic pipe

    • With the acrylic pipe standing horizontally insert the socket plug with the air connector (attached to the sleeved component) into the acrylic pipe

    Edit

  20. Pull 10 cm pipe from the other side and screw the tank connector as shown in the images Pull 10 cm pipe from the other side and screw the tank connector as shown in the images Pull 10 cm pipe from the other side and screw the tank connector as shown in the images

    • Pull 10 cm pipe from the other side and screw the tank connector as shown in the images

    Edit

  21. The valve is complete.

    • The valve is complete.

    • To run this valve, you will need two air solenoid valves controlled by the Aquaponics Lab Electronic System and an air pump.

    • We will develop the other guide explaining how to do it.

    Edit
Finish Line

Author

Paulo Marini

Member since: 08/13/2014

1,031 Reputation

3 Guides authored

One Comment

Hi did you ever complete the guide to using the pump?

Thanks

Sam

sam bristol - Reply

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