Aermotor Windmill Company, Inc. 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 Downstroke Idle Plunger lifts the water column... & draws water through check valve. 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