East Hill Surfers Flow Control Device Elegant...

Reliable...

Precise...

And DEAD SEXY.

Developing The Design Define Criteria Generate Choices Pick it out

FCD Criteria Clogging Resistance SizeReliabilityCost Ease of Use / Maintenance Universality

Variable Torque Bucket Floating Inlet Air Inlet Prime Design Choices Toilet Float Plug Float

Device Decision Matrix

Conventional Toilet Lever Valve Schematic Inlet Flow F = A γh L1L1 L2L2 Float Buoyant Force = F B Pin Calculations showed that a lever was excessive for given design parametersCalculations showed that a lever was excessive for given design parameters A simple float could control the low flow rates without a lever arm to amplify the magnitudeA simple float could control the low flow rates without a lever arm to amplify the magnitude

Simple Float Valve FCD 8.3 cm 11.0 cm 0.5 cm 4.4 cm 6.5 cm 2 mm 2.3 cm 9.1 cm 2 mm 5.6 cm 1.5 cm 2 cm 5.2 cmHousing Dimensions: ID = 7.85 cm OD = 8.8 cm Float mass: 6 grams IV roller clamp Rubber tip Barb tubing adapter PVC stem IV tubing (~10 drops/mL)

Testing Apparatus Assembled PrototypeTesting Apparatus

FCD Water Column Manual Valve 7 kPa Pressure Senor – Logs readings to Easy Data

FCD Performance

Clogging Experiment  Process Controller used to meter water into 10 cm tube. Refilled after head dropped by 40 cm.  Interested in flow rate changes for each 40 cm head drop as well as over several days.

Clogging Data

What We Learned  Low flow presents lots of problems  Complex and simple designs often do the same job  It is easy to overlook valuable solutions  A simple device can have vast implications in the developing world

Further Research  Is there a manufactured device like this already out there? Cost comparison  Cleaning mechanisms  Manufacturing Costs and Opportunities  Material Selection  Maximum head capabilities - Sizing

Steve Achieves Inner Constant Flow