Hydraulic Rams

A hydraulic ram or hydram is a cyclic water pump powered by hydropower. It works as a hydraulic transformer that takes in water from one hydraulic head and flow rate, and outputs it at a higher hydraulic head and a lower flow rate. This device uses the water hammer effect to produce pressure that allows a portion of the input water that powers the pump, to a point higher than the original level it started. It is used in remote places where there is a need for pumping water to higher locations where there must be a source of low head hydro power. It is in this situation where the ram is very useful since it requires no power source other than the kinetic power of the waters energy. It has only two moving parts, a waste valve and a check valve making it relatively cheap and reliable.