Water flows through the pump and closes the waste valve this causes a pressure wave which opens the check valve and sends water out into the delivery pipe and into the chamber pressurising the air in it. The pressurised air gives the delivery pipe 'charge' an extra boost. At the same time the initial pressure wave opens the waste valve and water starts to flow through the pump again until it's rate of flow closes the waste valve again and thus begins a new cycle.
See Diagram below.
The drive pipe is a rigid pipe which perfoms the task of providing the required 'fall' of water into the pump and it also 'contains' the pressure wave created each time the pump cycles (Normally around once a second). It's length can be tuned depending on the installation, but is normally between the limits shown on the graph in Technical Specs.
The Waste Valve closes when the flow of water through the pump reaches a certain level, and creates the pressure wave which is the basis of the ram pump operation. It opens again with the back pressure wave allowing the cycle to begin again.
The Check Valve allows water flowing through the pump to be re-directed to the Delivery Pipe. It closes when the Pressure Chamber forces water out of the Delivery Pipe, stopping water going out of the Delivery Pipe from flowing back into the pump body.
The Air Chamber is pressurised by the action of the pump and is critical to pump performance as it provides a boost to the pumped water flowing out through the Delivery Pipe. It also smooths out the pulses in the Delivery Pipe.
The Delivery Pipe runs from the pump outlet to wherever the water is needed, normally many feet from the pump and at a considerablly greater height. Anti-kink hose should be used to ensure constant delivery.
