Welcome to our updated version of the blog on the Dragon Spine Water-Lift project at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden! We have taken the time since the last blog to research and conceptualize several different design scenarios. This blog outlines these options and eventually settles on a preferred design with our current progress on this project detailed at the end.

Waterlift Functionality

    The water lift consists of four main parts: chain links, paddles, two gears and a channel. The chain links connects all the paddles which is turned by two gears. The paddles are placed into a well fitted channel which allows the paddles to push water up a desired elevation.

Proposed and Researched Designs

    We have looked at multiple designs, most of which are found in a Mandarin context since there is a limited resource regarding the water lift in english. This is one of the designs we looked at, it follows a similar design from our actual choice however the fact that the gears push on paddles instead of notches made it a weaker design. Constant forces applied on paddles will weaken the links significantly and will be much more susceptible to failure.

Figure 1: Model Waterlift #1

    We have based our design on the model displayed below. The basics of the model is similar to the one shown above, the one small detail that caused us to choose this model over the one above is that the gears push the chain with a small notch made into the links. This design makes the water lift links last substantially longer compared to the one above.

Figure 2: Ideal waterwheel design

    The figure below shows early concept art of the potential waterlift. Although the frame of the waterlift as well as the design of the wheel were what we desired, the specifics of this concept needed adjustments. This design is designed based off the ideas presented in figure 1, which suffers the same shortcoming of having the gear pushing the paddle instead of a notch.

Figure 3: Concept art of proposed design

Using the Decision Matrix

    The preferred idea was chosen based on a decision matrix evaluating various aspects of the project. The decision matrix criteria includes: cost, life cycle, aesthetics and functionality. Based on the matrix our chosen design is the most favorable. The cost is similar for all of the designs since the material is wood and the model scale is relatively small so adding a few parts does not increase the cost. Aesthetics are also similar for most designs as the same type of wood is used. The functionality of the design in figure 3 and our chosen design are similar in that they can both be operated by a crane, and push up water quite well. Other designs fall short in this category. The lift cycle really differentiated the two designs, the superior notch design increased the life cycle of the water lift significantly which greatly influenced our decision.

Preferred

    Below is a quick concept sketch of the preferred design. Complete design schematics, with detailed dimensions and descriptions of each integral part of the waterlift, have been completed. The designs are unfit for the nature of this blog post however, so they will be posted at a future date.

    This design makes use of notches in each of the chain links in which the wheels on either end of the waterlift may latch onto, effectively turning the chain. The sketch is not to scale and the chain links are enlarged to show detail. the waterlift would be propped up at angle to allow water to move to a higher elevation.

Figure 4: Preferred Design Concept

Progress and Future Schedule

    With the design of the waterlift fully completed, construction is expected to begin soon after the reading break (reading break span is Feb 16th – 24th). Modelling of the project is already underway as just earlier today our mentor, Malik Chariff, visited the Engineering Physics lab at UBC with a few members of our group. Once at the lab, we were able to utilize a 3D printer to create a perfect replica of an ideal chain link and paddle. Two chain links and one paddle were printed in order to see how well it would fit together; more importantly providing us with a template for when we are able to woodwork the final product. Photos of the 3D printed material will be posted in a future blog.

Use of modelling cardboard is also being considered. With this material we will be able to construct a cheap construct of the waterlift chain and wheels relatively quickly, in order to see how the system operates and behaves as a whole. This is expected to be constructed during the upcoming reading break.

Below is a video that illustrates how the water lift will operate. It is battery powered and constructed of plastic, but its overall design is ideal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csd5M1iDKg8