Week 7 Progress

Because the pump obtained from ECE department in week 5 was an air pump which does not operate for the purpose of the planter, a new pump had to be selected. The estimate water flow rate for the planter is about 2 gallons of water per minute, so the pump has to support at least 120 gallons of water per hour to the height of 6’. After comparing functioning and prices, a pump which can support a maximum of 221 gallons of water per hour at the height of 6’ was selected. This pump has a flow control, so its rate can be adjusted to about 120 gallons per hour. Tubing will be purchased after receiving the pump.

Three funnels, PVC cement, two 1” diameter PVC pipes, four plate caster wheels, and the plywood boards were brought in to the lab during the week. The funnels are in three different sizes, and the two smaller ones which can fit inside the PVC pipes will be used for guiding the water. The plywood boards will be used to build a box to put the planter in. The plywood boards were cut into three 5’ by 1’4” rectangles and two 1’4” by 1’4” squares, so these pieces can be put together to make a box as shown in Figure 7. The box will improve the stability of the planter by connecting the two water bases together as a whole. The wheels will be installed at the bottom of the box to increase the mobility of the planter.

Figure 7. Dimensions for the plywood box

PVC pipes were measured and marked so that they can be cut and put together next week. Each long pipe is slightly longer than 6’. Two cuts will be performed on each long vertical pipe. First, 8” of the pipe will be taken off, and then the approximately 5’5” remaining long pipe will be cut into a 2’1” piece and a 3’4” piece. The 8” cut shortens the height of the planter and allows the planter to fit through doors and elevators. Since each bucket is about 15” deep, the second cut divides the remaining pipe into two parts which one part is 15” longer than the other, so when connected, the pipes will appear to be evenly spread above and below the T-joint outside of the bucket. The horizontal pipes will not be cut because the maximized distance between the plants is necessary for the plants to grow well, but spots for hole cutting were marked. The pipe was measured into four even parts across its length, and the three points that separate the length are the hole spots. The 1” PVC pipes that were brought in will be cut on an angle so they can provide a lip for the plants to rest in which will allow them to get water without allowing water to get out. Finishing these cuttings and the construction of the cut parts will be the deliverables for next week.