The ram pump is not a normal mechanically-operated pump. A column of water in the supply (drive) pipe from a header tank, moving at low velocity, is similar to a ‘plunger’. The energy in the plunger forces water from the supply into a delivery pipe. The Hydraulic Ram Pump uses the water hammer effect, where the momentum of a column of moving water in a pipe causes the water hammer. This exchanges the momentum of a large amount of water into energy that pumps a smaller amount of water up a hill or gradient. The apparatus has three main parts: the header tank, the pump and the interconnecting pipe work. The header tank mounts to a suitable wall. 

The pump has:

• A supply pipe fitted with an inner and outer valve,

• An air vessel to reduce hydraulic shock, and

• A delivery section.