Adjustable flare for a sluice

[seclymer]

Hello all,
I created a prototype out of steel sheet metal, but my final design will be aluminum. My idea was to make a flare with hinged walls so that you can control the amount of water going into the sluice by changing the angle of the flare walls. Please give me feedback on this design. Would you be interested in a flare like this?

Many thanks,
Sam

 

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[PurpleGold]

Totally interested! What is the width at the sluice entrance?

 

[seclymer]

PurpleGold, the flare is approximately 12 inches long, with an 18 inch opening (at its widest) that tapers down to 10 inches at the end. The opening can be reduced to as little as 2 inches wide. The 4 inch walls are held in place by paper clamps which are plenty strong enough to keep the flare in position. Thank you for the feedback!

 

[PurpleGold]

In thinking critically about this I can potentially see an issue where the adjustable vertical flares might not seal completely with the bottom creating an escape route for flour gold. Are the vertical flares sealed to the bottom when adjusted in any position? What is the total weight of the assembly? Are you thinking about another material for final build?

 

[seclymer]

Yes that was the main factor in creating the design. I wanted to ensure that no water or gold could escape. The foam completely seals off the area underneath the walls. I tested it and no water leaked through the flare at any points. The current design is steel (the only material I had) but I plan to make the final design out of aluminum.

 

[rivets]

Glad to have helped

Posted Feb 10 2016

"Scissor Flare" love it could be made easily ... three interlocking parts and a few rivets ... u need help with design let me know ...


ps: If you like the name "Scissor Flare" its yours as well

 

[seclymer]

Thank you! What do you think of the design?

 

[rivets]

Great job ... two from me