Introduction :
The main aim of this project at Vigyan Ashram, Pabal is to develop a Gravity-Based Water Weight Controlled Gate. The system uses a 40V AC water pump to fill an upper tank. As the water weight increases, gravity causes the gate to move to mobile operates. Water then drains back to the lower tank, allowing the gate to return to its original position. This project demonstrates the practical application of gravity, fluid mechanics, and simple mechanical automation.
Objectives :
1) To design a gravity-based automatic gate mechanism.
2) To use water weight for opening and closing the gate.
3) To reduce the dependence on high-power gate motors.
4) To demonstrate gravity and fluid mechanics in a practical application.
5) To develop an economical and energy-efficient gate system.
Problem Statement :
This project aims to develop a gravity-based water weight controlled gate that uses water as the driving force, reducing power consumption and simplifying the gate mechanism.
Methodology :
1) Install the upper and lower water tanks.
2) Mount a 40V AC water pump.
3) Connect the tanks using water pipes.
4) Provide a controlled outlet for water drainage.
5) Test the opening and closing operation.
Working Principle :
The 40V AC pump pumps water from the lower tank to the upper tank. As the upper tank fills, its weight increases. Under the action of gravity, the increased weight causes the gate to move. Water then flows back through a small outlet pipe into the lower tank. As the upper tank becomes lighter, the gate returns to its initial position. This cycle repeats automatically.
Locking Mechanism :
1.A locking rod mechanism was added to the system.
2.When the gate reaches the fully open position, the rod is engaged to lock the gate.
3.The gate can be unlocked manually whenever it needs to be closed
Working Components :
1) Upper Water Tank – Stores water to create the required weight for gate operation.
2) Lower Water Tank – Collects drained water and supplies it back to the pump.
3) 40V DC Water Pump – Pumps water from the lower tank to the upper tank.
3) PVC Pipe – Transfers water between the tanks.
4) Counterweight (Stone) – Balances the gate and helps it return to its original position.
5) Pivot Shaft and Bearing – Allows smooth rotation of the gate.
6) Power Supply – Provides electrical power to the water pump.
7) Control Switch – Used to turn the pump ON and OFF.
Work Completed :
1) Installed a 40V DC water pump for transferring water from the lower tank to the upper tank.
2) Completed the electrical wiring and power connections for the pump.
3) Adjusted the system so that the gate opens completely in approximately 25–30 seconds.
4) Designed a locking mechanism, allowing the stone to be fixed in the upper position whenever the gate needs to remain open.
What I Learned During This Project :
1) Gravity – The water-filled tank moves downward due to gravitational force.
2) Newton’s Second Law – The weight of the water generates the force required to lift the gate.
3) Fluid Mechanics – Water flows between the upper and lower tanks through PVC pipes.
4) Hydrostatic Pressure – Water pressure controls the drainage through the outlet pipe.
5) Counterweight Principle – The stone counterweight helps pull the gate back to its original position after the water drains.
6) Conservation of Energy – Electrical energy from the pump is converted into gravitational potential energy and then into mechanical energy to lift the gate.
Project development report : ( July 3rd week )
| DATE | DAY | WORK COMPITED |
| 15 Jul 2026 | WENSEDAY | Understood the gate mechanism and completed the electrical wiring connections. |
| 16 jul 2026 | – | |
| 17 jul 2026 | FRIDAY | Installed the 40V DC water pump and started testing the system. |
| 18 jul 2026 | SATURDAY | Completed pump installation and adjusted the system so that the gate opens in approximately 25–30 seconds. |
| 19 jul 2026 | SUNDAY | Installed a stone counter weight and developed a locking mechanism to keep the gate in the open position whenever required. |
Next Development : Plan– Mobile-Based Control System
In the next phase, the gate will be controlled using a mobile phone. An ESP32 will receive commands from a mobile app and switch ON the 40V DC water pump through a relay. The pump will fill the upper tank, increasing its weight and lifting the gate. When the water drains back to the lower tank, the gate will automatically return to its original position. This system will provide wireless, remote, and smart gate operation.
Required components and its function :
1) ESP32 – Receives commands from the mobile app.
2) Relay Module – Switches the 40V AC pump ON/OFF.
3) 40V DC Water Pump – Pumps water to the upper tank.
4) Mobile App – Controls the gate remotely.
5) Water Tanks – Store and transfer water.
6) PVC Pipe – Carries water between the tanks.
7) Limit Switch – Stops the pump when the gate is fully open.
8) Power Supply – Provides electrical power.
9) Connecting Wires – Connect all electrical components.
Working :
The user controls the gate through a mobile app. The ESP32 receives the command and switches ON the 40V AC water pump. Water fills the upper tank, increasing its weight and lifting the gate. When the water drains back to the lower tank, the stone counterweight automatically returns the gate to its closed position.
Circuit Connection ( 21 July Tue – 24 July Fri)
The ESP32 is connected to a 1-channel relay module. The relay controls the positive supply of the 40V AC water pump. The mobile application sends ON/OFF commands to the ESP32 through Wi-Fi. When the ON command is received, GPIO 25 becomes HIGH, activating the relay and supplying power to the pump. When the OFF command is received, GPIO 25 becomes LOW, the relay turns OFF, and the pump stops.
ESP32 to Relay Connections :
ESP32 3.3V → Relay VCC
ESP32 GND → Relay GND
ESP32 GPIO 25 → Relay IN
Relay to Pump Connections
Relay COM → 40V AC Positive Supply
Relay NO → Pump Positive Terminal
Pump Negative Terminal → 40V DC Negative Supply
System Testing
The complete system was tested under different operating conditions. The relay responded correctly to the commands sent from the mobile application. The 40V AC water pump started and stopped successfully through the ESP32. The water-filled upper tank lifted the gate within 25–30 seconds, and after the water drained back to the lower tank, the stone counterweight returned the gate to its closed position. The locking mechanism also worked effectively to keep the gate open whenever required.
ESP32 Program for Mobile-Based Gate Control ( 25 July Sat – 26 Sun )
#define BLYNK_TEMPLATE_ID
“TMPL3pOHbH3cQ”
#define BLYNK_TEMPLATE_NAME
“Gate control”
#define BLYNK_AUTH_TOKEN
“pQ6NUT8ReGQvcnlQZO26sA78J8F0Eokz”
#include
#include
#include
char ssid [ ] = “Vigyan Office”;
char pass [ ] = “rahul123456”;
define RELAY_PIN 25
BLYNK_WRITE(V0)
{
int value = param.asInt();
if (value == 1)
{
digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH); // Pump ON
}
else
{
digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW); // Pump OFF
}
}
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(115200);
pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW);
Blynk.begin(BLYNK_AUTH_TOKEN, ssid, pass);
}
void loop()
{
Blynk.run();
}
Program Features
1.Connects ESP32 to Wi-Fi.
2.Connects ESP32 to the Blynk Cloud.
3.Receives ON/OFF commands from the Blynk app.
4.Controls the relay using GPIO 25.
5.Turns the 40V DC pump ON/OFF.
6.Keeps the relay OFF during startup.
7.Continuously communicates with the Blynk Cloud.
System Implementation
1.ESP32–Relay Hardware Setup
2.ESP32 receives commands from Blynk.
3.Relay controls the 40V DC pump.
4.Pump transfers water to the upper tank.
5.Water weight lifts the gate.
Blynk Mobile Application
Problem Faced
- Multiple users cannot access the system simultaneously on the free plan
- The Blynk IoT free plan provides limited features.
Solutions
- Replaced Blynk IoT with Firebase Realtime Database.
- Developed a custom mobile app for remote gate control
- Enabled free multi-user access.
Firebase Implementation
- Enable Firebase Realtime Database.
- Connect the ESP32 to Firebase.
- Develop a mobile application.
- Send ON/OFF commands through Firebase.
- ESP32 controls the relay and water pump.
- Create a Firebase Project.
Gate Closing Optimizations Aug (01 Saturday – 02 Sunday)
- Installed a washer inside the throttle to increase damping.
- Reduced the gate closing speed.
- Achieved smooth and controlled gate movement.
- Prevented sudden gate closing
- Foam Insulation Cushion Installation.
- Installed a closed-cell foam insulation cushion at the gate stopper.
- Reduced the impact and noise when the gate closes.
