Archimedes Project

303
of using several Pulleys in each frame will be obviated, and with that some of the inconveniencies to which the use of the Pulley is liable.

In the figure referred to, the coils of rope by which the weight is supported, are represented by the lines a, b, c &c; a is the line of traction, commonly called the fall, which passes over and under the proper grooves, until it is fastened to the upper frame just above n. In practice, however, the grooves are not arithmetical proportions, nor can they be so; for the diameter of the rope employed must in all cases be deducted from each term; without which the smaller grooves, to which the said diameter bears a larger proportion than to the larger ones, will tend to rise and fall faster than they, and thus introduce worse defects than those which they were intended to obviate.

The principal advantage of this kind of Pulley is, that it destroys lateral friction, and that kind of shaking motion which is so inconvenient in the common Pulley. And lest (says Mr. White) this circumstance should give the idea of weakness, I would observe, that to have pins for the pulleys to run on, is not the only nor perhaps the best method; but that I sometimes use centres fixed to the Pulleys, and revolving on a very short bearing in the side of the frame, by which strength is increased, and friction very much diminished; for to the last moment the motion of the Pulley is perfectly circular: and this very circumstance is the cause of its not wearing out in the centre as soon as it would, assisted by the ever increasing irregularities of a gullied bearing. These Pulleys, when well executed, apply to jacks and other machines of that nature with peculiar advantage, both as to the time of going and their own durability; and it is possible to produce a system of Pulleys of this kind of six or eight parts only, and adapted to the pockets, which, by means of a skain of sewing silk, or a clue of common thread, will raise upwards of an hundred weight.

As a system of Pulleys has no great weight, and lies in a small compass, it is easily carried about, and can be applied for raising weights in a great many cases, where other engines cannot be used. But they are subject to a great deal of friction, on the following accounts; viz, 1st, because the diameters of their axes bear a very considerable proportion to their own diameters; 2d, because in working they are apt to rub against one another, or against the sides of the block; 3dly, because of the stiffness of the rope that goes over and under them. See Ferguson's Mech. pa. 37, 4to.

But the friction of the Pulley is now reduced to nothing as it were, by the ingenious Mr. Garnett's patent friction rollers, which produce a great saving of labour and expence, as well as in the wear of the machine, both when applied to Pulleys and to the axles of wheel-carriages. His general principle is this; between the axle and nave, or centre pin and box, a hollow space is left, to be filled up by solid equal rollers nearly touching each other. These are furnished with axles inserted into a circular ring at each end, by which their relative distances are preserved; and they are kept parallel by means of wires fastened to the rings between the rollers, and which are rivetted to them.

The above contrivance is exhibited in the annexed figure; where ABCD represents a piece of metal to be inserted into the bo<*> or nave, of which E is the centrepin or axle, and 1, 1, 1, &c, rollers of metal having axes inserted in the brazen circle which passes through their centres; and both circles being rivetted together by means of bolts passing between the rollers from one side of the nave to the other; and thus they are always kept separate and parallel.

PUMP

, in Hydraulics, a machine for raising water, and other fluids.

Pumps are probably of very ancient use. Vitruvius ascribes the invention to Ctesebes of Athens, some say of Alexandria, about 120 years before Christ. They are now of various kinds. As the Sucking Pump, the Lifting Pump, the Forcing Pump, Ship Pumps, Chain Pumps, &c. By means of the lifting and forcing Pumps, water may be raised to any height, with a sufficient power, and an adequate apparatus: but by the sucking Pump the water may, by the general pressure of the atmosphere on the surface of the well, be raised only about 33 or 34 feet; though in practice it is seldom applied to the raising it much above 28; because, from the variations observed in the barometer, it appears that the air may sometimes be lighter than 33 feet of water; and whenever that happens, for want of the due counterpoise, this Pump may fail in its performance.

The Common Sucking Pump.—This consists of a pipe, of wood or metal, open at both ends, having a fixed valve in the lower part of it opening upwards, and a moveable valve or bucket by which the water is drawn or lifted up. This bucket is just the size of the bore of the Pump-pipe, in that part where it works, and leathered round so as to sit it very close, that no air may pass by the sides of it; the valve hole being in the middle of the bucket. The bucket is commonly worked in the upper part of the barrel by a short rod, and another fixed valve placed just below the descent of the bucket. Thus, (fig. 1, pl. 23), AB is the Pump-pipe, C the lower fixed valve, opening upwards, and D is the bucket, or moving valve, also opening upwards.

In working the Pump; draw up the bucket D, by means of the Pump rod, having any sort of a handle fixed to it: this draws up the water that is above it, or if not, the air; in either case the water pushes up the valve C, and enters to supply the void left between C and D, being pushed up by the pressure of the atmosphere on the surface of the water in the well below. Next, the bucket D is pushed down, which shuts the