I've never seen one of those before. I wonder if it's still possible to get radiants for it. Vintage Gas Heater Radiants - Antique Gas Collectibles For Sale
Interesting heater. I don't list model 63 (The PLC is not big on heaters) but as the label has "Automatic" it could have a Scott Snell type condensing atmospheric pump which was fitted to models 60, 61 and probably 62. If it is then that makes this a very interesting curious item. ::Neil::
So, Neil: what is a Scott Snell condensing atmospheric pump? I bought this heater, I guess it will arrive next week.
I though you had the PLC already but I checked and aparently not so I have emailed you the link. In the meantime here is the Scott Snell info from the PLC. ::Neil:: The Scott-Snell pump In 1926 Charles and Edward Scott-Snell invented a thermally activated atmospheric pump. Essentially this produced power by introducing a hot vapour of fuel into a cylinder then condensing the vapour which caused a partial vacuum allowing atmospheric pressure to drive a piston. This is the principle that was used by Thomas Newcomen for his condensing or atmospheric steam engine in 1712. That was a simple device compared to the complexity required to adapt the principle to a pressure lamp. This Scott-Snell invention is the subject of UK patents 283681 11th November 1926, 327971 12th January 1929 both assigned to International Vacuum Power Ltd. 34, Victoria Street, London, SW1. Then in 1931 Erich & Graetz patented in Germany an application of a similar device to apply to kerosene appliances. Patents DE593123 1st January 1933 and GB417889 20th October 1933. This device was carried forward into production in Petromax heater models 60 and 61 which are illustrated in the Graetzin catalogue 123u in January 1932. We don’t know if the same automatic pump was ever produced and fitted to a lamp or lantern although patent GB417889 illustrates the device in a lantern and hanging lamp. Also Jörg Wekenmann has shared with me some correspondence and a diagram regarding a proposed lantern model LB-3 which includes the instructions for starting the lantern which implies there was at least a prototype produced.
Thank you, Neil. The image of the nr 60 heater is very similar to the heater I bought. Here are some pictures taken from the seller's post. When it arrives I'll post some more Juan
Well, the heater is finally at home. I took it apart and by now is enough. Weird device, let's see how does it work and what fuel. It seems it would be dangerous to light it with gasoline and there is a preheating cuvette, so I assume is kerosene. Juan
The instructions for the lantern state it is for kerosene not gasoline/petrol. I have asked for permission to share the paper for this device which I will share as a PM if I am allowed to. ::Neil::
Well, this is the automatic pump. Would see how it works. If it still works ... Except for the damage on the tank, everything seems to be in very good condition. Juan
Here are US and GB patents for the Scott Snell operating principle. Quite interesting, but it doesn't seem to have caught on, probably because it didn't work so well after all.
That was a feature at some of the "Ditmar Demon" Heaters. These are "climbing flame" devices, in which the fuel was conveyed from the tank to a short wick, which sits in a ring-shaped tray, but does not protrude into the tank, by a thermally driven pump. This was to ensure stable operation with a blue flame at different fill levels of the main tank by ensuring that the small reservoir for the wick below the burner always had approximately the same fill level.
Ok. I repaired the tank, fixed a couple of broken pipes, cleaned a ball valve and reassembled everything. Now I have to figure out how to fill the pump as I guess that if there is no fuel within it, it won't work. Tomorrow's task ...
