WW1 radial type air pump

hector · 1 September 2009, 11:07 AM

I have been offered a strange wind driven air pump that resembles a radial or rotary engine with several pumping cylinders, I am sure I have seen one fitted to a WW1 aircraft but can't recall where, can any other aerodrome member offer any suggestions as to what types etc it was fitted to.
Cheer's.
Bob.

hank jarrett · 1 September 2009, 11:36 AM

It would be a lot easier to identify if you posted a photo of it.

Hank

hector · 2 September 2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank jarrett

It would be a lot easier to identify if you posted a photo of it.

Hank

Hi Hank
Sorry to say that I don't have a photo at the moment

" & even if I did I have no idea how to put them on the forum as my knowledge of such things is very limited".

hector · 2 September 2009, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank jarrett

It would be a lot easier to identify if you posted a photo of it.

Hank

Hi Hank
Sorry to say that I don't have a photo at the moment

" & even if I did I have no idea how to put them on the forum as my knowledge of such things is very limited"

.
Cheer's.
Bob.

hank jarrett · 2 September 2009, 04:29 AM

Not a problem. When you get a digital photo one of us can walk you through the posting process or you can send it to one of us and we will post it for you. Unfortunately until there is a photo from someone it will be pretty hard to identify.
Keep us advised. You have my curiosity up.
Hank

D.A. · 3 September 2009, 12:09 AM

Might be an Ingersoll Rand air compressor. 6 cylinder radial, 3 pumping, 3 running.

D.A. · 3 September 2009, 11:42 PM

Does it look like this?

radial compressor

worldcrusier · 4 September 2009, 06:57 AM

OK, show of hands. How many of you have wondered about replacing the three compressor cylinders with combustion cylinders and having a six cylinder radial? Please, someone do it for the entertainment value.

hank jarrett · 4 September 2009, 10:00 AM

The entertainment would start when you tried to get it to run. The valve timing would be all wrong, requiring all new cams. Once the valve timing was taken care of there is the ignition problem. Radial and rotary engines have an odd number of cylinders for a reason. So a 4 cycle operation can work smoothly and the ignition can fire a cylinder every other rotation. You could probably make it work by using an electronic pick up and a computer to fire the plugs but it wouldn't run smooth because there would be a lag on each rotation. If you numbered the jugs in order they would fire 1,3,5 (evenly) then jump to 6, 2, 4 (evenly) followed by a jump to the 1,3,5 again. I think it would run like a 6 cyl in line with 2 plugs misfiring. Lumpy as an old potato.
A 5 cylinder fires 1,3,5,2,4,1. All nice and even with the exhaust stroke every other rotation. I am betting you could force it to run, but only Harley drivers would like the sound and shaking.

Hank

D.A. · 4 September 2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldcrusier

OK, show of hands. How many of you have wondered about replacing the three compressor cylinders with combustion cylinders and having a six cylinder radial? Please, someone do it for the entertainment value.

Actually, I had thought more along the lines of removing the compressor cylinders and running it as a 3 cylinder radial ala Szekeley (spl.) or Anzani.