Duo-Art Cam-Operated "Steamboat"
Pump
by Richard
Vance (010911 MMD)

The early Aeolian Company "Duo-Art Steamboat Pump" had three pairs of bellows
which were moved by a camshaft instead of a crankshaft. Here is a
picture, copied from an eBay entry, where someone was selling one.
A coil spring connects the pair of bellows on each side of an eccentric
cam. The spring is strong enough to keep the rollers in contact with
the eccentric cams at all times.
The Duo-Art steamboat pump has the reputation of being the quietest
ever devised, since there are no connecting-rod bearings to loosen and
knock. The stroke is comparatively short, compared with other designs,
but it can go quite fast without noise. The wooden rollers are covered
with leather, for even more noise reduction. See http://www.mmdigest.com/Pictures/tuttle02.html
Although this was a fine design, and many collectors prize it, it was
so big and thick that it was soon replaced. After that, they briefly
went to a similar arrangement with four bellows and short connecting rods
instead of eccentrics. You can see one on Sam Harris' website: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/9374/stroud/page09.html
By the 1920s Duo-Art had gone to the standard box pump, just like Ampico.
Richard Vance
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 10:07:43 -0400
11 September 2001
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