Archimedean screw - interesting (possibly) but not rude

[vulcancontinental]

Anybody seen one of these domestic heating circulators before?

Little bit of a trick question but interesting for the engineers I guess. View media item 24956 View media item 24955

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Looks rather ancient! Im curious to know how the screw is driven? (Assuming it is moving the water in the direction of the arrow!)

 

[Nige F]

Archimedes- allright in principle but how long did it last 3-4-5 years

 

[Onetap]

Anybody seen one of these domestic heating circulators before?

No.
An axial- flow canned-rotor pump?
Are you sure it's a pump and not a turbine meter or something?
Do you know what the attached electric box does? Any name on it?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

There's a good example of the Archimedes screw in operation 24/7 at Milton Keynes sewage works. IIRC there's 3 or 4 in a line, usually only any one in use at a time. They lift the incoming wastewater some 25m to discharge it at the intake screens at the works. Simple idea, devastating effective!

 

[vulcancontinental]

I'd better come clean about it. I did say it was a bit of a trick question.

It's never been in a system as far as I know, I put the valves on it to show it had standard connections and it might be what I remember it as.

Back in the 70's when I was working for a large heating company the developers bought it into the bosses office looking for an order to develop it or to raise finance for developing it. When the company went bust I didn't want a box of pencils so I 'won' that.

It's been at the back of the garage for years and I just came across it this morning and thought it might be a talking point.

There is a joint where the unit is assembled (behind one of the ribbed end pieces) and I will take it and the box apart if anyone is interested and post photo's. Might be a few days but I'll do it if you like.

If memory serves, if it's a circulator, it 's selling point was simplicity and large clearances (resistance to dirt build-up) which was a problem with SMC pump and their induction plates at the time.

Still at the back of the garage; does anyone else remember these?
View media item 24988
A programmer that logged time heating and hot water were running and tried to give a guide as to the probable running costs. Back then a therm was a therm and it cost X so you could enter the figure you were paying per therm. Bit hit and miss but I'm surprised there's been nothing similar until recently with the smart meters which I know nothing about.

 

[Axel]

Tony will fix these for a standard fee of £84 plus VAT.......

 

[Onetap]

I'd better come clean about it. I did say it was a bit of a trick question.

It's never been in a system as far as I know, I put the valves on it to show it had standard connections and it might be what I remember it as.

Bet it's a turbine flow meter. Have you tried plugging it in?

I vaguely recall the Harp logo, but don't know anything else about them.

 

[Nige F]

I'd better come clean about it. I did say it was a bit of a trick question.


I vaguely recall the Harp logo, .

Lager

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Tony will fix these for a standard fee of £84 plus VAT.......

 

[vulcancontinental]

I'd better come clean about it. I did say it was a bit of a trick question.

It's never been in a system as far as I know, I put the valves on it to show it had standard connections and it might be what I remember it as.

Bet it's a turbine flow meter. Have you tried plugging it in?

I vaguely recall the Harp logo, but don't know anything else about them.

If its a flow meter my memory is playing me tricks or the boss was taking the mickey out of the junior member (not unheard of). Will try to plug it in but will open it up first.

Harp were big installers in London. I subbed for them for a year or so. Good company to work for. No remedials, call backs etc and a reliable installer they'd almost force the payment on you.