Barker's mill or hydraulic tourniquet
Date: circa 1850
Inventory Number: DW0155
Classification: Hydraulic Apparatus
Subject:
Maker: French ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
60 x 52 x 36 cm (23 5/8 x 20 1/2 x 14 3/16 in.)
Description:
A vertical wood frame that holds a glass vessel by a series of brass fixtures hanging from it. The glass vessel has brass caps at both its top and bottom ends. The top cap has a stopcock, and the bottom one would be connected to two horizontal brass tubes at opposite ends which are initially straight but at their ends curve in opposite directions. One of the two horizontal pipes is now missing.
The bottom of the glass vessel is right above a circular metallic pan that rests on the base of the wooden frame. The pan's diameter is such that the two horizontal pipes can freely rotate inside.
The bottom of the glass vessel is right above a circular metallic pan that rests on the base of the wooden frame. The pan's diameter is such that the two horizontal pipes can freely rotate inside.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis is a machine that rotates propelled by water coming out of the horizontal tubes at its bottom. The glass vessel would initially be filled with water, and during its operation the water would be pushed downward by gravity, and out of the tubes. Due to the bends at the end of the tubes, momentum is transferred from the water to the tubes making the system rotate.