Rare Hot Air Engines Driven By Heat

Rare Hot Air Engines Driven By Heat AG WORLD 31-1-24 Hot air engines were first patented in 1759. They're still enjoyed today by collectors like Dan Wiese of Westlock, Alberta. Wiese owns two working models of these rare units, and says most people have never heard of them. Both of his engines were manufactured by De Lamater Iron Works in New York, N.Y., most likely in the late 1800's or early 1900's. "They're often confused with steam engines, but that's not what they are at all," he says. The large, low horsepower engines were primarily used for pumping water for livestock. Smaller versions were used in urban areas by hotels and other businesses to pump water to cisterns, so guests could have gravity-fed running water. "There was one ship powered by a huge hot air engine, but it was too inefficient. It sank in a storm. When it was raised, it was refitted with steam engines," he explains. "The engines work on the expansion and contraction of hot air to drive a piston." Wiese's hot air engines have a firebox in the bottom where wood or coal can be burned when he demonstrates them, he sets a propane burner from an old hot water heater inside for his heat source. Fire from the fuel source heats the air inside the cylinder and as that air expands, it forces up the piston. Water that's being pumped by the engine is first sent into the water jacket to provide cooling. As air at the top of the cylinder cools, it contracts again, and is displaced by the hot air from the bottom. In this way, the air is recycled, going through the same process again and again. Wiese says the stationery engines would normally sit directly over a water well when used as a pump. "I took the big one out to a local Vintage Tractor Show once, but I haven't displayed it anywhere since because it's too heavy. It weighs about 3,700 pounds." Wiese has pumped water with both of his engines. The 8-in. Ericsson pumps 500 gal./hr. (50 ft. above the surface of the well water), and weighs 700 lbs. The 10-in. Rider pumps 3,500 gal./hr. (50 ft. above the surface of the well water). When asked about the value of the pumps, Wiese says he knows of another 10-in. unit that sold in Crosby, N. Dakota last spring for $10,000 U.S., but it was made by a different company. "There aren't very many around. I only know of four hot air engines in all of Canada," he says. "However, on April 21 and 22, the æThird Annual Southwest Regional Hot Air Engine Meet' will be held in conjunction with the 15th Annual California Antique Farm Equipment Show in Tulare, California. There will be more hot air engines together there than at any other time." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dan Wiese, R.R. 1, Westlock, Alberta, Canada T7P 2N9 (ph/fax 780 349-4476; dwiese@telusplanet.net).

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