Rolling Ball Technology
An Online Technical Reference Devoted to Rolling Ball Sculptures, Clocks, and other Devices
By Members of the rolling-ball@lemur.com List

Lifters: The Archimedean Screw

By David M. MacMillan

Contents

  1. Ewbank's Hydraulics
  2. Leupold's Theatrum Machinarum
  3. Horizontal Screws in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition

The device described here is generally termed the "Archimedean" screw, after its presumed inventor, Archimedes of Syracuse. Certain authorities dispute this attribution, but it seems easiest to retain this common name. This device is of great antiquity, and most commonly has been used for raising water. It's use for raising balls may be traced to at least the 18th century; a beautiful Archimedean Screw demonstration apparatus is preserved as a part of the King George III Collection of scientific instruments at The Science Museum, London, and is illustrated in Morton and Wess' Public and Private Science.

Two devices very similar to the Archimedean Screw are the "Caged Screw" and the "Pressurized Screw"

Ewbank's Hydraulics

Leupold's Theatrum Machinarum

Theatrum Machinarum III xv
Jacob Leupold. Theatrum Machinarum.
(Tom. III: Theatrum Machinarum Hydraulicarum, Tom. I.) Tab. XV.
Image public domain.

Theatrum Machinarum III xvii
Jacob Leupold. Theatrum Machinarum.
(Tom. III: Theatrum Machinarum Hydraulicarum, Tom. I.) Tab. XVII.
Image public domain.

Theatrum Machinarum IV iii 1
Jacob Leupold. Theatrum Machinarum.
(Tom. IV: Theatrum Machinarum Hydraulicarum, Tom. II.) Tab. III, Fig 1.
Image public domain.

Theatrum Machinarum IV iii 2
Jacob Leupold. Theatrum Machinarum.
(Tom. IV: Theatrum Machinarum Hydraulicarum, Tom. II.) Tab. III, Fig 2.
Image public domain.

Horizontal Screws in the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition

The article on "Conveyors" in the 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, 1910-1911, contains illustrations of apparently horizontal screws, both continuous and with interrupted blades. I'm not sure if these are "Archimedean" screws or not, but they're similar, so I'll reproduce these illustrations here.


Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, 1910-1911
Volume 7, "Conveyors," Fig. 1.
Image public domain


Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, 1910-1911
Volume 7, "Conveyors," Fig. 2.
Image public domain


Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, 1910-1911
Volume 7, "Conveyors," Fig. 3.
Image public domain


Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, 1910-1911
Volume 7, "Conveyors," Fig. 4.
Image public domain


Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, 1910-1911
Volume 7, "Conveyors," Fig. 5.
Image public domain

Legal Matters

With the exception of material noted as being in the public domain, the text, images, and encoding of this document are copyright © 1997-1998 by their author(s) and editor(s): David M. MacMillan.

This document is licensed for private, noncommercial, nonprofit viewing by individuals on the World Wide Web. Any other use or copying, including but not limited to republication in printed or electronic media, modification or the creation of derivative works, and any use for profit, is prohibited.

This writing is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but "as-is," without any warranty of any kind, expressed or implied; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

In no event will the author(s) or editor(s) of this document be liable to you or to any other party for damages, including any general, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of your use of or inability to use this document or the information contained in it, even if you have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

In no event will the author(s) or editor(s) of this document be liable to you or to any other party for any injury, death, disfigurement, or other personal damage arising out of your use of or inability to use this document or the information contained in it, even if you have been advised of the possibility of such injury, death, disfigurement, or other personal damage.

All trademarks or registered trademarks used in this document are the properties of their respective owners and (with the possible exception of any marks owned by the author(s) or editor(s) of this document) are used here for purposes of identification only. A trademark catalog page lists the marks known to be used on these web pages. Please e-mail dmm@lemur.com if you believe that the recognition of a trademark has been overlooked.

Version 1.3, 1998/06/20. Feedback to dmm@lemur.com
http://www.database.com/~lemur/rbt-archscrew.html

Go to the: