The Roman water pump : unique evidence for Roman mastery of mechanical engineering

"The study presents the history, use, design, operation and performance of Roman water pump, It appears that these machines were used in small numbers to raise water from Wells; and more commonly, and very importantly, as portable pumps to fight fires. the water pump is attributed to Ctesibius (f. ca. 270 D.C.). The earlier exemples were made in bronze, but the original design was cleverly re-engineered in Roma times to make pumps easier and cheaper to make and mantain, by cutting apertures in a large block of Wood, and making internal spaces pressure proof by plugging their extremities. Eighteen wooden pumps have been found, mostly in Wells, and remains of thirteen survive. This study is based on examination of the remains, and of the record of all eighteen made when they were found; it also considers four other relevant finds, ancient texts, and the known metal pumps. It discusses sources of water and how it was raised, and the concept of water pump, first in bronze, and later in Wood. It describes the finding, location, use, and dating of the known wooden pumps, and explains their generic design, the features of each part, the method of driving the machine, and its operation cycle. Calculations are shown of the posible performance of a pump of typical dimensions, and of the manpower required to drive it. Technical considerations affecting construction, operation and performance are discussed."

"The Roman water pump unique evidence for Roman mastery of mechanical engineering"
"The Roman Water Pump : Unique evidence for Roman mastery of mechanical engineering"
"The Roman water pump : unique evidence for Roman mastery of mechanical engineering"
"The Roman water pump : unique evidence for Roman mastery of mechanical engineering"@en