This  1895 Rider-Ericsson hot air pumping engine is the only hot air engine that was actually manufactured in production quantities.  This marvelous engine is fascinating to see run, with all of its moving parts and a pump that really works!  The curved spokes of the flywheel, the cast linkages, bedplate, water jacket, and crankshaft bracket all contribute to the air of authenticity.  The original Ericsson engines were all water cooled. 

Specifications:   4-1/2″ x 5″ x 6″

Rider-Ericcson Engine

 The Ericsson Hot-Air Pumping Engine is a single cylinder engine with two pistons.  One is called the main or air piston which receives and transmits the power, and the other is called the transfer piston which transfers the air contained in the machine alternately and at the proper time from one end of the cylinder to the other.

The cylinder is provided at its upper end with a water-jacket through which all the water passes on its way from the well to the tank.  This keeps the upper end of the cylinder cool while the lower end is exposed to the fire and becomes as hot as it’s practicle to make it.  By the peculiar arrangement of connections between the air and transfer pistons, the proper relative motions between these pistons are obtained.

The operation is as follows:  After the lower end of the cylinder has been sufficiently heated (which takes only a very few minutes), the engine must be started by hand by giving it one or two revolutions.  The air contained in the machine is first compressed in the cold part of the cylinder.  It is then transferred to the lower end where it is instantly heated and expanded, thus furnishing the power.

This engine, like all other hot air engines is only single-acting.  The momentum of the fly wheel continues the revolution until it receives an additional impulse by the repetition of the above mentioned conditions, which occur once in every revolution.  The same air is used continuously and is cooled, compressed, heated and expanded in the regular order and without noise.

The furnaces of the Ericsson engine are arranged for burning any kind of fuel.  When gas or any liquid fuel is used one type of furnace is used.  When coal or wood is used, a very heavy made cast iron furnace thoroughly lined with the best fire brick and provided with a dumping grate is used.  Either style of furnace may be substituted without removing any other part of the machine.

The scaled down version of the Rider-Ericsson Hot-Air Pumping Engine as shown in the picture and video above uses Denatured Alcohol.