Reid Rod Line Pavilion - Page 1

 
Reid Engine

A 15 hp Reid engine supplies the motive power for the rod line system.  The engine is two-cycle and uses a charging cylinder for scavenging the power cylinder.  This example runs on propane and has hot tube ignition.  Reid was one of the few makers in the USA to use the Clerk Cycle in which the charging cylinder is 90 degrees ahead of the power cylinder.  It pushes the fresh charge through a transfer valve into the head end of the power cylinder while the exhaust uses the traditional port.

Sistersville Clutch

This engine is equipped with a reversing "Sistersville" clutch that enables the pulley to run in the opposite direction of the engine by use of planetary gearing.  Reversing capability was useful in well servicing applications.The pulley drives a flat belt connected to a pumping power at the front of the engine.

Pumping Power

This is a Fairchilds and Betts gear drive pumping power that originally was used near Warren, PA.  The pumping power converts the rotary motion of the engine to linear motion through an eccentric shaft on top of the horizontal ring gear.  Rods attach to a plate that turns on the eccentric shaft.  As the ring gear makes a revolution the rods are alternately tensioned and relaxed.  A typical installation would have many rod lines fanning out from the pumping power. The pumping power was usually located centrally among the wells and wells in opposite directions balanced each other, greatly minimizing the power need to pump them.  The July 2012 edition of The Flywheel describes more examples of pumping powers.

This exhibit has two rod lines extending to two pump jacks.  The rod line to the right in this photo passes under a pipe and hook support to a nearby pump jack. The photos to follow detail the second, more elaborate rod line.

Reid Rod Line 1

A rod line installation was often made from whatever was available along with a bit of ingenuity.  In this case, a simple pipe and hook arrangement supports the initial section of rod.  Next, the rod travels to a more elaborate swing arm support.

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