ANEMOMETERS

Mechanical anemometers are an instrument used to determine the volume of air entering or exiting mine workings. They were invented by Benjamin Biram, house steward to the Earl Fitzwilliam, owner of numerous collieries in South Yorkshire, England, in 1844.

The formula used most often in mine ventilation using an anemometer was q=av, in which q equals the number of feet of air per minute, a equals the area of the airway in square feet and v equals velocity of air current in feet per minute. Anemometers, as used in mines, were produced in two styles, the Biram style which have the the dials and vanes on the same plane and the offset style which has the dials perpendicular to the vanes.

Brass & Copper Georg Rosemuller

                 Germany

Closeup of Rosenmuller Dials

  Queen & Co.

Philadelphia, PA

Queen & Co. Closeup

  Queen & Co.

Philadelphia, PA

Negretti & Zambra

       London

Negretti & Zambra Closeup

National Mine Service Co.

Davis Instrument Mfg. Co.

           Baltimore

Short & Mason

    London

          John Davis & Co.

Baltimore, MD & Derby England

Short & Mason.

     London

Short & Mason Dials

Short & Mason sideview

Julien P. Friez & Sons, Inc. and Davis Instrument Mfg. Co.

John Davis & Sons and Keuffel & Esser

  Davis & Son

London & Derby

Casella

London

Casella sideview

Keuffel & Esser Co.

      New York

Negretti & Zambra

Short & Mason

     London

Keuffel & Esser

   New York

Short & Mason Vest Pocket Anemometer

              Pocket Watch Size

Porter & Berg

   Chicago

    R. Fuess

Berlin - Steglitz

R. Feuss

John Davis prototype anemometer, serial number 35

                              Circa 1845

Exposed gear drive on 1845 Davis Anemometer

Closeup of rather crude dials on Davis 1845 Prototype Anemometer

Side View of Anemometer   showing exposed vanes

Engraving: John Davis Optician Derby 35

Engraving: Biram's Patent Anemometer

Keuffel & Esser Co.

      New York

Short & Mason Dials