Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.20 |
Object Name |
Gate, Draw |
Title |
Model of Hydraulic Draw-Gate |
Artist |
Sellers, Nathan |
Date |
1811 |
Description |
White pine model of a gate-frame, with a long wooden plug valve across the bottom. Marked with a contemporary inked inscription "Model of a Rolling-draw Gate presented by Nathan Sellers 19 April 1811." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961). |
Label |
Nathan Sellers, a Philadelphia mill owner, designed this model of a hydraulic draw-gate. Sellers was a Quaker trained in law, but his aptitude for mechanics and invention led him to a career in manufacturing. He developed this draw-gate to work with a modified waterwheel at his sawmill. He wanted to use what he called a "common flutter wheel," which required placing the gate at the bottom of a 14-foot head of water. The gate used an iron plug valve with a semicircular cross section. Sellers gave the model to the APS along with a detailed description, so that others could benefit from his invention. |
Dimensions |
H-4.25 W-6 L-11 inches |
Dimension Details |
Crank: 7.125 (length) |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century invention model |