Bridgeport Aeolus Tire Pumps - Is "Improved" version correct for Ford?

[namdc3]

The Ford part list literature I've reviewed appears to show the older, I assume original, style of model Aeolus pump. This, I believe, is generally accepted. In the teens, at least as early as 1919, the "Improved Aeolus" appears in non-Ford literature. There is also mid-teens patent information. I believe the top still just says Aeolus. It is easily distinguished from the older version by differences in assembly method and packings. I believe the improved version is also shorter in overall height.

My question: Was the "improved Aeolus" ever Ford-supplied equipment?

1915.jpg (85.51 KiB) Viewed 869 times

[1915ford]

Ford used the Bridgeport aoelis pump until 1915 when the aoelis improved model began to appear in the parts books. The improved model is marked as such on the top and is assembled in a slightly different manner than the aoelis model. The “Brisk Blast” pump was also supplied by ford per blueprints i have found in the ford archives. Ford specified that these two-stage pumps needed to deliver 60 psi of air pressure. The earliest aoelis pumps had varnished handles and brass plated top and bottom castings. The lower casting was painted red after 1909 and the later improved models had handles painted in red as well. I was told years ago that aeolis was the name for the greek god of wind. Not sure if thats true.

[TXGOAT2]

I believe it is true about Aeolus. The name may be the root of "Aero", as in "Aeroplane", etc. "Air" may proceed from the same root.

[namdc3]

Wow, great info! I have a couple follow up questions.

When you say "began to appear in the parts books" do you mean Bridgeport or Ford books? I looked through all of the Ford parts books posted on Cimorelli, and the original Aeolus was shown in all of the ones I found up until May 1917. Then the pump wasn't depicted until 1925 when a single tube pump was shown. Again, this is just what was available on Cimorelli and isn't exhaustive, but I didn't see any Ford images showing the improved version.

When did Ford cease to provide a double tube and instead provide a single tube? I always assumed that steel-tube single Ford pumps were WWI but perhaps they are instead "late."

Did the Brisk Blast documentation indicate any time period for that pump? Was it provided interchangeably at the same time as the Aeolus?

Thank you.

[1915ford]

The brisk blast documentation was a surprise to me as well. We often assume that what is shown in the parts book illustrations is the only model used and it is often not the case. Brisk blast pumps have a 45 degree outlet for the hose so are not the ones used in the parts book illustrations. I may have dated the use off the improved model from a factory numbers document rather than a consumer price list of parts. The factory number books tend to carry much more detail. The single tube pumps may have coincided with the introduction of balloon tires which require much less inflation pressure.

[1915ford]

See photo of factory blueprint.

[namdc3]

Thanks! Here's a cross-section of the improved Aeolus I thought someone might find handy someday. The Bridgeport No. 5 looks very, very similar, but I've noticed the top nut on the small tube side is hex on the No. 5 and knurled on the Improved Aeolus. I haven't found the factory number information you mentioned, but from what you've provided I've gathered that the Bridgeport Aeolus, Bridgeport Improved Aeolus, and Brisk Blast would all be correct. The latter two would likely be mid-teens onward (I read that Brisk Blast didn't come into existence until 1916) with a possible overlap period with single-tube pumps. There may be other correct early double-tube pumps, as well, but those are the three documented.