Pressure receiver

This is one of the pressure receivers used in combination with the air pressure pump that is also on this shelf [See 143]. The pressure receiver can be connected directly to the pump or to its brass pressure receiver. The brass cylinder has thick walls and is closed off at the top and bottom with strong, brass plates. These plates are firmly pressed against the rims of the cylinder by four bolts with nuts. An air pressure of 2 to 3 atmosphere can be built up in this receiver (the normal air pressure is approximately 1 atmosphere). After the invention of the air compressor, various experiments were devised to demonstrate the effects of compressed air. Small animals were even placed inside a pressure receiver to study the effect on the respiration process. Apparently, the animals were not bothered by the compressed air. Later on, compressed air was used for the so-called diving bell, and the divers were hardly bothered by it.