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Date: 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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At last report I had a very good experimental espresso machine that I'd
cobbled together from an old Gaggia. I'd reduced the Gaggia influence to the
exterior shell, its three-way solenoid valve, the brew group - bottom
(brass) part of boiler, portafilter, & portafilter coupling - and the Ukla
pump.
The brass part of the brew group was machined flat and drilled & tapped to
accept a brass fitting. The new boiler I fabricated & fitted with a
commercial (1800w) heating element. I connected it to the water line via a
water softener. I placed the pump between the boiler & brew group so I could
better maintain an even 9 bar pressure. I made the connections from the
water line to the boiler, the boiler to the pump, & the pump to the brew
group with braided stainless steel high pressure tubing. There were many
more mods necessary before it started to come together into a working
espresso machine.
To make a longer story shorter, this worked just fine - until the pump
succumbed to the 210F water temperatures. I just could not find a reasonably
priced oscillating pump for my machine! One company was going to build one
to my specs but I wasn't ready to order a minimum of 100 just yet, and
besides I didn't like the noise generated by these pumps.
I shelved the project for a while & let my subconscious work on it for a
bit. Then last week a vendor was discussing a problem they were having
maintaining pressure for a fuel tank on an aerospace project. The problem
was compounded by weight considerations & the fact that the new technology
they'd based their RFP response on was lagging in development. That's when
the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso machine
by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
So, now I'm huddled together with some people who're a whole lot smarter
than me to determine the feasibility of designing, developing, & marketing
such a pump. We've started the patent process, done some initial design &
prototyping, with the goal of having a fully functional model by December.
We're fairly confident in the design. We're shooting for an initial MSRP of
$67, with prices to come down once we can get it into full production.
From what started as a whim it now looks like I've started another business.
It'll be tough crafting a niche; we can't decide whether to aim for the home
or commercial market (I'm the only one leaning toward home use). The
competition is so firmly entrenched in their customer base that it'll be
tough driving a wedge between them. We'll probably be doing the tradeshow
circuit again (hate it), this time for the food & beverage group instead of
the aerospace groups I'm used to dealing with.
We haven't come up with a name for the espresso maker yet; any FREE
suggestions that has a Texas theme?
Sorry for the long & boring synopsis of my actions in this field but I'm
excited to be back in harness again.
Robert (but I'm supposed to be retired!) Harmon
--
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
Remove "Z" to reply via email.
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Date: 15 Jun 2006 21:28:17
From: Barry Jarrett
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
<r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
>the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso machine
>by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
>eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
>
is there any advantage to an eccentric axis pump over an existing
rotary vane pump?
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Date: 15 Jun 2006 21:40:22
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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Size reduced by 50% for same volume & pressure, more efficient because of
tighter clearances possible, smaller motor needed to rotate pump.
The guru's working with me have me convinced that we'll get more bang for
the buck with the eccentric axis pump. We'll see once we have a working
prototype in hand to test against other pumps.
BTW, the guys working on the aerospace project used something they called a
capillary pump. Very bleeding edge stuff that may find it's way into
everyday applications very soon if it can do everything they say.
Robert
"Barry Jarrett" <barry@rileys-coffee.com > wrote in message
news:t4k392lsajqju8capbedp0o38sro60oh4k@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
> <r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso
> >machine
> >by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
> >eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
> >
>
> is there any advantage to an eccentric axis pump over an existing
> rotary vane pump?
>
>
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Date: 16 Jun 2006 20:50:14
From: Sheldon T. Hall - DO NOT MAIL
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:40:22 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
<r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
>Size reduced by 50% for same volume & pressure, more efficient because of
>tighter clearances possible, smaller motor needed to rotate pump.
>
>The guru's working with me have me convinced that we'll get more bang for
>the buck with the eccentric axis pump. We'll see once we have a working
>prototype in hand to test against other pumps.
You might look in an old Austin-Healey parts catalog for a pump about
the right size; they used one for the oil pump in Sprites.
-Shel
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Date: 17 Jun 2006 04:38:21
From: Barry Jarrett
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:50:14 -0700, Sheldon T. Hall - DO NOT MAIL
<aquaman@tandem.artell.net > wrote:
>On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:40:22 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
><r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Size reduced by 50% for same volume & pressure, more efficient because of
>>tighter clearances possible, smaller motor needed to rotate pump.
>>
>>The guru's working with me have me convinced that we'll get more bang for
>>the buck with the eccentric axis pump. We'll see once we have a working
>>prototype in hand to test against other pumps.
>
>You might look in an old Austin-Healey parts catalog for a pump about
>the right size; they used one for the oil pump in Sprites.
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29274&SortOrder=52
parts 35 or 36. looks awful big.
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Date: 17 Jun 2006 08:09:45
From: Sheldon T. Hall - DO NOT MAIL
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 04:38:21 GMT, Barry Jarrett
<barry@rileys-coffee.com > wrote:
>On Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:50:14 -0700, Sheldon T. Hall - DO NOT MAIL
><aquaman@tandem.artell.net> wrote:
>
> >On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:40:22 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
> ><r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>Size reduced by 50% for same volume & pressure, more efficient because of
> >>tighter clearances possible, smaller motor needed to rotate pump.
> >>
> >>The guru's working with me have me convinced that we'll get more bang for
> >>the buck with the eccentric axis pump. We'll see once we have a working
> >>prototype in hand to test against other pumps.
> >
> >You might look in an old Austin-Healey parts catalog for a pump about
> >the right size; they used one for the oil pump in Sprites.
>
>
>http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29274&SortOrder=52
>
>parts 35 or 36. looks awful big.
That drawing's not to scale. The Sprite oil pump is about the size of
a Procon. Maybe a little bgger in diameter, but flatter. The engine
was originally only 850 CC (948 in early Sprites, 848 in Minis, etc.
eventually 1275 CC with relocated bore spacing and other tweaks). For
that matter, I think the original-original design was a sidevalve
flathead. Must have been a real tyre-shredder.
-Shel
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Date: 15 Jun 2006 14:01:10
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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"Robert Harmon" <r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
>...... That's when
>the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso machine
>by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
>eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
>
Like a Procon rotary vane, positive displacement pump.....?
http://espressoparts2.zoovy.com/product/V_41
POr this rebuiolt one with warranty for $50:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ item 7629348763
> We're shooting for an initial MSRP of
>$67, with prices to come down once we can get it into full production.
>
With a motor?! That would be a deal!
Randy "reinventing the wheel?" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 15 Jun 2006 20:40:50
From: Marshall
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
<r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
>We haven't come up with a name for the espresso maker yet; any FREE
>suggestions that has a Texas theme?
Do you have any idea how many tongues are biting out there?
Marshall
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Date: 15 Jun 2006 20:45:29
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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What do you mean? Who bit their tongue & did it require surgery?
Robert
"Marshall" <mrfuss@ihatespamearthlink.net > wrote in message
news:bdh39219dk5mrm82p5j0bg9ra8om50ipct@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
> <r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>We haven't come up with a name for the espresso maker yet; any FREE
>>suggestions that has a Texas theme?
>
> Do you have any idea how many tongues are biting out there?
>
> Marshall
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Date: 16 Jun 2006 14:45:56
From: Erik Groomer
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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Detroit diesels, the two strokers, use an oil pump that sounds very
similar to this as I recall. Or it may have been another manufacturer...
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Date: 16 Jun 2006 05:13:46
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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Robert,
The notion of using a capillary pump to go directly from water to water
vapor with no moving parts and only the application of heat is a
fascinating idea. They're really neat little devices that offer direct
gasification under extremely controlled conditions.
More details????
Will
Robert Harmon wrote:
> Size reduced by 50% for same volume & pressure, more efficient because of
> tighter clearances possible, smaller motor needed to rotate pump.
>
> The guru's working with me have me convinced that we'll get more bang for
> the buck with the eccentric axis pump. We'll see once we have a working
> prototype in hand to test against other pumps.
>
> BTW, the guys working on the aerospace project used something they called a
> capillary pump. Very bleeding edge stuff that may find it's way into
> everyday applications very soon if it can do everything they say.
>
> Robert
>
> "Barry Jarrett" <barry@rileys-coffee.com> wrote in message
> news:t4k392lsajqju8capbedp0o38sro60oh4k@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:57:25 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
> > <r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso
> > >machine
> > >by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
> > >eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
> > >
> >
> > is there any advantage to an eccentric axis pump over an existing
> > rotary vane pump?
> >
> >
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Date: 16 Jun 2006 19:00:10
From: Barry Jarrett
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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On 16 Jun 2006 05:13:46 -0700, "Omniryx@gmail.com" <Omniryx@gmail.com >
wrote:
>The notion of using a capillary pump to go directly from water to water
>vapor with no moving parts and only the application of heat is a
>fascinating idea.
yes, it happens any time your espresso machine heating element kicks
on.
;)
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Date: 16 Jun 2006 13:15:48
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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Sorry, not my area of expertise. But from what friends tell me it'll
revolutionize fluid transfer application.
Robert
<Omniryx@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1150460026.358162.172370@y41g2000cwy.googlegroups.com...
> Robert,
>
> The notion of using a capillary pump to go directly from water to water
> vapor with no moving parts and only the application of heat is a
> fascinating idea. They're really neat little devices that offer direct
> gasification under extremely controlled conditions.
>
> More details????
>
> Will
>
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Date: 19 Jun 2006 03:41:10
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Follow up to the modding of my Gaggia (long)
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bobby:
<< this worked just fine - until the pump succumbed to the 210F water
temperatures. >>
he didn't read the nameplate on the pump: 25C maximum. -- print was
too small I guess.
Robert Harmon wrote:
> At last report I had a very good experimental espresso machine that I'd
> cobbled together from an old Gaggia. I'd reduced the Gaggia influence to the
> exterior shell, its three-way solenoid valve, the brew group - bottom
> (brass) part of boiler, portafilter, & portafilter coupling - and the Ukla
> pump.
>
> The brass part of the brew group was machined flat and drilled & tapped to
> accept a brass fitting. The new boiler I fabricated & fitted with a
> commercial (1800w) heating element. I connected it to the water line via a
> water softener. I placed the pump between the boiler & brew group so I could
> better maintain an even 9 bar pressure. I made the connections from the
> water line to the boiler, the boiler to the pump, & the pump to the brew
> group with braided stainless steel high pressure tubing. There were many
> more mods necessary before it started to come together into a working
> espresso machine.
>
> To make a longer story shorter, this worked just fine - until the pump
> succumbed to the 210F water temperatures. I just could not find a reasonably
> priced oscillating pump for my machine! One company was going to build one
> to my specs but I wasn't ready to order a minimum of 100 just yet, and
> besides I didn't like the noise generated by these pumps.
>
> I shelved the project for a while & let my subconscious work on it for a
> bit. Then last week a vendor was discussing a problem they were having
> maintaining pressure for a fuel tank on an aerospace project. The problem
> was compounded by weight considerations & the fact that the new technology
> they'd based their RFP response on was lagging in development. That's when
> the brainstorm struck! Why not solve my problems with the espresso machine
> by doing away with the oscillating water pump and replace it with an
> eccentric axis pump similar to the Wankel engine?
>
> So, now I'm huddled together with some people who're a whole lot smarter
> than me to determine the feasibility of designing, developing, & marketing
> such a pump. We've started the patent process, done some initial design &
> prototyping, with the goal of having a fully functional model by December.
> We're fairly confident in the design. We're shooting for an initial MSRP of
> $67, with prices to come down once we can get it into full production.
>
> From what started as a whim it now looks like I've started another business.
> It'll be tough crafting a niche; we can't decide whether to aim for the home
> or commercial market (I'm the only one leaning toward home use). The
> competition is so firmly entrenched in their customer base that it'll be
> tough driving a wedge between them. We'll probably be doing the tradeshow
> circuit again (hate it), this time for the food & beverage group instead of
> the aerospace groups I'm used to dealing with.
>
> We haven't come up with a name for the espresso maker yet; any FREE
> suggestions that has a Texas theme?
>
> Sorry for the long & boring synopsis of my actions in this field but I'm
> excited to be back in harness again.
>
> Robert (but I'm supposed to be retired!) Harmon
> --
> http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
> Remove "Z" to reply via email.
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