Rotary pumps are driven by a
crankshaft that is rotated by handles on two
flywheels attached to the ends of the shaft on each side of the pump. Rotary pumps were built with one, two or three
cylinders, and are operated by a team of two men.
Pistons attached to the crankshaft draw in air through the
inlet valves and then pump it through the outlet valves to an air hose which delivers the air to the
helmet of the
diver. Cylinders, valves and outlet fittings for air are generally made from
brass for corrosion resistance in the marine environment. Rotary operated pumps were manufactured with single or double action. Flow of air through the helmet could be controlled by manually adjusting the back-pressure on the helmet exhaust valve, usually on the lower right side of the bonnet, and by manually adjusting the inlet supply valve on the airline, usually fastened to the front lower left of the corselet. Flow rate would also be affected by the surface delivery system and depth. Manual pumps would be operated at the speed necessary for sufficient air supply, which could be judged by delivery pressure and feedback from the diver. Many manual pumps had delivery pressure gauges calibrated in units of water depth - feet or metres of water column - which would provide the supervisor with a reasonable indication of diver depth. If the diver needed more air, the operators would have to crank faster. ==Lever==