HELL, Jozef Karol
* 16. 5. 1713, Štiavnické Bane, Slovakia
† 10. 3. 1789, Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
Mining engineer
As the son of a designer of drainage appliances for tunnels in Štiavnica, H. already at an early age became aware of the mining problems. When he was twenty years old, he was appointed assistant to his father by the chamber in Banská Štiavnica and thus became the Master Engineer. The model of his first invention - the water pump machine, which is today known as the water lever turning mechanism – was presented to the main count chamber of commerce in Banská Štiavnica three years later.
A new type of water pump machine, developed by H. in practice proved to be much better than the previous ones. In 1738 both new machines were installed in the Siglisberg shaft, where H. also started working in 1742. H. made a total of eight water pump machines used in Štiavnica districts and other mining districts. Principle of using the static water pillar to drive the piston in the cylinder was already known to Bélidor in the 1720s.
H. tried to combine different principles in his constructions. This gave rise to his device for pumping air and the Newcom steam engine adjustment. The machines of this type were used in the second half of the nineteenth century in Arizona for drainage of the immersed tunnels with compressed air. In 1758 H. made the atmospheric steam engines for Königseg tunnel. He was also engaged in the modernization of manufacturing facilities (blowers, washing furnace) and building the fire engines.
