US 5,947,678 A · Water wheel with cylindrical blades

Abstract

An improved liquid rotor device is provided having a cylindrically-shaped hub, which is supported by a horizontal shaft, and having several curved blades which are attached to the outer portions of the rotating hub. The horizontal shaft preferably rotates with the hub so that it can mechanically drive a device such as an electrical generator. The multiple blades mounted to the exterior surface of the hub are curved such that the longitudinal axis of each blade is parallel to the axis of rotation (i.e., the horizontal shaft). Each blade is arcuate in shape and preferably comprises a portion of the cylindrical wall of a hollow cylinder. In one embodiment of the, the rotating hub and blades sub-assembly is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical housing that is entirely submerged in a liquid, such as water. The surrounding hollow cylindrical housing has an inlet to receive the liquid into the area of the rotating blades and an outlet through which the liquid is discharged. The inlet preferably is in communication with the discharge of a constricting chamber that has a large opening area and a small discharge area, such as a portion of a venturi. By use of this chamber, the velocity of the liquid is increased as it approaches the inlet.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A submerged liquid rotor apparatus, comprising:

a rotatable central hub having a cylindrical surface;
a plurality of curved blades attached to an outer surface of said central hub such that said blades exhibit a rotational travel in accordance with rotational movement of said hub;
a substantially cylindrical housing with circular end walls that surrounds said rotatable central hub and curved blades, said housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet and outlet being spaced apart along the rotational travel of said blades by over 180 degrees;
and an intake chamber in communication with said inlet, said intake chamber having an intake opening of an area that is larger than an area of said inlet, wherein said inlet acts as a discharge opening for said intake chamber;
and wherein said intake opening and said outlet are each in direct communication with a liquid medium.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water wheel with cylindrical blades

Life of this patent

Water wheel with cylindrical blades

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7