GB154188A - Improvements in and relating to buoyancy motors - Google Patents

Abstract

154,188. Schultz, E. J. A. Nov. 20, 1919, [Convention date]. Buoyancy motors; tidal energy, utilizing.-A hydro-pneumatic motor is operated by compressed air derived from a tidal energy plant. A wheel formed with blades b fixed on a hollow drum c is completely immersed in water contained in a casing a so that the bearings are relieved of the weight. An inlet e at the bottom of the case and an outlet g at the top are in communication with compression and suction chambers of a tidal energy plant by conduits F and G, Fig. 3. By means of piston valves P, P<1>, the conduit F can be put in communication with a chamber A or B and the conduit G with the chamber B or A; at the same time cylindrical bell valves C, C' allow communication between the chamber A and a channel D open to the tide or a channel D' open to a low-level reservoir E and reversely for the chamber B. At high tide, when the valves are in the positions shown in Fig. 3, there is compression in the chamber A and rarefaction in the chamber B which consequently fill and empty respectively. The valves P, P<1> and C, C' are then reversed so that there is now pressure in chamber B and rarefation in chamber A, the conduits F and G still being the compression and rarefaction conduits respectively. As the tide ebbs, a critical level M<2> is reached due to the height of the water in the casing a; at this point the tide is cut off by a sluice gate N and a reserve of water, accumulated at high tide, in a high-level reservoir K, is used until the tide continuing to ebb, the low-level reservoir E can be used to give the compression. Regularity can be obtained by employing more than one pair of chambers, and effecting the gate operations at different times as nearly as possible after equal periods. Other liquids than water may be used in the casing a and gases other than air may be employed. The peripheral portions of the blades may be formed as shown at m, n, Fig. 2, to facilitate the filling of the pockets at the top.