US1037255A - Current-motor. - Google Patents

Description

W.'C. HOWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION HLBD FBB.1,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WHOwZazd @WA XM m @7am/25M gg attenua L) Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

W. Cl HGWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED Hum. 1912.

l )1m unuIUnLnnHuIll W. G. HWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.' APPLIUATION FILED Imm, 1912.

5937,255. A Patented sept. 3,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' ,EIEJ-D. I

Applcaon filed February l, El?.

of "Wisconsin, have invenecl eermicl. useful lfnlpiovenients in Curo?. which. the following is a Vmon7 refe 'ence being had to the acl a nge.

'l' non relates to surfent motors j has ile object to provide a Simple,

lolo and. eel"ve device of'l'his character a marfinnun amount of Woning he obtained from a minimum Juve. "lum". .er oln'ee' of the invention reSides in vision of a, nlualty of radially Cliswffi infusi. ceeewing blades nnivelfsally conmelw. n power transmission ,Sliatj anu means for automatically lowering and Y Said blaues successively inl-o and out foam and Simultaneously varying 7ev cal. inclination whereby the full the ouu'eut is Caused to act upon lo drive the ransniiseion shaft. lieiV4 on' ,el of Lelle invention le )n of a Support for the ing arme' mounted upon ".liag]a an annula guide having oppositely in "oorr'izione, and means carried by the :-a:-.ing xvii". means ai'i'anged upon oi the free inoveinen. cai. plane and assist in 3 np one of alle inclined por- 'wl-1 as the same emenfge from .e '1 point ol o dispose 'me Same in a ion 'geo-turca novel lie present invenion; on iii-e line 2--2 of Fig.

.in on ille Vline 3-3 of end ehn/ation7 lie .olado ea'l'iyi moved; Fig.

1 lholine SM5 o l Fig. non laken on 'ine line (3-6 oi' Specification of Letters ?atent.

i5 a diagianm -n' eralv angulalf posilnnfs 1 'eiation to ille c1|i..ei1i^ an moy n.`.-.' ille water; lgt S 1e a eide elex'aii ol the blade 'farrymg arms; ifi Yleiv thefeo; Fig'. l0 is. a oi' the verhally n1 n lng means enel-eiser, specive www of lille Fig. l2 is a similai vien' 13 is a detail perspe ve'tioally movable ruoli# an a U lll f.

hie plaie lfall the movable. plue; l 'view of one end of 'lie arm eupgwn.- ina Referring in delail lo he desiguales he' rail suppolliugf lios which. are lai-:l upon 'the baul; and bell ol' he Stream. Upon heee tier. 'de z rails G ae seemed upon 'en' T iS inouned, said 'l'anxe ino i 8 the Wheels of which are imponen 'for movl nient upon the 'une z ils. This frame is of elongated rect-angular fo plan and includes a plurality of i'az @Kei beams 9 and. an intermedia e longitudinal la' 1U. veically disposed pmvei' i' drive Shaft l1 is roia'alilj-y suitable bem-'ing 12 allnntqm longiudinal beam 1G. A l1 posed table 13 is fixed upon Tesis upon `lie antiiicfon n ae lnonned upon the n: beanie 9. An oetag'onalsha in eonoenti'ie 13 and Connected lier miek.

01M o i i s parallel ba Saul have nem; :www l feiner in approved .i xunei. ieiween any i: ends of ille oa `fil ne ouf-ei" 20 u; aman-ge t 23 lo resolve und b0- el liars "2l a oar is iigidly fixed i'n said first named bar by'nieans of a plurality of bolts 24 which are disposed through said bars and vri idly secure the same together. The bla es are further shaft 11. This track upon one side of the shaft 11 is provided with oppositely inclined downwardly extending portions 28v and 28, the inclined portion 28 being/of greater length than the portion 28. At the approach to the lower end. of the inclined portion 28 of this track, a downwardly curved cam portion 29 is formed therein which extends below the plane of the upper surface of the bed frame 7. g Each of the blade carrying arms v19 is mountedupon a supporting truck Si), which consists of. a metal bar 31 disposed ii spaced concentric l relation to the track 26 ar, 1d exteriorly thereof. 0n one end of this bar a lateral extension 32 is formed upon which the blade carrying arm rests. A roller 33 is suitably mounted upon this bar and bears upon, the inner portion 4of the surface of the track 26. The other end of the bar 31 isdisposed at a right angle and extends over 4the annular 'track as indicated at 34. In this angularly disposed end of the bar a second roller 35 is mounted which moves upon the outer portion of the track surface.

Upon the octagonal ring 15 the vertically disposed inwardly curved standards 36 are mounted, said standards corresponding in number with the blade carrying arms 19. These standards are longitudinally slotted as indicated at 37 to receive one end of a bolt 38 mounted upon each of the arms in the upstanding lugs 39 which are fixed to the inner ends of the parallel bars 21. 'This bolt is loosely disposed through these lugs and upon one end thereof a coiled spring 40 is arranged, said spring bearingl at its r ends 'against a head on the end of the bolt y and one of the lugs 39'. By loosely mounting the blade carrying arms upon the frame 15 in this man-ner, it will be seen that they 'may move freely thereon in a vertical plane,

and may also be angularlyfdisposed with relation to the transverse axis of the drive shaft 11. A beveled gear 41 is fixed upon the lowerend of the shaft 11 and meshes with the teeth. of a pinion 42 which is secured upon the end of a power shaft 43 mounted in suitable bearings 44 on the under side of the bed frame 7. This shaft transmits the power from the shaft 14 to the machine which it is desired to operate, any approved coupling or connecting means between said shaft and the machine being employed.

As-thus far described, the Operation of my improved motor is substantially as fola slight angle from the shaft 11, said blades being-also disposedat a slight transverse inclination toward' the cables 25 which connect the same with the frame 15.

, Referring now more particularly to Fi 7, A indicates the position of the bla e when the arm reaches the end of the decline; 28 in the track 26. It will be noted that the blade is angularly dis osed toward the strengthening wire or'ca le 25. This angulardisposition of the blade is caused by the roller or wheel.35 of the arm supporting f truck being disposed upon the decline of ar# f the track. The blades are prefera ranged in the bars 20 with their major porl tions depending below said bars so tha't substantially the entire surface of the blade'is presented across ,the current of the stream, and the force of said current acting upon the blade tends to move the same downwardly as Well as to push the blade through the water. Thus when the roller 35 reaches the footi-fof the decline 28 of the track, this angular position of the blade is decreased until the same is disposed at substantially right angles to the direction of the current as indicated at B. As the roller or wheel 35 moves into the camportion 29 of the track, the angle of the blade is changed so that it slants away from the cable 25, and the pressure of the'water has a tendency to raise the blade and thereby assist in' its movement up the inclined portion 28 of the annular track. When the blade reaches the top of this incline it is disposed as shown at C wherein-the angle of the blade is reversed to that shown at A. This latterangular position of the blade is caused by the roller or wheel 35 on the arm'-1 being at the foot of the incline 28 of the annular track while the other of said rollers is at the top thereof. As the lower roller gradually ascends the incline the .anffle of lthis blade is correspondingly lessened7 lsaid roller reaches the top of the incline the angle of the blade is again reversed so that it inclines toward the cable 25. `rlhe coiled springs 40 on the rods 38 being placed under and when y pea compression as the arms move down the decline Q8 in the track, act to accelerate the movement of the arms up the incline 2S thereof. By thus changing the transverse angular positions ofthe blades, the strength of the current of thf stream is utilized to its fullest extent whereiirv a maximum of working power is derived therefrom.

Inraddition to the foregoing l have also devised means whereby the device may be easily and quickly rendered inoperative. This means consists of a longitudinally dis-l posed shaft 45 having a hand wheel l?) on one endand a Worm e7 on its other end. This ivorin meshes with the teeth of a Worm gear 48 secured upon a transverse shaft 49 which is mounted in suitable bearings upon the longitudinalside bars of the bed frame 7. Upon each end of this transverse shaft a cog 5l is secured, and hese cogs mesh with the vertically disposed rack bars 52 pivoted to the ends of' a plate 53 which is arranged Within the annular track 26 and in concentric relation thereto. rllhe rack bars 52 are movable `through guide members 54 which arranged upon the longitudinal bars of ine frame 7. A rack bar 55 supports the central portion 'of the curved plate 53 which rests upon a roller 55 on the'upper end of said rack bar. A short longitudinally disposed shaft 56 is iounted upon the frame 7 and carries a cog 7 to mesh With the teeth of the rack bar 55.`

,P pinion 58 is fixed on the inner end of this shaft and engages with the teeth of a bevbe bvious that when the shaft 49 is ro- ?"ited the rack bars 52 will be raised to ele- 7 vate the ends of the curved plate 53.

' lllirougli the medium of the gearing 57, 58 and 59, the rack bar 55 is also raised rbut to a greater extent than the bars 52 whereby the central portion of the plate 53 is eleafbove the plane of the end portions 'lt consequently follows that in the inovianent or the blade carrying arms as they approach the Water, they will be gradually elevated after moving off of the highest portion ofthe track 26 and as the centrai portion of said plate 53 is elevated to the plane of the horizontal portion of the trackj the blades will be maintained out of Contact with the Water until the arms come to a full stop.

' From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and operation of my improved current motor will'be fully understood. By means of the construction and arrangement of parts above described, a maximum of power 'may be obtained from a current having small. impellin-g force and the full power of the current utilized. -By providing the bracing cables 25 for the blades, most of the strain devolves upon said cables and the frame .bility of brealiage point of connection t the cari lt will of course oci/ions that i er or less number of t arms and blade or paddles may be provi ed than l have illustrated in the accoinpanvine drawings lt Will also be understood t iat the invention is susceptible of a great many minor modiiications in the forni, proportion :in-:l arrangement of the parts Without uiting from the essential feature or safriiunig an of the advantages thereof. i

Having thus described the invention what is claimed isf-- l. ln a. current via ft, ra-

to said r lually va` f iianes as they are 'the water by the current. nioton a drive shaft, ra-

eonnected to said e same.y and means mrtically during a portion of each of said shaft, and simultaneously dispos the blades in 'vertically inclinedplanes uith relation to the current.

3. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed blades connected to said drive shaft to rotate the saine, and means for successively disposing `said blades longitudinally and vertically inclined planes during the intermediate portion of their ino-vement through the Water.

ln current motor,- adrive shaft, r dially disposed blades connected to saro shaft for univ l movement, means rigidly ii d on the shaft and connected to the battles whereby the shaft is rotated, means for successively lowering and raising tinL blades during a portion of each revolution of the shaftand simultaneously moving the blades to dispose the same in longitudinal i impeded tl g ln a cnrren dially oisposed drive shaft to r for moving said i.

to said shaft and automatically reversing the transverse inclination thereof as the blades are lowered and raised respectively.

ln a current motor, a.. drive shaft. r diall y disposed blade carrying arias rcnnerf ed to said shaft for universal movement. a supporting track for the arms 'ivher .rn said arms are normally disposed upwardly at an inclination to the shaft supportii for said arms movable on the track having opoositely inclined lower and raise the blade i Y also dispose the sau in traowose intiin i.. Planes, the nur-:eine f the trucks from one of the inclined porti of the iraclc onto the' other inclined portion.autom. ticallv reversing suoli transverse inclination of blades.

(l. ln a current motor, a drive sha' trucks` y i and inea nsand transverse inclined planes with relation dially disposed blade carrying arms connected to said shaft at their inner ends for uni versal movement-a horizontally' disposed.

track to support the arms in upwardly in- 5 clined positions with relation tothe shaft, supporting trucks for the arms movable on said track, said track having oppositely inclineddownwardly extending portions on one side of the shaft, the movement of the supporting trucks upon said inclined portions successively lowering and raising the blade carrying arms in each revolution of the shaft to vary their longitudinal inclination with relation thereto and simultaneously dispose the blades in transverse inclined planes, said track having a cam portion vto receive the arm sup orting trucks whereby the transverse inclination of the blades is automatically reversed as the arms ascend one of the Jinclined portionsof the track.

7 In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed blade carrying arms, universal connections between sald arms and the shaft, a frame rigidly mounted on the shaft, means connecting said arms to the framewhereby the shaft is rotated, a horizo'ntally disposed supporting track for the arms, said track having oppositely inclined,

downwardly extending portions on vone side of the shaft, the movement of said arms upon the inclined portions of the track successivelv lowering and raising the blades4 into andI out of the water, and-means carried by the arms for accelerating their movement up one of the inclined portions of t-he track and upon the horizontally disposed portion thereof. Y

8. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arms, blades fixed in the outer ends of said arms, universal connections between t-he inner ends of said arms and the shaft, a frame fixed on the shaft, vertical guide members for the arms mounted on the frame, a track supporting said arms for circular movement, supporting trucks for the arms movable on said track, and a cam portion in the track to receive said trucks whereby the blades are automatica-lly disposed in transverse inclined' planes. v

9. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, blades on the outer ends of said arms, universal connections between the inner ends of the arms and said shaft, vertical guide members for the arms movable with the shaft, a horizontally disposed track, supporting trucks for the armsy movable on the track, said track having oppositely and downwardly inclined portions on one side of the shaft, the movement of said trucks upon the respective inclined portions of the track lowering and raising the blades into and out of the water and simultaneously disposing the same in relatively tions of the trackand upon the horizontal opposite transverse inclined planes, and means carried by the arms to accelerate their movement up one of the inclined portions of the track and upon the horizontal portion thereof. 70

l0. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, blades fixed in the vouter ends of said arms, universal connections between the inner ends of the arms and said shaft, a frame rigidl mounted on the 75 shaft, vertical guide mem ers for the arms fixed u on the frame, an annular supporting track or the arms having oppositely and downwardly inclined portions on one side of the shaft, the movement of the arms upon 30 the respective inclined portions of the track successively lowering and raising the blades into and out of the water, and truss cables connected to said frame and to said blades.

11. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, blades fixed in the outer ends of said arms, universal connections between the inner ends of the arms and said shaft, a frame rigidly mounted on the shaft, vertical standards fixed upon the frame having longitudinal slots therein, bolt-s loosely mounted upon the armsand disposed for movement in said slots, a horizontal track having oppositely and downwardly inclinedl portions upon one side of said shaft, trucks supporting the arms for movement on said track, the movement of the trucks upon the respective inclined portions of the track successively lowering and raisingthe blades into and out of the water', 100 and coiled springs mounted on the bolts carried by said arms to .ccelerate the movement of the arms up one of the inclined porportion thereof.

12. In a current motor, a drive shaft, -radially disposed arms having blades fixed in their outer ends, universal connections betweenthe inner ends of said blades and the shaft, an annularsupporting track for said arms having inclined portions upon one side of said shaft whereby the blades are lowered and raised into and out of the water, and manually operable means arranged beneath the arms to engage and support said blade carrying arms out of engagement, with the inclined portions of the track whereby the blades are maintained in their'elevated positions.

13. In a current'motor, a drive shaft, ra- 120 dially disposed arms having blades fixed in their outer ends, universal connections between the inner ends of said blades and the shaft,l an annular supporting track for said arms having inclined portions upon one side of said shaft ywhereby the blades are lowered and raised into and out of the water, a vertically movable plate arranged in concen- 'tric relation to the track beneath the arms, ,and manually operable means to raise said 13o track and beneath the arms, and manually operable means for-raising the central portion of said plate to lthe plane of the horizontal portion of the track whereby the arms are supported o of the inclined portions of the track and the blades ,maintained in` position above the water in the circular rmovement of the arms.

1f ,lf/l5. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arins having blades fixed in their outer ends, universal connections between the 'inner ends of/said blades and the shaft, anannular supporting track for said arms having inclined portions u on one sid'e of said shaft whereby the .bla es are low- 'ered and raised into and out of the water, a platearranged inconcentric relation to the trackand adjacent the inclined portions thereof, a vertical rack bar p'ivoted to each Aend of said plate, guides for said rack bars,

manually operable means co-acting with said rack bars to raise theend portions of the plate, vand additional means to simultaneously raise. the central portion of said plate and to a greater extent than the end portions thereof whereby the arms are elevated and the blades carried 'thereby maintained in position above the water in the circular movement of the arms.

16. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arms having blades liXed in their outer ends, vuniversal connections between the inner ends of said blades and the shaft, an annular supporting track for said arms having inclined portions upon one side of said shaft whereby the blades are lowered and raised into and out of thewater, a plate arranged in concentric relation to said track and adjacent the inclined portions. thereof, vertical rack bars pivoted-to the endsl of said plateguide members for said rack bars, a rack bar supporting the central portion of said plate, and manually operabley means co-acting with said rack barsto raise said plate to the plane of the horizontal portion ofthe track whereby the arms are supported olf of the inclined portions of the track andthe blades maintained in posi' tion above the water in t-he circular movement of said arms.

I'n testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence of two witne as.,V y WINFRED C. HOWLA'DI Witnesses: v t

FRED'C. WAERZKE, FRANK SELL.

'Copies of this patent may be obtained for ivo oen'cl each, By addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G.

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