US38775A - Improvement in water-wheels - Google Patents

Description

No. 38,775. I PATENTED JUNE-2, 1868.

Y H. VAN DEWATER. v

WATER WHEEL.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFI E.

HENRY VAN DEWATER, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT lN WATER-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,775, dated June 2,1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY VAN DEWATER, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Water-Wheel 5 and I do hereby declare that the following'is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, makinga part of this specilicatiomin which- Figure l is a vertical section of my invention, taken in the line as :0, Fig.2. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same, the top of the wheel-case being removed Fig. 3, a detached inverted plan of the wheel; Figs. 4 and 5, (let tached views 'of a bucket belonging to the wheel.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to an improved waterwheel of that class which are placed on vertical shafts, are inclosed within a case, and have a draft-tube connected with the case.

The invention consists in a peculiar construction of the wheel, and also in a novel construction and arrangement of the case'and water-chamber in which the shaftof the wheel is stepped, whereby it is believed that a very simple and efficient water-wheel of the kind specified is obtained.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a case or penstock, in the bottom of which a circular opening is made to receive a lube, B, which is a trifle larger in diameter than the water-wheel, a-nd.whicliiscolnmonly termed a draft-tube.

the case 0 is provided with four chutes, Df,

the sides (I of which are of curved form, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower part, b, of the case (J is of flaring form, so thatits lower edge will fit snugly against the inner side of the draftt ube B, as shown at c in Fig. 1.

D represents thewheel, the shaft E of which 18 stepped on an upright, f, in an inverted conical chamber, F, which restson cross-pieces g in the drafttube. The wheel D has a peculiar-shaped'hub, G, the lower part, h, of which is of cylindrical form, the upper part, 1', being inclined at an angle of about forty-five degrees, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The surfaces of the two parts h i have about an equal area, and at the upper edge of the part i of the hub there is a horizontal rim or flange, j.

Hrepresents the buckets which are attached to the parts h '1'. of the hub G. These buckets are of concave form at their face sides, as shown clearlyin Fig. 4, and they are provided with a lip, k, at their outer edge, which proiects forward and render the buckets somewhat of cup or dish form to catch and retain the water. The upper edges of the buckets are beveled or of miter form, corresponding with the inclined surface I of the hub G, and

'the several buckets lap over each other in an inclined posit-ion,- spaces. of suitable capacity being allowed between the lower. ends of the buckets to form issues. Each bucket H has a flange, I, connected with it, which is the segment of a rim, 1, the several segments being in contact, so as to form a continuous hand all around the wheel when thebuckets are at tached to it. (See Fig.1.) To thelunderside of the rim or flange jthere are attached a series of pendent lips, m, one in line with each bucket and'having a slight angular position relatively with them. These pendent lips m do not project down a great distance, as they are designed simply to form prominences for the water to catch or act'a-gainst as it enters the buckets, thereby serving as guides. The hub G has a hole, a, made in it to allow the inverted conical chamber F to fill with water.

The advantages of the invention are as follows: The water is made to act in the most ctficient manner uponthe wheel. The hub Gr, in consequence of being formed of a vertical cylindrical part, It, and inclined part 1', gives the buckets H a great capacity at their outer parts, so that they will freely receive the water,

1 while the lips m properly direct the water into the buckets, and the lips k serveto catch or retain it. These are essential features pertainin g to the wheel and render it capable of workingin the most favorable manner under the percussive force of the water the power of thew'ater due to gravity being 0' tained'as the water escapes down through the issues; The chamber F keeps the step of the shaft perfectly lubrieated, and at the same time the upward'pressure of the water in F against the under side of the hub G takes the weightof, the wheel ofi from the step, while the chamber]? in consequence of its inverted conical form causes an equal draft or suction all around the bottom of the wheel. The lower end of the draft-tube B is immersed in water, so as 'to cause the usual suction 1 or draft, as in the French Jouval wheel.

Having" thus described my invention,

Iciaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The buokets.H, constructed as shown, so as to conform to the shape of the hub G, and

I','as and for the purpose set forth.

the purpose herein set forth.

below or underneath the wheel D, and inclosing the step 01' the shaft E,as and for the purpose herein set forth.

HENRY VANDEW ATER. Witnesses: v

EDWIN GLEAsoN, GEO M. RICE.

'provided with the lips k and segment-flanges I 2. The pendent lips m, attached to the under chutes D, all 'arran ged-p to operate as and for 4. The inverted conical chamber F, placed

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