Electrical power generating system using a water wheel

There is provided a power generating system to recharge the batteries of a boat as the boat moves under power through a body of water. The electrical generating system has a relatively large water wheel connected to a boat. As the boat moves through the water, the water wheel turns producing energy and, through a series of pulleys and wheel gears and then to a generator or alternator and then the electrical energy is passed to a battery. The water wheel may be mounted on the stern of the boat, or to the side of the boat, or in a cut out portion in the bottom of the boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an improved system for producing electricity by using energy from water. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved system in which electricity is generated by a paddle wheel connected to a generator.

2. Description of Prior Art

The desire to produce energy from flowing water in a river, tides, or the like, dates back well over 100 years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 163,451, to Buckner, et al, issued in 1875, discloses a system to produce power from waves that includes a buoy actuated by the rise and fall of waves provided within guide rods that operate within six (6) socket plates, and adjustable racks for engaging the roof pinions, pawls and racket wheels. The rise and fall of the buoy with the wave action serves to rotate the gears to produce energy. U.S. Pat. No. 537,398, to Wilde, issued in 1895, describes a tidal power device in which incoming tidal water passes through a water wheel to a storage reservoir, releasing the water from the storage reservoir past the water wheel to transmit power from the wheel to a pulley and then to a dynamo. The end of the water wheel is connected to a circular rack which engages a gear and is adapted to move vertically by having its lower end journaled in a box mounted on the protruding end of an axle to transmit motion from a pulley to a dynamo or other suitable machine by a belt connection or any other suitable manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 651,454, to Wilkinson describes a motor which utilizes the ebb and flow of the tide to supply energy, having a combination of a high and low tide reservoir, each having an outlet and inlet channel, connecting the reservoir to the main body of water subject to the action of the tide. There is a water wheel in a channel leading from each of the reservoirs, which is adapted to be operated on during certain periods of the day by the water flowing into the low tide reservoir from the main body of water, and the other wheel adapted to operated during certain periods of time by the water flowing out of the high tide reservoir, and means to utilize the power generated by each water wheel, at times co-jointly, and at other times separately. On the shaft of each water wheel is a gear wheel working in mesh with another gear wheel mounted on another shaft to coordinate the two wheels. A power pulley is used to transfer the energy from the water wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 946,585, to Smith discloses an electrical generating system having two water wheels operating in parallel using the flow of water as motive power to turn pulleys with belts extending over other guide pulleys into a mill or power house. U.S. Pat. No. 1,333,443, to Rennolds shows a series of water wheels (one behind the other in a raceway). The series of wheels is geared to a common driving shaft and there are provisions whereby the wheels will turn one way when the tide is coming in, and in the opposite direction when the tide is going out, and will give a reasonably constant motion to the power shaft to which the wheels are connected.

Boats, in general, either lack electricity-generating means or only have such means when a gasoline engine is used to operate a generator. However, even when a gasoline engine is present on the craft, there are situations in which its use is either not convenient or impractical. Thus, it would be desirable to have a power-generating means which could keep a battery charged while a craft is in motion or at anchor in a current. Such a power-generating means would not only keep batteries charged but could also provide a continuous current when an electric motor is used to propel the boat and when other electrical apparatus on the craft are used.

Propeller operated generators on motor driven craft are known in the art, but they are not desirable because they are fixed and in a position which would increase the drag of the boat excessively, or because they are dependent on a rather high-speed craft for their utility. Some such power generating devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,973 to Lansing and U.S. Pat. No. 903,592 to Low, wherein a boat is driven by a central, stern-mounted, outboard motor with a submerged generator located off to one side, or in the keel area under the water line. In Low the hydroelectric impeller, or propeller, is located centrally of the stern of the boat, to remain submerged even during tilt of the boat, but the generator is above water level rather than being submerged.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is, therefore, the general object of the present invention to provide an electrical generating system for use in conjunction with boats, in which the generator is above water level and connected to a paddle wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical generating system which is compact and which will not contribute excessively to the drag of the boat in the water even when it is being operated under power.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical generating system that is operable by a relatively slow-moving fluid stream and having a motor attached to said electrical generating system for turning a shaft capable of having a series of attachments connected thereto, such as a saw blade, a drill, or the like.

There is provided a power generating system to recharge the batteries of a boat as the boat moves under power through a body of water. The invention comprises a device having a relatively large water wheel preferably mounted on the back end of a boat and behind a channel that formed in the bottom of a boat. As the boat moves through the water, the water wheel turns producing kinetic energy and, through a series of pulleys, the kinetic energy is passed through a gear assembly, and then to a generator or alternator mounted inside the boat. The water wheel may be mounted on the stern of the boat, or to the side of the boat, or in a cut out portion in the bottom of the boat.

In another embodiment of the electrical system of this invention, a broader aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical system for generating energy which comprises a housing that may be attached to a dock or the like, a water wheel attached to the main housing so that the water wheel is free to rotate and thereby generate kinetic energy, a series of pulleys and gears for converting the kinetic energy of the water wheel into electrical energy (an electrical generator), and a motor attached to said electrical generator for turning a shaft capable of having a series of attachments connected thereto, such as a saw blade, a drill, or the like.

The above objects have been substantially accomplished by provision of apparatus comprising a relatively large paddle wheel mounted on the back end of the boat and behind the channel that is formed in the bottom of the boat, through a speed-increasing gear assembly, to a generator mounted inside the boat. The water wheel is mounted on the stern of the boat and the wheel turns when water flow through the channel in the bottom of the boat. The most advantageous form of generator is that commonly called an alternator. The water wheel which is the prime mover in the apparatus of the invention, in order to provide sufficient torque at slow water speeds is relatively large. The water wheel turns at a relatively slow speed. The water wheel is connected to the generator by a system of pulleys and belts to produce kinetic energy. The turning speed of the water wheel is increased by pulleys and belts.

Other objects features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are several locations for placing the electrical generating system20of the present invention on a boat. One of these locations is on the stern of a boat10such as that shown inFIG. 3wherein the electrical generating assembly20is connected to the boat10by side wall supports22. The remainder of the electrical system is explained in detail with reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2.

Turning now toFIG. 1there is shown an embodiment of the system for generating electrical power20from water of the present invention connected to a boat10as the boat moves through the water showing the water wheel, the pulleys and the generator for producing electricity. The belts for transferring energy from the water wheel to and through the pulleys are not shown inFIG. 1so that the arrangement of elements will be clearly seen. In this embodiment of the invention, the hull11, is of any known or suitable type and may be a power boat or a sail boat. In the case of a power boat a conventional outboard motor is secured to the stern board13, usually at the center of the stern12.

The electrical generating assembly20is shown most clearly in the partial cutaway ofFIG. 2wherein the electrical generating assembly20in the embodiment ofFIG. 1is located at the stern of the boat and is held in placed by assembly side wall supports22. The electrical generating assembly20includes a water wheel24having an outer rim23connected on an axle26mounted through a journal26to water wheel supports28. If desired, the assembly side wall supports22may be braced to support the water wheel24at an appropriate distance from the stern12. The water wheel24has a plurality of outwardly extending fins29. A first pulley30is journaled on an axle33through the upper portion of assembly supports22. The pulley30has an outer rim31and a smaller diameter wheel gear32is also connected to axle33. A pair of pulley support beams34extend from assembly side supports22toward in interior of the boat. A belt25passes around outer rim23of water wheel24and wheel gear32of pulley30. As the boat moves through the water the water wheel24turns causing the belt25to rotate wheel gear32attached to axle of pulley30.

A second pulley36having an outer rim37and a smaller diameter wheel gear38is mounted to the support beams34through an axle journaled39on the support beams34. A second belt40extends around the outer rim31of first pulley30and around the wheel gear38connected to the second pulley36resulting in an increase of energy being produced. The energy being produced is transferred via belt45to a generator44(or alternator) mounted on support beams34inside the boat. As the water wheel24turns it produces electricity through the transfer of energy through the pulleys and wheel gears to the generator44. The electricity is passed thorough wires46to charge battery48.

FIG. 4is a rear view of a boat equipped with the generating electrical system20of the present invention. The electrical generating assembly20includes assembly supports22having water wheel supports28connected thereto and a water wheel24having an outer rim23connected on an axle26mounted through a journal26that extends through the water wheel supports28. The water wheel24has a plurality of outwardly extending fins29. A first pulley30is journaled on an axle33through the upper portion of assembly supports22. The pulley30has an outer rim31and a smaller diameter wheel gear32is also connected to axle33.

A preferred embodiment of the system for generating electrical power of the present invention is shown inFIG. 5. The electrical generating assembly20is similar to that described inFIG. 1except that the system is located within the hull of the boat. Referring toFIG. 5there is provided a well50having side walls52and end walls54that extend upwardly from the bottom of the boat a sufficient distance to prevent water from entering the boat through the well. In this embodiment the side walls52serve to replace the assembly side wall supports22of the embodiment ofFIG. 1. As with the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the electrical generating assembly20includes a water wheel24having an outer rim23connected on an axle26mounted through a journal26to water wheel supports28. The water wheel24has a plurality of outwardly extending fins29. A first pulley30is journaled on an axle33through the upper portion of side walls52. The pulley30has an outer rim31and a smaller diameter wheel gear32is also connected to axle33. A pair of pulley support beams34extend from assembly side supports22toward in interior of the boat. A belt (not shown) passes around outer rim23of water wheel24and wheel gear32of pulley30. As the boat moves through the water the water wheel24turns causing a belt (not shown) to rotate wheel gear32attached to axle of pulley30. A second pulley36having an outer rim37and a smaller diameter wheel gear38is mounted to the support beams34through an axle journaled39on the support beams34. A second belt (not shown) extends around the outer rim31of first pulley30and around the wheel gear38connected to the second pulley36resulting in an increase of energy being produced. The energy produced is transferred via a belt to a generator44(or alternator) mounted on support beams34inside the boat. As the water wheel24turns it produces electricity through the transfer of energy through the pulleys and wheel gears to the generator44. The electricity is passed thorough wires to charge battery48.

FIG. 6is an enlarged view of water wheel24. The water wheel24has an outer rim23as part of the body of the wheel24. The outer rim23is some what larger that the body and has a groove surrounding the outer portion of the rim to accommodate a belt for transferring the energy produced by the turning water wheel to an adjacent wheel gear to increase the ratio of energy produced. The body of the water wheel has a plurality of outwardly extending fins29for catching the water as the wheel rotates. While the number of fins is not limited by this invention, it has been found that a series of five fins provides good results.

A third embodiment of the system for generating electrical power of the present invention is shown inFIG. 7. In this embodiment, a portion of the electrical power generating system20is positioned at the side of the boat10. The portions of the system20having the water wheel24and the gear wheel32are connected to the outside of the boat. The energy produced from gear wheel32is transferred along axis33to pulley62located inside of the boat. Pulley62is supported by a pair of braces60. The support from braces60balances the weights of the portion of the system outside of the boat. The energy from pulley62is passed to another pulley as shown in the other embodiments.

The electrical assembly is operated as the boat moves through the water. The water wheel turns producing kinetic energy and, through a series of pulleys, the kinetic energy is passed through a gear assembly, and then to a generator or alternator mounted inside the boat. The water wheel may be mounted on the stern of the boat, or to the side of the boat, or in a cut out portion in the bottom of the boat. In one preferred embodiment of this invention the boat has a specially designed hull whereby a channel is made in the middle of the hull which increases the amount of rotation on the water wheel when the embodiment ofFIG. 5is used.

FIG. 8illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the electrical generating assembly120is attached to the side of a dock having water moving passed the water wheel124to generate electricity for operating a motor and providing sufficient electricity to power a tool attached to the motor. The operation of the electrical generating assembly120is similar to that of the assembly20described in reference to the embodiments ofFIG. 1andFIG. 7. The system for generating electrical power120shown in this embodiment is attached to the side of a dock. The water wheel124is held in position adjacent the dock by supports122. The water wheel124has an outer rim123connected on an axle mounted through a journal126to water wheel supports122. The water wheel124has a plurality of outwardly extending fins129. A wheel gear132is journaled on an axle133through the upper portion of assembly supports122. The energy produced from gear wheel132is transferred along axis133to pulley162located on the dock. Pulley162is supported by a pair of braces160. The support from braces160balances the weights of the portion of the system outside of the dock. The energy from pulley162is passed to a second pulley136having an outer rim137and a smaller diameter wheel gear138is mounted to the support beams134through an axle journaled139on the support beams134. A second belt (not shown) extends around the outer rim of first pulley162and around the wheel gear138connected to the second pulley136resulting in an increase of energy being produced. The energy being produced is transferred via a belt (not shown) to a generator144mounted on support beams134. As the water wheel124turns it produces electricity through the transfer of energy through the pulleys and wheel gears to the generator144. The electricity is passed thorough wires to motor148. Motor148is capable of using for turning a shaft capable of having a series of attachments connected thereto, such as a saw blade, a drill, or the like.