Improvements in Apparatus for the Utilization of Power Obtainable from Water in Motion.
Year: 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Utilization of Power Obtainable
from Water in Motion.
JAMES RETTIE of 7 Deacon street Walworth in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
FREDERIC WILLIAM EUSTACE GRUGGEN of 32 Craven street Strand in the City of
Westminster Solicitor and HENRY JAMES PEACHEY of same address; House Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the utilization of power
obtainable from water in motion, and is chiefly intended to be applied in the
production and distribution of electric force in such quantities and at such prices as
will warrant its adoption whether for the purpose of electric lighting or driving
any class of machinery which may be driven by Electro Motive Force:
As we do not file drawings this specification must be read and understood in its
most literal and practical sense.
According to our invention we mount upon each of a pair of spindles a pair of
pitch chain wheels in such manner that the wheels upon the one spindle will form
pairs with those upon the other. These spindles are connected by means of
adjustable stretchers provided with bearings to take the spindles and in which they
are allowed to revolve.
We now pass a pair of endless pitch-chains around the said wheels, and the whole
is, made taut by means of the adjustable stretchers-the spindles and stretchers
forming, as it were a rectangular framework. Between the pitch-chains (and to
them) in paralell line with the spindles, we hinge a series of "floats" or blades of
wood or other suitable material in such manner, that they will turn readily in one
direction or the other to a given angle to the chains upon which they are mounted.
In action these floats together with the before described machinery, are immersed
in the water transversely to the current, and the stretchers are held in a vertical
position (by means hereafter discribed) one spindle being about level with the surface,
and the other submerged to a given depth according to the length of stretchers, the

page_text: so on.
floats travel with the chains upwards at one side of the stretchers, over the pitch-
wheels and spindle, down the other side, under the lower spindle, up, as before and
Now to obtain this action from the current we cause the floats to take an
opposite angle whilst traveling down, to that which they take when traveling
upwards, so that the body of water rushing through them, will act with a depressing
force upon those at one side, and give an elevating power to those upon the other-
We obtain the required angles by the following arrangement-we pass an endless
chain-band of the same length as the pitch-chains around the two spindles, on the
inner side of the line of the floats, and attach the inner edges of the floats thereto,
at distances apart equal to to the distances at which they are hinged to the pitch-
chains, this chain-band is made to pass over a spur wheel which we mount (by
prefference) upon the upper spindle.
The spurs of this wheel are broad at the points and of sufficient length to pass in
between the floats and depress the chain-band there-between to a point that will
bring the inner edges of the floats almost together whilst they are passing over it,
the effect of this is, the chain-band is lifted, and with it the inner edges of the floats,
causing them to present their surfaces diagonly to the current.
The machine as above discribed is then fitted into and supported by a suitably
constructed floating vessel, and held in its vertical position, by means of suitable
ties, extending diagonly from the lower portions of the stretchers, to which they are
attached, to a part of the vessel where they can be conveniently fastned. The vessel
being stationary, the water passes through the floats, acts upon them in the manner
herein before discribed, and gives motion to the chain-wheel and spindles, from
whence it may be transmitted to any required point and for any suitable purpose.
Having now fully described the nature of the said invention and the manner in.
which the same is to be carried into effect, we would state in conclusion what we
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim to be secured to us by Letters
Patent is
First. The application of floats presenting their surfaces diagonly and traveling
verticaly to the current of water in motion for the utilization of power obtainable
from such.
Second. The combination of chain-wheels, spindles, pitch-chains, stretchers and
floats, and the method of actuating them by means of the chain-band and spur wheel,
substantialy in the manner as herein before discribed.
24
1
1000
JAMES RETTIE.
F. W. E. GRUGGEN.
HENRY J. PEACHEY.