Year: 1889

page_text: I, JACKSON FLETCHER EVANS of Mansfield, in the County of Bristol, Stato of
Massachusetts, United States of America, wheelwright 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
-
My invention relates to that class of water wheels, which revolves horizontally, and
consists, first of suitable gates to admit the water; secondly, of water wheels, having
a circumferential rim and radial buckets, set angularly; thirdly of a stationary
deflecting device, with radial plates, set angularly in a direction substantially at right
angles with the buckets of the water wheels, said deflecting device being interposed
horizontally between the water wheels of the series: and fourthly, of a suction
chamber beneath the series of wheels, with proper openings for the water to pass into
the same and a discharge at the bottom arranged so as to form a water tap: all
constructed combined and operating as hereinafter more fully specified.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a plan of my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 shows, partly in elevation and partly in diametrical, vertical section, the
internal construction of my device.
Figures 4 and 5, are respectively a plan and a diametrical section of a modified
form of the gates, which admit the water to the wheel.
Figure 6 is a sectional view on line x, x, of Figure 1.
Figure 7 shows a top plan and side elevation of the low-water wheel of the
series.
Figure 8. shows a top plan and side elevation of the deflector. .
.

page_text: Figure 9, is a top plan and side olevation of the upper water wheel of the series.
Figure 10, is a side elevation of the water wheels in position on the shaft and
connected by the pin, but with the intermediate deflector removed.
In the drawings A represents the shaft on which, the wheels are mounted. My
invention is shown in the drawings as consisting of a series of only two water wheels,
the upper one marked B and the lower one C. A tubular cover D has a series of
gates a, which are hinged to the top of said cover D) on hinges arranged radially and
preferably equi-distant. These gates a are connected by a ring b, which passes
through wire loops or eyes con each gate. These gates are raised or lowered by
rods d which are attached to the ring 6 and unite above with a head e, mounted and
raised in any suitable manner.
Within the tubular portion of the cover D, the first or upper water wheel Bis
placed. This consists of a central drum f, having a central aperture g through which
the shaft A passes. It has a circumferential rim h and buckets k arranged radially
(see Figure 9) which buckets are set at an angle, as shown in Figures 6 and 9.
The deflector E consists of two concentric rings l, m; the former of a diameter
slightly greater than that of the water wheel B, and the latter of a diameter slightly
greater than that of the drum of said water wheel. A series of deflecting plates n
are arranged radially between the parts l, m, and are permanently attached thereto at
a suitable angle, preferably in a direction at right angles with the planes of the
buckets k of the water wheel B. A shoulder or bead o extends around the external
surfaces of the ring on the central line thereof.
The second or lower water wheel C of the series is made precisely like the wheel B,
except that its drum p is closed on all sides and is extended to a height nearly equal
to the combined thicknesses of the water wheels B, C, and deflector E, so that when
the water wheels and deflector are properly mounted, the top surface of the drum p is
brought in contact with the under surface of the central plate and the two
wheels B, C are fastened together by a pin, which passes through the holes of the
drums f, p. The lower water wheel of the series is attached to the shaft A and the
upper water wheel revolves with it by means of the pin connection of the wheel-drums
as described.
of.
The suction chamber F is cylindrical and is of a considerably greater diameter than
that of the wheels and has a concentric flange r and a central aperture nearly
coincident therewith but smaller. A cross-bar S extending diametrically across said
aperture has a central socket and receives therein the lower end of the shaft A. The
chamber is tubular, having no bottom of its own, but is open, resting upon blocks t
of the basin G. The tubular portion of the chamber F extends down into the basin
below the upper rim u thereof. The several parts of my device are assembled as
shown in Figures 2 and 3. The wheels B, C, and the deflector E are enclosed in a
chamber formed by the cover D and the flanger of the suction chamber F. These
tubular portions shut over the rim of the deflector E and rest against the shoulder
or bead of said rim, as seen in figures 2 and 3. The parts are then so fitted together
by this connection that the deflector E is held immovably in position but the water
wheels B, C are free to revolve.
Having thus described the parts of my invention, I will now explain the
operation.
The penstock rests upon the top of the chamber F and conducts the water to the
wheel, as usual. The gates are raised, as shown in Figure 2, and the water rushes
through, in the angular direction indicated in said Figure by the planes of said gates
so lifted. The water thus strikes the buckets k of the upper wheel B in a direction
approximating a right angle to the surface of said buckets, respectively, figure 6 and
turns the wheel. The water, however, being confined in the buckets by the flange h,
has no place of escape, except by passing through the buckets downward in the
direction of the planes of the buckets k..
The water after it has passed through the buckets of the wheel B, enters the
deflector E between the radial plates n; but as said plates n are stationary and do not

page_text: revolve and are substantially at a right angle with the buckets of the wheel B, the
water is deflected and flows in a direction determined by said radial plates, figures 6
and 8 it then strikes upon the buckets k of the wheel C at about a right angle
therewith and imparts its full pressure and weight to the wheel (), also.
As many water wheels as may be desired may be added to the series, provided
deflectors are used alternately with the wheels. By this arrangement the power
may be increased in proportion to the number of wheels used. Each wheel of the
series receives the full weight and pressure of the water column and in the same
direction.
When the water has passed through the wheels, it enters the chamber F in
centripetal currents from the buckets k, and being enclosed in a larger space forms in
said chamber a whirlpool or vortex and escapes from the chamber into the basin G
and over the edge of said basin, as indicated by arrows in figures 2 and 3. By the
construction and relation of the chamber F and basin G, as shown in figure 3 a water-
trap is formed, which allows the discharge of the water but prevents the entrance of
air from below. The vertical movement of the water within the chainber F, under
these circumstances, causes a strong downward suction and this suction draws the
water from above downward through the wheels with a greater velocity and power.
The water power by this contrivance is not merely that derived from the head, i.e. the
weight and pressure of the water column above the wheels, but also that derived by.
the draft or suction of that water column below the wheels. This suction, which is in
fact a tendency to a vacuum, increases the power of the water column in proportion
to the excess of the diameter of the suction chamber over that of the wheels.
This suction chamber may be used not only with the wheels hereinbefore described,
but with any turbine or horizontally revolving water wheels, with the same effect.
By providing a circumferential rim for the water wheels, I compel the water to
expend its entire force upon the wheels themselves. In wheels of this class there is
usually no outer rim, and, as a consequence, the water comes in forcible contact with
the inner surfaces of the enclosing case and by its friction and resistance upon and
against, these fixed and unyielding surfaces loses power. By experimental tests I
have found that a considerable percentage of the dynamic power of the water is
gained by constructing the wheels with such rims, as compared with the use of wheels
as commonly made.
has
In Figures 4 and 5 I show a modified form of the gates in which the cover
apertures to and a movable plate y having similar apertures operates as a damper to
admit the water in vertical columns through said apertures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. The combination of the shaft A, the horizontally revolving water wheel C,
mounted on said shaft and having a central drum p fitting into said drum f, as shown
and connected by the pin q, passing through said drums f, p and each wheel having
radially arranged buckets and a circumferential rim, which is equal in width to the
thickness of the wheel, and a deflector E, located between said water wheels and
having a central aperture, a circumferential rim equal in width to the thickness of
said deflector, and deflecting plates arranged radially and set at an angle with the
buckets of said water wheels, substantially as specified.
Second. In combination with a horizontally revolving water wheel and its case, a
suction chamber located beneath the same and concentric therewith, said chamber
having an opening above to receive the water from the wheel and its lower end
opening into a basin of larger diameter, so as to form a water-trap therewith,
substantially as described.
the
Third. The combination of the basin B, the suction chamber F, resting on blocks t
within said basin and having a concentric flange or tubular position r and
cover having gates a and fitting together to form a case, substantially as shown.

page_text: Fourth. The improved water wheel herein described, consisting of the shaft A the
wheels B, C, having radial buckets k, rims h, drums, p and pin y, the deflector E
having radial plates n, rings l, m, and bead o, the cover D, having radial gates a, the
suction chamber' F, having the cross bar s, and central tubular flanger, and the
basin G, having blocks t, all arranged and operating substantially as and for
the purpose specified.