Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Utilizing Tidal or other Currents as a Motive Power.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1891
Comp ete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1891--Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
FRUVIDIONAL DE MULTIQATION.
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Utilizing Tidal or other
Currents as a Motive Power.
I, BERNARD AMBROSE COLLINS of 50 Glycena Road Lavender Hill in the
County of Surrey Meteorologist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
My invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for utilizing tidal or
other currents as a motive power and the objects of my invention are to obtain a
motor which will be propelled always in one direction irrespective of the direction
of the current and which will rise and fall with the tide and thus always maintain
a given position with relation to the surface of the water to take the power off
the shaft or axis of the motor at a constant and fixed point and to direct the
current in such a manner that it will be concentrated upon the acting side of the
motor.
In carrying my invention into effect I preferably make use of a spare arch of a
bridge over a tidal stream and I employ a vertical shaft which at its lower end is
mounted with capability of revolution in a footstep or other fixed bearing formed
in a sill located upon or near the bed of the river or in other suitable position and
which shaft at its upper end is mounted in hearings located above high water
mark.
Upon this vertical shaft I mount a watertight drum or cylinder in such manner
that it is capable of independent vertical movement in relation to the shaft but in
its revolution is compelled to give motion thereto and the drum is thus adapted to
rise and fall with the tide whilst always preserving the above relations with the
shaft.
The drum is constructed of such dimensions as will be suitable to the depth of
water at low water in the river or tide way and of any suitable material and it is
weighted or ballasted so as to submerge it to within about one foot of its upper
end which position it will constantly maintain whilst rising and falling with
the tide.
In order to constitute this drum or cylinder a motor I employ a number of
horizontal projecting arms which are fixed to the top and bottom ends of the drum
and are arranged in pairs disposed radially around the same and upon the outer
ends of each pair of arms I hang or mount upon centres of motion a vertical door,
paddle, or float in such manner that when swung inwards by the current it will
automatically shut with its outer edge against the drum or cylinder and form an
abutment for the current to act against but when in the revolution of the drum it
has passed a given point it will in the further revolution of the drum freely swing
open and present its edge to the current until it again arrives in position to be acted
upon thereby.
Upon the upper end of the vertical shaft I fix a toothed wheel which through a
train of wheels or other suitable means is caused to transmit the power developed
by the motor to any desired point on shore where it may be caused to drive a
number of dynamo-electric machines and thus generate electricity upon an extensive
scale for the lighting of towns or cities, or the power may be employed for other
purposes but it is especially applicable where economy is of importance.
By these means I obtain a motor which will act with equal efficiency upon the
ebb and flow of a tidal river or current and which will at all times preserve a given
position in relation to the surface of the water so as to utilize the full force of the
current without disturbing the vertical shaft in relation to its bearings and 1 am
thus enabled to take the power off the shaft at a constant and fixed point.

page_text: In order always to concentrate the current upon the acting side of the motor
notwithstanding the changes in the tide employ two swing gates which are
mounted upon vertical hinges or centres of motion located at opposite sides and
ends of the arch of the bridge and I arrange in connection with these gates fixed
stops which limit the extent to which the gates are free.to swing and cause them to
lie at a suitable augle to be automatically acted upon by, the current upon the turn
of the tide and to concentrate the current in the manner desired.
One of these gates only is in action at a time, that is to say the gate at that end
of the arch into which the current for the time being flows swings inwards against
its inner stop and lies at an angle from one side of the arch to about the centre
thereof thereby concentrating the current upon the acting side of the motor whilst
the opposite gate swings outwards against its outer stop and lies at a suitable angle
to be automatically swung inwards upon the turn of the tide.
In some cases I construct these gates hollow and mount them upon their axes
with capability of rising and falling with the tide and I ballast them in a similar
manner to the motor so that they may be caused to maintain a suitable position in
relation to the surface of the water.
In lieu of mounting the paddles or floats by their outer edges upon the outer
ends of arms projecting from the drum or cylinder I sometimes hinge their inner
edges to the periphery of the drum and open and close them at the desired points
in the revolution of the motor by means of a toothed wheel or eccentric fixed to the
upper bearing of the vertical shaft and connected by means of other toothed wheels
levers or chains with the floats or paddles.
Although my invention primarily relates to the utilization of tidal currents and I
have described it in connection therewith it will be evident that the main features
thereof are also applicable to currents constantly flowing in one direction.
Dated this 6th day of February 1891
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Utilizing Tidal or other
Currents as a Motive Power.
I BERNARD AMBROSE COLLINS of 38 formerly of 50 Glycena Road Lavender
Hill in the County of Surrey Meteorologist 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 improvements in means or apparatus for utilizing tidal
or other currents as a motive power and the objects of my invention are to obtain a
motor which will be propelled always in one direction irrespective of the direction
of the current and which will rise and fall with the tide and thus always maintain a
given position with relation to the surface of the water; to take the power off the
shaft or axis of the motor at a constant and fixed point and to direct the current in
such a manner that it will be concentrated upon the acting side of the motor.
lu carrying my invention into effect I preferably make use of a spare arch of a
bridge over a tidal stream and I employ a vertical shaft which at its lower end is
mounted with capability of revolution in a footstep or other fixed bearing formed
in a sill located upon or near the bed of the river or in other suitable position and
which shaft at its upper end is mounted in bearings located above high water
mark.
Upon this vertical shaft I mount a watertight drum or cylinder in such manner
that it is capable of independent vertical movement in relation to the shaft but in
its revolution is compelled to give motion thereto and the drum is thus adapted to
rise and fall with the tide whilst always preserving the above relations with the
shaft.

page_text: The drum is constructed of such dimensions as will be suitable to the depth
of water at low water in the river or tide way and of any suitable material and
it is weighted or ballasted so as to submerge it to within about one foot of its
upper end which position it will constantly maintain whilst rising and falling with
the tide.
In order to constitute this drum or cylinder a motor I employ a number of
borizontal projecting arms which are fixed to the top and bottom ends of the drum
and are arranged in pairs disposed radially around the same and upon the outer
ends of each pair of arms I hang or mount upon centres of motion a vertical door
paddle or float in such manner that when swung inwards by the current it will
automatically shut with its outer edge against the drum or cylinder and form an
abutment for the current to act against but when in the revolution of the drum it has
passed a given point it will in the further revolution of the drum freely swing open
and present its edge to the current until it again arrives in position to be acted
upon thereby.
Upon the upper end of the vertical shaft I fix a toothed wheel which through a
train of wheels or other suitable means is caused to transmit the power developed
by the motor to any desired point on shore where it may be caused to drive a
number of dynamo-electric machines and thus generate electricity upon an extensive
scale for the lighting of towns or cities or the power may be employed for other
purposes but it is especially applicable where economy is of importance.
By these means I obtain a motor which will act with equal efficiency upon the
ebb and flow of a tidal river or current and which will at all times preserve a given
position in relation to the surface of the water so as to utilize the full force of the
current without disturbing the vertical shaft in relation to its bearings and I am
thus enabled to take the power off the shaft at a constant and fixed point.
In order always to concentrate the current upon the acting side of the motor
notwithstanding the changes in the tide I employ two swing gates which are
mounted upon vertical hinges or centres of motion located at opposite sides and
ends of the arch of the bridge and I arrange in connection with these gates fixed
stops which limit the extent to which the gates are free to swing and cause them
to lie at a suitable angle to be automatically acted upon by the current upon the
turn of the tide and to concentrate the current in the manner desired.
One of these gates only is in action at a time, that is to say the gate at that end
of the arch into which the current for the time being flows swings inward against
its inner stop and lies at an angle from one side of the arch to about the centre
thereof thereby concentrating the current upon the acting side of the motor whilst
the opposite gate swings outward to the limit of its outer stop and lies at a suitable
angle to be automatically swung inward upon the turn of the tide.
In some cases I construct these gates hollow and mount them upon their axes
with capability of rising and falling with the tide and I ballast them in a similar
manner to the motor so that they may be caused to maintain a suitable position in
relation to the surface of the water.
Although my invention primarily relates to the utilization of of tidal currents
and I have described it in connection therewith it will be evident that the main
features thereof are also applicable to currents constantly flowing in one direction.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of an apparatus constructed according to
my invention and located within the arch of a bridge.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section thereof taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.

page_text: Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 3 but drawn to
a reduced scale and
Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 but showing the platform and parts
carried thereby in position.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a represents the spare arch of a bridge located
over a tidal stream represents a platform extending from side to side of the
arch a and d represents a vertical shaft which at its lower end is mounted with
capability of revolution in a footstep bearing d* fixed upon a sille located upon the
bed of the river or it might be arranged in any other suitable position and the
shaft d is at its upper end mounted in a bearing d** formed in the platform band
therefore located above high water mark.
Upon the vertical shaft d which is square in section with the exception of its
extreme ends, is mounted a watertight drum or cylinder d' which is at its centre
formed with a tube passing therethrough and to which it is securely bolted, and
to the tube and cylinder at this point but exteriorally of the drum are securely
bolted bosses d³ which are fitted to slide upon the vertical shaft and thus the
drum is rendered capable of independent vertical movement in relation to the
vertical shaft d but in its revolution is compelled to give motion thereto and
the drum d' is thus adapted to rise and fall with the tide whilst always preserving
the same relations with the vertical shaft d.
The drum d is constructed of such dimensions as will be suitable to the depth of
water at low water in the river or tide way in which it is to be placed, and it is
formed of any suitable material such for example as boiler plates rivetted together
and it is weighted or ballasted by means of water or other ballast introduced
therein or by other ballast arranged exteriorally thereof so as to submerge it to
within about one foot of its upper end, which position it will constantly maintain
whilst rising and falling with the tide.
In order to constitute this drum or cylinder a motor a number of horizontal
projecting arms are fixed to the top and bottom ends of the drum and are
arranged in pairs disposed radially around the saine, and upon the outer ends of
each pair of arms dis hung or mounted upon a rod or spindle d** constituting an
axis of motion thereto a vertical door paddle or float in such manner that when
swung inwards by the current it will automatically shut with its free edge against
the periphery of the drum or cylinder d and thus form an abutment for the current
to act against and will thus give motion through the drum d¹ to the shaft d but
when in the revolution of the drum d' the door paddle or float d' has passed a given
point the current will cease to act thereon and in the further revolution of the
drum d it will freely swing upon the centre of motion ** away from the periphery
of the drum and present its edge to the current until it again arrives in position to
be acted upon thereby, whilst chains d' at one end attached to the inner ends of the
arms and at the other end attached to the doors paddles or floats are employed
to limit the movement of such doors and prevent them accidentally being swung by
the influence of an eddy current or otherwise around their centres d** onto the
wrong side of the arms d'.
In order to brace the arms and enable them to resist the strain to which they
will be subjected, tie rods *** are employed which at their inner ends are fixed to
the upper and lower end flanges of the drum and at their outer ends are fixed
to the centres d** of the doors paddles or floats d³.
By these means I obtain a motor which will act with equal efficiency upon the
ebb and flow of a tidal river or current and which will at all times preserve a
given position in relation to the surface of the water so as to utilize the full force
of the current without disturbing the vertical shaft din relation to its bearings,
and I am thus enabled to take the power off the shaft at a constant and fixed
point.
In order to take the power off the shaft d upon the upper end thereof is fixed

page_text: a toothed wheel *** forming one of a train of wheels, or other suitable means
might be employed to transmit the power developed by the motor to a shaft d****
whence it may be conveyed by any suitable means to any desired point on shore or
elsewhere where it may be caused to drive a number of dynamo electric machines
and thus generate electricity on an extensive scale for the lighting of towns or
cities or the power may be employed for other purposes, but it is especially
applicable where economy is of importance.
In order always to concentrate the current upon the acting side of the motor
notwithstanding the changes in the tide two swing gates e are employed which are
mounted upon vertical centres of motion e* fixed to the walls or piers a of the
arch, and located at opposite sides and ends thereof, and in connection with these
gates fixed stops are employed consisting of brackets or frames built out from
the walls or piers and which serve to limit the extent to which the gates e are
free to swing in the direction of the motor and to cause them to lie at, or assume
a suitable angle to concentrate the current in the manner desired upon the doors,
paddles or floats whilst at the same time the stops prevent the doors e
swinging beyond a suitable angle to be automatically acted upon by the current
and swung in the opposite direction upon the turn of the tide.
In order to prevent the gates e swinging too far outwardly that is to say away
from the drum d' and in order to retain them when swung outward at a suitable
angle to be acted upon by the current of the next tide, check chains e¹ are
employed which are at one end attached to the gates e and at the other end to the
walls a.
One only of the gates e is in action at a time as will be seen on reference to
Figure 2, the arrows indicating the direction of the current, that is to say the
gate e at that end of the arch a into which the current for the time being flows
swings against its stop as shown at the upper part of Figure 2, and lies at an
angle from one side of the arch a to about the centre thereof thereby concen-
trating the current upon the doors paddles or floats at the acting side of the
motor whilst the opposite gate e swings outwards until arrested by the chain e¹ by
which it will be held at a suitable angle to be acted upon by the current and auto-
matically swung inwards upon the turn of the tide.
Owing to the peculiar arrangement of the gates e and to the difference in the
level caused by the water held back by and piling against the gate e for the time
being acting to direct the flow an eddy current will be created at the back of such
gate e and at the non acting side of the motor and will be caused to circulate
around the drum and will thus to some extent act upon the doors paddles or floats
which for the time being are upon the non acting side of the motor.
In the example given at Figures 3, 4, and 5 a larger number of arms are
employed than are shown with respect to Figures 1 and 2, and such arms are
extended across the drum or cylinder d' so as to be more securely fixed thereto and
consequently the braces ** are dispensed with, and in lieu of employing only one
door, paddle or float din connection with each arm & two of such doors paddles
or floats are in this case so employed and are so arranged that the free edge of
one door closes upon the periphery of the drum d' or upon a stop and the free
edge of the other door closes upon the hinged end of the first after the manner of
louvre boards.
In this example also the gates e are constructed hollow of any suitable material
such as boiler plate and are mounted upon rods or axes e* carried by the walls or
piers a of the bridge with capability of rising and falling with the tide and are
ballasted in a similar manner to the drum d' so that they will be caused to maintain
a suitable position in relation to the surface of the water and the chains el employed
to limit the outward movement of the gates e are in this case fixed to the opposite
wall a as such arrangement facilitates the rise and fall of the gates e and is better
in principle than that herein before shown and described with respect to Figures 1.
and 2.
Upon the platform b located above the motor is arranged a dynamo-electric

page_text: machine which is driven by means of a belt from a shaft **** which is in
turn driven through a train of wheels from the toothed wheel d*** fixed upon the
shaft d and the dynamo y is by conductors electrically connected with a large
number of accumulators constituting a means of storing electricity upon a large
scale and which may thence be conducted to any point where it is desired to be used
for lighting or other purposes as will be readily understood.
In lieu of placing the motor within the arch of a bridge it may be located in
any other situation where there is a strong current or race and in some cases, I
select a suitable position and there construct walls or piers of piles covered with
boarding or otherwise and arrange the motor between such walls.
Although my invention primarily relates to the utilization of tidal currents and
I have described it in connection therewith I would have it understood that the
main features thereof are also applicable to currents constantly flowing in one
direction, and I would further remark that although I have shown and described
the best details that I am at present acquainted with for carrying my invention into
effect I do not confine myself strictly thereto, as it will be evident that the same
may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my invention.
In my Provisional Specification I described an arrangement in which the doors
paddles or floats were mounted upon axes located upon the periphery of the
drum and in connection therewith I describe a positive means of opening and
closing such doors paddles or floats at given times, but since filing my said Pro-
visional Specification I have discovered that the loss of the power required to so
positively operate the said doors paddles or floats would be detrimental to the
success of the motor and I have therefore omitted to further describe such
arrangement and I do hereby disclaim the same.
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 :-
1. In means for utilizing tidal or other currents a motor, consisting of a
vertical shaft a ballasted drum or cylinder adapted to rise and fall upon the
shaft but fixed therewith as regards rotation, several pairs of arms or their
equivalent projecting from the drum or cylinder and several doors, paddles, or
Hoats mounted by their outer edges upon centres of motion carried by such arms
and adapted to open and close by the action of the current substantially as herein
shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. In means for utilizing tidal or other currents the combination of a vertical
shaft, a ballasted drum or cylinder adapted to rise and fall upon the shaft but
fixed therewith as regards rotation, several pairs of arms or their equivalent
projecting from the -drum or cylinder, several doors paddles or floats mounted
upon centres of motion carried by the arms and adapted to open and close by
the action of the current and a pair of ballasted hollow gates mounted upon
axes of motion carried by some fixed part and adapted to rise and fall and open
and close by the action of the current and stops for limiting the movements
of the gates substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
stated.
Dated this 7th day of December 1891
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.