NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE CURRENTS OF RIVERS AND OTHER FLOWING WATERS FOR PROPULSION OR MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1883

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel of N°: 28 Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the county of Middlesex, for an Invention of
NEW OR
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE CURRENTS OF RIVERS AND OTHER
FLOWING WATERS FOR PROPULSION OR MOTIVE POWER communicated to him
from abroad by Nicolai Yagn of St Petersburg, in the Russian Empire,
Engineer
دو
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March 1883.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the county of Middlesex "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE
CURRENTS OF RIVERS AND OTHER FLOWING WATERS FOR PROPULSION OR MOTIVE
"
POWER [A communication to him from abroad by Nicolai Yagn of St Petersburg,
in the Russian Empire, Engineer]
According to the present invention, an endless rope or band has attached to it,
at intervals of its length, collapsible buckets, by preference of parachute form,
that is to say, scoop shaped flexible discs, held in their expanded position by staying
cords attached to the endless rope.
This endless rope is placed in a river or other flowing water in the form of a
stretched loop lying in the direction of the current, or nearly so, each end of the
loop being made to pass round a pulley or drum carried either by a floating vessel
or by a stationary structure. As the parachute-buckets on one side of the loop of
the endless rope will lie in the opposite direction to those on the other side, it will
be evident that those on the one side only will be distended by the action of the
current, the others being collapsed, and thus a force, corresponding to the pressure
of the water on each parachute bucket will be exerted on one side of the loop,
tending to make the endless rope travel round the two end pulleys or drums, one
of which, in thus having rotary motion imparted to it, will serve to transmit such
rotary motion in any suitable manner to serve as motive power.
It will be evident that various arrangements of the endless rope with its
parachute buckets, drums and other, gear may be, adopted for carrying out the

page_text: above purpose. Thus, according to one arrangement, a barge, moored in the river,
has a well or opening in its bottom, above which is situated a framing carrying the
axes of two drums, situated a short distance from each other, and having each a
series of circular grooves formned thereon, round which a part of the before described
endless rope with its parachute buckets is. wound in such manner that the rope,
passing on to one groove of the one drum, is led in a helical direction to the next
groove of the other drum, and thence back to the first drum, and so on, passing off
again from the last groove of the second drum. By preference, two endless bucket
ropes are arranged side by side, in which case the said drums are each made
double, having at their middles, firstly toothed rings gearing with a toothed pinion
on an axis situated between them, and secondly, they have cylindrical surfaces
which bear against rollers on the said middle axis, which thus keep the drums the
proper distance apart and relieve the bearings of their axes from too great a side
strain. The said middle axis carries toothed gear or pulleys at its ends, through
which the rotary motion imparted to it can be transmitted to any desired point.
The endless ropes, on passing to and from the drums, are led over guide pulleys
carried by adjustable stay rods below the bottom of the lighter, and the part of the
rope passing up on to the drums is led between two rollers, which have for their
object to properly flatten down or collapse the parachute buckets before passing on
to the drum, and in order to prevent these buckets from becoming injured or
interfering with each other as they pass round the drums, a helical guard of sheet
metal is fitted is small circular grooves formed between the main grooves of the
drums, so as to effectually separate each part of the rope with its, buckets from the
contiguous parts as they travel round the drums.
The endless rope, passing from the well below the bottom of the lighter, extends
some distance in the water in the direction of the current, to a pulley carried in a
frame which is held suspended in the water by a float and is maintained in its
vertical position by a weight at bottom. To this frame is attached a card having
a number of parachute buckets, the action of the current on which tends to cause
the rope to draw the frame, and pulley down stream, and consequently a sufficient
pull is put upon the endless bucket-rope thereby to keep it stretched to the
required degree. To the end of the said cord is attached a flat board maintained
in a vertical position in the water by means of a float at its upper edge and a
weight at the lower edge, and this board is so adjusted that it assumes an oblique
position to the rope, thereby causing the current, in impinging upon it, to tend to.
move it sideways and thereby to hold the endless bucket-rope at a slight angle
to the direction of the current. By this means, the current will be made to act
more effectually upon each of the buckets than if they were all in line with with
the current.
Also, when two such bucket ropes are used side by side as described, the said
boards, in having opposite angular positions. given them, will keep the two ropes
separated from each other and thus prevent them from becoming entangled. Before
passing round the pulley of the floating frame, the rope passes between two guide
pulleys, which squeeze the buckets together as they pass through, and also keep the
rope in position on the pulley.
According to another arrangement, the power transmitted by the endless bucket-
rope is made to effect the towing of the vessels up stream by means of a chain laid
on the bed of the river.
For this purpose, a barge or boat carries a drum round which a coil of the said
chain is laid in the well known manner, and on the axis of the druin are two
pullies or wheels of large diameter, round which pass two of the before described
endless bucket ropes, which pass thence backwards to pullies on the vessel to be
towed, and which may, in addition, be connected to the barge or boat by a rope or
chain. The one part of the endless bucket-rope, which travels backwards from the
barge to the vessel, is immersed in the water and has its buckets distended and
acted upon by the current, so that the power thus transmitted causes the pulleys,
and with them the chain drum, to be rotated, thereby effecting the towing of the

page_text: vessel up stream. The returning part of the endless rope is, in this case situated
above the water. Instead of arranging the towing drum and bucket ropes on a
separate barge, they may be arranged on framing projecting beyond the vessel
itself, or two separate drums, one on each side of the vessel may be used, the end-
less bucket-ropes being made to extend along the sides of the vessel. When the
bucket ropes are led only with a single loop round a drum or wheel, they may be
provided with studs or knots at equal distances apart, which take into recesses in
the drum and thus prevent slipping.
It will be readily understood that the power produced by means of the above
described apparatus may be used for a great variety of purposes, such as for driving
dynamo electric machines for transmitting the power to a distance on land; also,
for dredging the bed of the water way, and the like.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th September 1883.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE
CURRENTS OF RIVERS AND OTHER FLOWING WATERS FOR PROPULSION OR MOTIVE
POWER A communication to me from Abroad by Nicolai Yagn of St Petersburg,
in the Russian Empire, Engineer
"
According to the present invention, an endless rope or band has attached to it
at intervals of its length collapsible buckets, by preference of parachute form, that
is to say, scoop-shaped flexible discs held in their expanded position by staying cords
attached to the endless rope. This endless rope is placed in a river or other flowing
water in the form of a stretched loop, lying in the direction of the current, or
nearly so, each end of the loop being made to pass round a pulley or drum carried
either by a floating vessel or by a stationary structure. As the parachute buckets
on one side of the loop of the endless rope will lie in the opposite direction to
those on the other side it will be evident that those on the one side only will be
distended by the action of the current, the others being collapsed, and thus a force
corresponding to the pressure of the water on each parachute bucket will be
exerted on one side of the loop, tending to make the endless rope travel round the
two end pullies or drums, one or both of which, in thus having rotary motion
imparted to it or them, will serve to transmit such rotary motion in any suitable
manner to serve as motive power.
say,
that on
It will be evident that the returning part of the rope, that is to
which the parachute buckets are collapsed, may be situated either in the water or
above it; also, that two or more such endless bucket ropes may be employed in
combination acting on one and the same mechanism for the transmission of power,
and that intermediate drums between the two end ones may be employed for
supporting or deriving motion from the rope.
Various arrangements, and modes of applying the said endless bucket ropes may
be adopted, the arrangement shewn by way of example at Figs. 1 to 5 of the
accompanying drawings being that which is employed by preference. Fig 1 shews
a side view of the complete apparatus, Fig. 2 is a plan, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of
the floating pulley or drum round which the rope passes, Fig. 4 shews an enlarged
view of the mechanism by means of which the power of the rope is transmitted,
and Fig. 5 shews a plan of the same.
Similar parts are designated by similar letters of reference in all the Figures.
T is a floating vessel moored by a rope or chain t, and having an open well on the
top of which is fixed the mechanism for transmitting the power. This consists of
two drums A A' arranged horizontally and parallel to each other. If, as in the
present case, two endless bucket ropes are used in combination, grooves y Y Y
(Fig. 5) are provided at each end of the drums A A' for the reception of the
bucket ropes P P.
On drum A¹ these grooves are situated about half the width
of a groove farther from the toothed wheel B than on drum A, so that the ropes
pass in a helical direction in being wound from one drum on to the other.
order to prevent the flexible parachute buckets from being caught by the rope in
one groove as they pass along the next one, small grooves may be formed in the
flanges separating the main grooves into which are fitted sheet metal shields G
Fig. 4 forming division walls separating the grooves from each other, and enabling
the rope p with its parachute buckets e to pass readily round the grooves.
In

page_text: Between the drums A A! are toothed wheels B B' which gear with a pinion C,
the shaft D of which, as also those of the drums, run in bearings on the framing.
On each side of the pinion C are rollers E E' against which bear surfaces F of the
drums, so that the strain tending to draw these together is not transmitted to the
bearings of the shafts but is borne by the rollers E E¹, and the drums are thus
always kept the same distance apart. The motion of the shaft D is transmitted by
bevil gear H, I, to wherever required. The bucket ropes p are guided to and
from the drums A A¹ by means of adjustable guide pullies L L' which in their
normal position are situated somewhat below the bottom of the vessel, but which
can be drawn up into the vessel by means of the screwed rod M carrying the same.
This rod is supported against the lateral draught of the bucket ropes by means of
stays N.
As will be seen from Figs 4 and 5, the returning parts of the bucket
ropes with their collapsed buckets e pass round the lower sides of the pullies L
and rising up, pass between a pair of small rollers K which squeeze the
parachutes flat as they pass through, from which rollers the ropes pass into the
nearest grooves y of the drum A. From this drum, the ropes pass in a helical
direction on to the drum. A¹ and return from the underside of the latter .to the
drum A, and so on, passing round and round the two drums and imparting motion
thereto, and eventually leaving the end grooves of the drum A¹ and passing down to
the guide rollers L' and thence away along the loop to the pulley at the other end,
the parachute buckets, being distended by the current as soon as they leave the
rollers L'. The drums A A¹ and gear connected therewith may be arranged to
turn up into a vertical position, as indicated in dotted lines at Fig. 4, in order to
be more accessible for inspection or repairs. If necessary, the apparatus can be
provided with brake gear or a disengaging clutch for stopping the motion when
required.
Figs. 1 and 2 shew how the endless bucket ropes pass from the above described
apparatus with their parachute buckets distended by the current, to the floating
pulley O, and thence back again, with the buckets collapsed, to the drums A A¹.
The buckets e are preferably made of canvas, with their edges stayed to the
central rope p by means of cords e", so that the buckets cannot be inverted by the
pressure of the current. The pulley O round which the rope passes, is carried in a
frame P, as shewn more clearly at Fig. 3, which frame is supported in an upright
position in the water by means of a float U attached to its upper end, and a
weight Qattached to its lower end; the distance between the float U and the.
frame P being adjusted according to the depth at which it is desired that the
rope p should be situated in the water. The rope p, before passing round the
pulley O, passes between two upright rollers R, which squeeze the parachute
buckets together as they pass through, and also prevent the rope from slipping off
the pulley, particularly when it is being moved from place to place. To the front
end of the frame P is attached a rope p' provided with a greater or less number of
parachute buckets e' with staying cords ell, the pressure of the current upon which
causes the cord to pull the frame in the direction of the current; and thus causes
this to keep the endless bucket rope p always stretched, the length of the rope pl
and number of buckets thereon being proportioned to the strength of the current
and the length of the rope p.. To the end of the rope p' is attached a steering
board S in such a manner that it assumes an oblique position relatively to the cord,
as shewn at Fig. 2. The board is maintained in a vertical position by loading it
with a weight w at the lower edge and fixing some buoyant material v at its upper
edge; or this may be supported by a separate float.
The action of the current against the oblique surface of the board will cause this
to move somewhat laterally until it has drawn the rope p into a position in which
it forms a slight angle with the direction of the current, as shewn at Fig. 1. By
this means the several expanded parachute buckets will be more effectually acted
upon by the force of the current than if they were exactly in line therewith. If;
as in the present case, there are two endless bucket ropes, their board S are
.

page_text: arranged at opposite angles, as shewn, so that the two ropes are kept at opposite
angles from each other, and cannot become entangled.
As the stream acts continuously upon the expanded buckets presented to it on
one side of the rope, while the buckets on the other side, being collapsed, offer
comparatively little resistance to the current, it will be evident that the endless
rope will be caused to travel continuously round the drums A A¹ and pulley O,
giving out a force corresponding to the sum of the pressures exerted by the
current upon the several expanded buckets'; so that the motive power developed by
the apparatus will be proportional to the strength of the current and the number of
the buckets on the endless rope. The motive power thus obtained may be utilised
in a great variety of ways, such as for driving dynamo-electric machines for
transmitting the power to a distance on land; also for dredging the bed of the
water way, and the like.
As before stated, the power might be taken off at both ends of the loop, for
which purpose the floating pulley O would be replaced by apparatus for trans-
mitting the power, such as that shewn at Figs 4 and 5. Also, instead of supporting
such apparatus on a floating vessel, it may be situated on a fixed structure,
although the former arrangement is preferred, as in this case should a boat or ship
touch the rope in passing over it, the rope could readily yield sufficiently to prevent
damage being done, and also, it enables the entire apparatus to be shifted readily
from one point of the waterway to another, should circumstances require it.
According to another mode of employing the hydromotor, it is caused to propel
vessels up stream by the combined use therewith of a moored chain laid on the
bed of the river. Figs 6 and 7 of the drawings shew respectively an elevation and
a plan of apparatus for this purpose.
Y is a small vessel on which is a drum A"
having three grooves of which the two outer ones X X are of equal diameter and
larger than the middle one x¹. The grooves x x have fork like projections against
which bear the knots ¹¹ or other projections formed at equal distances apart upon
the endless bucket ropes p.p. The middle groove x¹ has teeth which gear with the
chain S¹ that rises from the bed of the river and passes round the groove and
thence down to the rivers bed again, in a well known manner. The axis of the
drum A is carried in bearings on a framing u₁ carried by the vessel. The
compartment a' b' c' d' in which the drum A" is situated is separated by water-
tight partitions from the other part of the vessel and is open at bottom for the
chain S¹ to pass in and out, and to allow the drum A¹¹ to project down below the
bottom of the vessel as shewn. Round the grooves xx pass the endless bucket
ropes pp, the other loops of which pass.round pullies R³ R¹ carried by the bows
of the vessel Z to be towed up stream.
The action of the apparatus is as follows. The parachute buckets e of the parts
of the endless ropes that are immersed in the water are expanded by the current,
the force of which consequently imparts motion to the ropes, causing these to travel
round the drum A and pullies R and consequently to impart rotary motion to the
former in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 6. At the same time the current, pressing
against the vessel Z, tends to force this, and with it the vessel Y and drum A¹ down
stream, and it will be seen that by duly proportioning the diameter of A" and
number of buckets to the force of the stream, the action of the latter combined with.
that of the chain S¹, tending to make the drum A revolve in the contrary
direction to the arrow, will be overcome to a greater or less extent by the force of
the current exercised on the bucket ropes, whereby these will be enabled to turn A"
in the direction of the arrow and consequently to cause it to wind up the chain S
in front and thus draw the vessels Y and Z up stream. The vessel Y is shewn
connected to Z by a towing rope u", but this may be dispensed with, the towing
being effected by the bucket ropes p themselves. The chain S¹ can either be laid
along the whole length of the waterway or it may be only of a certain length and
anchored temporarily in front. According to another modification the vessel Y can
be dispensed with and the drum A" be carried by a framing projecting from the

page_text: bows of the vessel Z itself, or there may be provided two such drums A", one for
each bucket rope, on. each side of the vessel, and the bucket ropes may in that
case be led along the sides of the vessel to pullies situated at or near the stern
thereof.
Having thus described the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I
claini in respect of apparatus for utilizing the currents of rivers and other flowing
waters for propulsion or motive power:-
First. The combination of an endless flexible rope or band having secured thereto
collapsible buckets or parachutes with two independent pullies or drums connected
only by the endless rope, situated at a distance from each other and round which
the endless rope is led, the buckets or parachutes being so arranged that while those
on one part of the rope are being expanded by the current of the water in which
the rope is wholly or partly immersed, and serve to propel the rope round the
pullies, the buckets on the other part of the rope, being presented in the contrary
direction, are collapsed and inoperative, substantially as herein described.
Second. In apparatus constructed and operating as set forth in the preceding
claim, constructing the buckets of flexible material, through the centre of which
the rope passes and from which they are stayed at the edges by flexible cords, so as
to be expanded by the current when travelling in one direction with the rope, and
to be collapsed when passing round the pullies and in travelling with the rope in
the contrary direction, substantially as herein described.
Third. The combination of the endless bucket-rope referred to in the preceeding
claims with a stationary pulley or drum, either fixed or floating, round which the
one loop of the endless rope passes, and with a floating moveable pulley round which
the other loop of the rope passes and so arranged that the pulley, together with the
endless rope, can shift their position according to the direction of the current,
substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The combination of the endless bucket rope with a pulley carried by a
frame suspended in position in the water by means of a float and weight, and
provided with a vertical tail board forming an adjustable angle with the direction
of the bucket rope, so as to cause the latter to be held at an angle to the direction
of the current, substantially as herein described.
Fifth. In combination with the apparatus referred to in the preceding claim, the
use of one or more stationary fixed or floating pullies or drums round which the
bucket rope is led so as to impart motion thereto, the power thus obtained being
transmitted by suitable gearing to any desired point, substantially as herein
described.
Sixth. The construction of frictional apparatus for receiving motion from the
endless bucket rope and for transmitting the same, substantially as herein described
with reference to Figs 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. The combination with an endless bucket-rope constructed and operating
as set forth in the preceding claims, with a floating vessel having a drum round
which a chain laid on the bed of the water way, and so arranged that the motion
imparted to the bucket rope causes the vessel to be towed up stream, substantially
as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Denton Abel have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-three.