Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
I, JOHANN FERDINAND ROBERT KNOBLOCH, of Hamburg-Eimsbuttel, in the
Empire of Germany, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to tidal motors for utilizing the incoming and outgoing
tide.
The flood tide water passes over an overfall or sluice gate that rises with the
tide and enters a wheel race or pit and in so doing drives a water power machine,
for instance a vertical water wheel or turbine the water subsequently flows off
into a reservoir and is retained therein by means of a rear sluice gate which is
drawn up at the turn of the tide and then gradually lowered so that, when the ebb
tide sets in, the water flows back through the wheel race or pit into the sea over
the overfall, during which movement it again drives the water wheel or turbine.
During the flood tide the water acts upon the water wheel or turbine by its vis viva
that is to say by impact and pressure when falling over the sluice gate, while in the
return movement it acts principally by pressure.
The hydraulic device comprises chiefly a wheel race or pit a water wheel or
turbine, which is carried upon a float, and two overfalls or sluice gates which can
be employed to entirely or partially separate the wheel race from the sea and from
the reservoir aforesaid.
Let us suppose the flood tide has commenced and that the sluice gate is raised
which separates the sea from the wheel race, the other or rear sluice gate between
the wheel race and the reservoir being lowered.
The flood tide falls over the front sluice gate upon the water wheel or turbine
and thus causes the latter to turn and then flows into the reservoir. Simultaneously
the water rises in the wheel race or pit and gradually lifts the float and with it the
water wheel or turbine. In order that the quantity of water falling over the front
sluice gate shall remain constant, the said sluice gate is likewise gradually lifted,
which can be effected by means of the aforesaid float, which engages with the
underside of a projection or catch on the sluice gate.
When the tide and the floating sluice gate have reached their highest point, the
overfall water continues to turn the water wheel as long as the necessary power is
available. The water wheel rises with the float until an equal level is obtained in
front and behind the front sluice gate that is to say until the turn of the tide
takes place. In order that the float can rise, the aforesaid catch or projection on
the sluice gate held in its highest position is screwed upward as will be explained
hereinafter.
Before the ebb tide commences the rear sluice gate between the reservoir and
the wheel race is raised and the front sluice gate is lowered, during which
manipulation the aforesaid projection or catch on the latter is moved aside out of
When the ebb tide
the way of the float in the manner hereinafter described.
commences the float and the water wheel or turbine fall to such an extent, and, by
means of an appropriate catch take down with them the rear sluice gate to such a
degree, that the stemmned up water flows back from the reservoir over the rear
sluice gate and thus causes the water wheel to turn in the opposite direction to
that when the flood tide water is driving the wheel.
Both water levels gradually sink as the tide ebbs and the rear sluice gate is

page_text: lowered in proportion, until a time is reached when the height of water existing
between the ebb tide water and the reservoir water is not sufficient for causing the
water wheel or turbine to perform further useful work. The rear sluice gate is
then entirely lowered and thus is obtained a uniformly low level between the sea
water and the water in the wheel race and of the water in the reservoir.
Before the flood tide recommences the front sluice gate is returned to its raised
position and the same working operation may thus be continuously repeated. In
order to convert the power, obtained in this manner at irregular times, into an
entirely regular power capable of being utilized at any desired time, many
arrangements are applicable but such arrangements do not form any essential part
of this invention and therefore need not be particularly described.
In a special constructional form of this invention the wheel race forms a water
channel limited laterally by side walls; this water channel has a central recess for
receiving the float aforesaid. The latter consists of a large box with two upwardly
directed arms or standards, provided with guide pulleys, which latter during the
rising and falling movements of the float slide along appropriate guide rails.
The said float serves as a support for a vertical water wheel, which latter
consists of a large sheet metal cylinder with closed ends and provided with
suitably arranged paddles or vanes. An axle passes centrally through the cylinder
forming the water wheel, the outwardly projecting extremities of which axle are
carried in bearings secured to the arms or standards attached to the float.
The exterior periphery of one of the ends of the wheel drum or cylinder is
provided with bevel teeth which engage with the teeth of a bevel wheel carried
by a vertical shaft. The latter is carried in a footstep bearing, and is supported
about midway of its length by a collar or guide which is supported by a fork or
frame. The upper part of the shaft is angular and rests displaceably but not
laterally movable in the eye of a universal joint, which eye engages by means of
two trunnions with eyes provided in a ring supported by means of trunnions in
bearings carried on a bevel wheel. The said bevel wheel is rotatably arranged
upon a hollow box and gears with another bevel wheel secured to the driving
shaft, on which latter shaft a belt pulley is keyed by means of which the movement
of the water wheel is transmitted to any suitable machinery by appropriate
transmission gearing and by the aid of a suitable reversing mechanism, the power
being preferably always transmitted in the same direction. The aforesaid pulley
shaft is carried by bearings secured to a suitable support or platform, and the
sleeve or boss upon which one of the bevel wheels rotates is made in one piece
with a cross head on the platform. The vertical angular shaft aforesaid passes
loosely through the said sleeve or boss and can thus yield to small oscillations of
the float.
Each of the two sluice gates is made in the form of a hollow box of sheet metal
plates, of which the side plates that support the water-pressure are stiffened by
transverse stays or ribs. The sluice gate plate which lies toward the inflowing
water is bulged outward, in order to be sufficiently strong to resist the great
pressure. At both extremities of each sluice gate, guide rails are provided, each
of which is held in position between two guides secured to the side walls of the
wheel race. The dimensions and weights of the sluice gates are so chosen that
the sluice gates are chiefly held in their various positions, by the buoyancy of the
water. Locking devices may be arranged, in addition, for the purpose of
completely securing the sluice gates in their positions.
The float and water wheel are lifted by the buoyancy of the water, and may, if
necessary, be provided with counterpoise weights.
At a suitable distance apart from the covering plate of each sluice gate a cross
beam is supported by columns which rest upon the covering plate and which are
connected with each other by diagonal stays so as to form a supporting frame.
From each cross beam a hand driven screw spindle can be actuated, with the
screw thread of which spindles the before mentioned sluice gate catches engage.
These catches or projections project from suitably shaped recesses or hollows in

page_text: the interior longitudinal walls of the sluice gates, and can be so adjusted in height
as required by means of the screw spindles, aforesaid. In order that the catches
or projections may be brought out of the way of the float when desired, a recess is
provided in each sluice gate wall, the said recess being laterally widened at a
suitable place, to receive the catch.
The cross beams of the supporting frame which are preferably provided with
wire guards or fences are accessible by means of steps.
With the before described arrangement the wheel may work as an undershot
wheel or as a breast wheel, the water being delivered thereto at different heights
according to the heights of the tides. In this constructional form the water
wheel is supposed to be a breast wheel with a medium height of the tide of
from 3 to 4 metres. When the wheel is undershot it will be advantageous to
arrange on the top of each sluice gate a plate which can be pushed forward
against the wheel and pulled back away from the same, which plate in its forward
position serves to guide the water on to the vanes of the wheel and in its retracted
position will not hinder the up and down movements of the sluice gates and of the
water wheel.
Dated this 5th day of Santamber 1895
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Tidal Motors.
I, JOHANN FERDINAND ROBERT KNOBLOCH, of Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, in the
Empire of Germany, 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 aud by the following statement :-
My invention has relation to apparatus for utilizing the flow and ebb of the tide
as a source of power for any desired purpose, and it has for its object the provision
of means for controlling, regulating and utilizing such flow and ebb so that a
practically constant power may be derived therefrom.
In my improved apparatus the flood tide water is caused to flow over an overfall
or sluice gate into a race in which is arranged a water-driven wheel, as for instance
a turbine, or a wheel revoluble on horizontal axes, the water flowing from the race
into a reservoir wherein it is stored and utilized during the ebb tide, a suitable
gate being provided for such reservoir. The water driven wheel is carried by a
Hoat that rises and falls with the flood and ebb, means being provided whereby the
rising and falling movements of the float are made to control the like movements
of the gates.
To enable my invention to be fully understood, and in order to enable others
skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, I will describe the
construction and operation of my improved apparatus by means of which my said
invention is carried into practical effect, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, in which
to 7 are diagrammatic views illustrative of the operations of the
Figures
apparatus;
Figure 8 is a plan view, partly in section and partly broken away, of my improved
tidal motor;
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section,
Figure 10 is an end view,
Figure 11 is a vertical cross section of said motor taken on line 1, 1, of Figure 9
and
Figure 12 is a detail top plan view of the power transmitting gear.

page_text: Referring now to Figures to 7, K indicates a channel or race in which is formed
a wheel pit K' of greater depth and width than said race, said pit containing a
float S¹ that carries the bearings for a water wheel M, the race K leading from
the sea at S into a reservoir H, a gate being provided on the sea and reservoir
side of the wheel pit, as indicated by the letters U₁ and U2, sail gates being herein-
after referred to as the flood tide and ebb tile gates respectively.
Supposing the flood tide has set in and the flood tide gate U¹ raised to provide
a sufficient fall of water to drive the wheel M and the ebb tide gate U lowered, as
shown in Figure 1, the rising water will flow over gate U and revolve the wheel M,
the tailings flowing into reservoir H. Simultaneously therewith the water in the
wheel pit K will also rise, and gradually lift the float S', and as the flood tide
gate U is provided with a lug or projection in the path of said float, said gate
will also be lifted in proportion to the rise of the tide, Figure 2, until the tide has
reached its greatest height, Figure 3, the water flowing over gate U₁ continuing
to rotate the wheel M until the water on the sea side of the race Kand the water
in the latter and in the reservoir H have attained the same level, Figure 4.
Before the tide commences to flow out the ebb tide gate U2 is raised and the flood
tide gate U is lowered, Figure 5; as the tile flows out the water in reservoir H
flowing over the ebb tide gate U will turn the wheel M in an opposite direction,
and as the tide recedes or Hows out, the level of the water in the race K is also
gradually lowered, the float S sinking accordingly, and as the ebb tide gate is
also provided with a lug or projection in the path of the float, said gate will be
lowered by the Hoat in proportion to the lowering of the water level in the
race K, this operation continuing until the difference between the water level in
the race and that in the reservoir H is insufficient to cause the wheel M to perform
further useful work, when the ebb tide gate U2 is fully lowered, a uniform low
level then existing in the reservoir, the race and the sea, Figure 7. Before the
flood tide again sets in the flood tide gate U¹ is again sufficiently raised to bank
up the incoming water, and thus obtain, upon a further rise of the tide, the
necessary fall to rotate the wheel M, the described operations being repeated.
Having described the general operation of the apparatus, I will now describe the
construction thereof, reference being had to Figures 8 to 12, in which K indicates
the race. K the wheel-pit, which is of a substantially double T-shape and intersects
the race K, the parallel recesses K2 being bounded by the inner lateral walls a
of the race and by the outer walls 62. The float is U-shaped, the vertical members S
extending from the body S are of greater width than said body and are contained
within the recesses K2 of the wheel pit, said vertical members S² carrying anti-
friction rollers b, on three sides, which rollers travel along and are guided by
suitable rails & secured to the inner faces of the walls 2 as shown in Figure 8,
whereby the said float is not only properly guided when rising or falling with the
tide, but the oscillatory or rocking movements to which such float would otherwise
be subjected under the action of the inflowing or outflowing water are reduced to a
minimum, if not avoided altogether.
To the vertical members S2 of the float S are secured suitable bearings y for
the shaft or journals of a water wheel M. This wheel consists of a fluid tight
sheet metal cylinder or drum e whose heads dare provided with bearings, preferably
cone bearings, Figures 8 and 9 for the taper journals/ for sand wheel, said cylinder
being provided with peripheral vanes or paddles e.
One of the heads d of the wheel M is provided on its outer face with circularly
arranged bevel teeth forming a toothed ring d that meshes with a bevel pinion h
on a vertical shaft, Figures 9 and 10. The shaft is stepped in a step formed
in one of the bearings for the wheel journals, Figure 9, and is guided and
steadied in a bearing gl at the upper end of a standard 2 secured to one of the
vertical members S2 of the float S. That portion h³ of shaft ' above bearing g
is squared and extends through a boss or bushing
that is secured to a platform n, Figures 8 and 10.
considerably greater diameter than the diameter
provided with a cross head
The bore of the bushing is of
of the squared portion of

page_text: shaft h', so as to admit of vibration or rocking of said shafts with the float S¹ S³,
the upper end of the squared portion of such shaft passing through the corre-
spondingly shaped bore of a sleeve i, so that said shaft is free to move endwise in
said sleeve but is held against rotation therein. The sleeve i has journals ¹
extending into bearings formed on a gimbal 2 whose journals are arranged
in bearings on a mitre wheel seated and revoluble on the bushing hereinbefore
referred to.
By the means described and shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12, a universal or
gimbal joint is provided between the shaft and the mitre wheel k, whereby said
shaft is free to oscillate or rock, and also to move vertically with the float S¹ S²
without disturbing the said mitre wheel k, while the latter is caused to revolve
with said shaft, its rotation being transmitted to a power shaft m' through a
mitre gear m therein meshing with said mitre wheel k. The rotation of the power
shaft m which revolves in bearings n' on the platform n, may be transmitted to any
element, to be driven in any suitable or desired manner, as through a pulley m²,
Figure 9, connected by a belt to the element to be driven.
The flood and ebb tide gates U U2 are of substantially the same construction,
namely, they are hollow bodies, preferably of sheet metal, having the walls
exposed to the pressure of the water, ie, the walls ox facing the sea S and
reservoir H respectively of convex form and suitably stayed or braced to the inner
wall o by diagonal braces o¹, said outer wall o* of each gate being provided with
guide flanges or ribs o guided between two vertical rails a¹ a', secured to the
fateral walls a of the race K, see Figure 8. The dimensions and weight of the
gates U U2 are so chosen as to be held in their various positions by the buoyancy
of the water, i.e., they are floats, practically speaking, but if desired, a suitable
locking device whereby said gates may be positively locked against up or down
movements along their ways, may be provided.
Of course the float S₁ S2, the wheel M and the transmitting shaft carried
thereby rise and fall with the tide, as explained, and if necessary, counterpoises
may be provided for these parts.
At a convenient distance above each of the gates U₁ U2 is arranged a gang
plank or platform p supported from the top plates o³ of the said gates by columns pl
suitably braced together by diagonal braces p², said gang planks having preferably
hand rails or guards pt for obvious purposes, steps or ladders p³ being provided
for reaching the gang planks from the gates.
It has heretofore been stated that the gates U₁ U2 are respectively lifted and
lowered by the float S' S through the medium of lugs u² on said gates.
Under certain conditions it becomes necessary, however to lift or lower either
or both gates independently of the float, and to this end it is necessary that
means be provided for moving the said lugs out of the way of the float and for
manipulating the lugs and gates. To this end there is a vertical recess of provided
in the inner face of cach gate of proper height and of a width slightly greater
than the length of the lugs u u², as shown at o, Figure 9, said lugs having a
screw-threaded opening in which works the lower screw-threaded end of a rod r
adapted to be manipulated by a hand wheel thereon from the gaug planks p,
Figures 9 and 11, said screw-threaded end of the rod working in a nut or block
on the gate.
It is obvious that by revolving the rod in one or the other direction
the lug u or u² as the case may be, will first turn with the said rod until it lies
within the recess of in the gate out of the way of the float, and by further
turning said rod, the lug being now held against rotation by its bearing on the
inner wall of the recess o, said lug can be adjusted up or down along the rod, as
may be necessary; on the other hand, since the gates are both buoyant they
can readily be lifted or lowered by means of the hand wheel on the rod, the lifting
being the more readily effected owing to the buoyancy of the gates, for the purpose
of providing a proper fall of water over said gates to drive the wheel M. By
making the lugs u u² adjustable on their rods r, said lugs can also be positioned
relatively to the float S' S³ so that the latter will contact therewith at the

page_text: proper time to move the flood tide gate upward and the ebb tide gate downward
after these gates have been positioned on the flood and ebb of the tide to provide
the proper fall of water.
Furthermore, by the described arrangement and adjustability of the lugs u¹ u,
the wheel M may operate as an overshot, middleshot or undershot wheel, the
water being delivered thereto at different heights according to the height of the
tide. In the arrangement shown the water wheel M is supposed to operate as a
middle shot wheel, with a medium height of tide, from three to four metres.
Inasmuch as the wheel M revolves in opposite directions during the flood and
ebb of the tide respectively, suitable reversing gear will in practice be provided,
for the purpose of revolving the driven element continuously in the same direction,
as will be readily understood.
By constructing the flood and ebb tide gates U U2, as well as the water wheel M
in the form of hollow bodies, the weight of these parts is reduced to a minimum,
thereby enabling the float to more readily rise and fall with the said parts under
the influence of the rising and falling tide.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a tidal motor, the combination with a buoyant flood tide or inlet gate
and a like outlet gate, of a float interposed between and adapted to move said
gates, and a wheel carried by the float, for the purpose set forth.
2. In a tidal motor, the combination with a buoyant flood tide or inlet gate
and a like ebb tide or outlet gate, of a float interposed between and adapted
to move said gates, and a buoyant wheel carried by said float, for the purpose set
forth.
3. In a tidal motor, the combination with a flood tide or inlet gate, an ebb
tide or outlet gate, each provided with a lug projecting from the inner faces of
said gates; of a float interposed between and adapted to impinge upon said lugs
and move said gates, a wheel carried by the float, mechanism for lifting or lowering
the gates independently of the float, and means for moving the aforesaid lugs out
of the path of said float, for the purpose set forth.
4. In a tidal motor, the combination with a flood tide or inlet gate, an ebb tide
or outlet gate, and an abutment projecting from the proximate faces of said gates,
said abutment adjustable vertically along said faces; of a float interposed between
and adapted to impinge on the aforesaid abutments and move the gates, a wheel
carried by the float, means for lifting and lowering the gates independently of the
float, and means for moving the abutments out of the way of said float, for the
purpose set forth.
5. In a tidal motor, the combination with flood tide or inlet and ebb tide or
outlet gates, a float interposed between such gates, a wheel carried by the float
and provided with a toothed rim, and a vertical shaft carrying a pinion in gear
with said toothed rim, said shaft rising and falling with the float; of a transmitting
gear and a universal joint between said gear and the aforesaid vertical shaft in
which joint such shaft is free to move vertically but locked against rotation therein,
for the purpose set forth.
6. Iu a tidal motor, the combination with the race K and reservoir H, the wheel
pit K' K³ intersecting said race and the flood tide or inlet and ebb tide or outlet
gates arranged at opposite ends of said wheel pit; of a float U-shaped in transverse
section, bearings on the vertical members of said float, a wheel revoluble in said
bearings, and means whereby said gates are moved by the rising and falling motion
of the float, for the purpose set forth.
7. In a tidal motor, the combination with the race K, the reservoir H and the
wheel pit K¹ K2 intersecting said race, the flood tide or inlet and the ebb tide or
outlet gates U1 U2 arranged at opposite ends of the wheel pit, said gates con-
structed in the form of hollow buoyant bodies having outer convex faces, and

page_text: suitable guides for guiding said gates in their rising and falling movements; of a
float interposed between and adapted to move the gates, and a wheel carried by
said float, for the purpose set forth.
8. In a tidal motor, the combination with the race K, the wheel pit K¹ K²,
suitable vertical guide rails b' on three of the walls of the portion K2 of said pit,
and a flood tide or inlet and an ebb tide or outlet gate at opposite ends of such
wheel pit of a U-shaped float interposed between and adapted to move said
gates, the vertical members of said float carrying an anti-friction roller on three
of their sides, said rollers & riding on the aforesaid guide rails 1, tearing on said
vertical members of the float, and a wheel revoluble in said bearings, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a tidal motor, the combination with a flood tide or inlet gate U¹ provided
with a lugu, and the ebb tide or outlet gate U2 provided with a lug 2; of a float
interposed between said gates, and a wheel carried by the float, the latter adapted
to impinge upon the under face of lug u' and upon the upper face of lug 2,
whereby said gates are moved in opposite directions by the float in rising and
falling, respectively, for the purpose set forth.
10. In a tidal motor, the combination with a flood tide or inlet gate and an ebb
tide or outlet gate; of a float interposed between said gates, a wheel carried by
the float, and means whereby the aforesaid gates are moved in opposite directions
by the float when it rises and falls with the tide, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of June 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.