IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER MILLS FOR USE IN RUNNING STREAMS
Year: 1878

page_text: tion of t
LETTERS PATENT to John William Gray, of 16, Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Inven-
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER MILLS FOR USE IN RUNNING STREAMS."
A communication from abroad by Sylvester N. Stewart, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.
Sealed the 9th May 1879, and dated the 15th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Gray at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th November 1878.
JOHN WILLIAM GRAY, of 16, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent. " IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER MILLS FOR
USE IN RUNNING STREAMS." [A communication from abroad by Sylvester N.
Stewart, of Paris, in the Republic of France.]
This Invention relates to improvements in water mills for use in running
streams.
According to this Invention I take a sluice or box of a width according to the
size of floats required, with sides vertical and parallel, or nearly so, and of a height
by preference of little more than half the diameter of the float wheels to be used,
and hereinafter described. In the front of this sluice, i.e., the side at which the
running water enters, I place horizontally a tripple crank shaft, the cranks dividing
the circle equally, and being equidistant from one another and from the centre of
the crank shaft. On each of these cranks is attached loosely a float kept con-
tinually in a vertical position, or nearly so, by a wooden rod projecting centrally
from its back, which floats at its rear or farther end on the surface of the water
until acted upon as hereinafter described. In the rear of the said sluice and of
the full width thereof is a three float wheel, the diameter whereof on the line the
floats are pinioned is equal to the throw of said cranks. These floats are pinioned
loosely, and are weighted so as to maintain a vertical position whilst passing
through the air.
As the lower edge of the front float nears the water line it enters
Paice d
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page_text: loosely a notch on the rear end of that one of the said wooden rods projecting from
the back of that one of the said crank floats most in front, and just entering the
water. The two floats entering the water thus become attached, and as they are
forced forward by the current are maintained in a vertical position, or nearly so,
during their passage through the water, and so receive its full force on their whole
area. As the stroke of the front or crank float is just on the point of completion
and the two floats are leaving the water the said wooden rod comes in contact
with a roller at the back of the sluice, and is thereby freed from the back float,
which continues its course upwards to come round again to the front, whilst by the
continued revolution of the front three cranked shaft the said wooden rod is drawn
back to its original position to become again attached to the rear large float as it
again dips into the water. As the first of the front crank floats is leaving the
water the second is entering, and this becomes attached to the second rear float in
a manner similar to that already described, and so also with the third front or
crank and the third rear floats. Thus the process is continued and repeated, giving
a continuous rotary motion to the axle of the rear three float wheel. To start the
apparatus it is only necessary to so connect the front crank float and the front large
float when the action described proceeds. To stop the mill the three said wooden
rods are held down out of contact with the rear. float wheel and a brake applied
to the latter. As an additional help to the action of the mechanism the front
crank shaft is provided with a grooved wheel, and this is geared with the rear
wheel by chain, strap, or other suitable means. Although the rear floats are
weighted to keep them vertical during their passage through the air they are
additionally guided vertically into the water, and the said notches by a guide plate
suitably placed just in front, which may be provided with a roller to decrease
friction; or the roller may be on the face of the float. Each float can only engage
in the notch of the wooden rod intended for it by reason of an enlargement or
fender placed on the lower edge of each, where it passes over the notches in the
other two rods, thus preventing it entering. Floating wings or anchored dams are
attached to the front of the sluice at a suitable angle to turn the flowing water
inwards, and so increase the flow of water. These dams may reach to the bottom
of the stream. They are hinged to the sluice, so that they may be folded back on
to it when not in use, and when in use they are suitably braced to one another
and to the sluice by ropes or chains hooked on so as to be easily removed. The
mill is weighted or buoyed so as to immerse it up to the level of the three cranked
shaft, which is on the same level or a little below the axle of the rear float wheel.
The mill is anchored by a rope or chain passing through eyes, one end being
securely anchored well out in the stream, and the other end passing round a post
or windlass on shore. This rope or chain may require adjusting at any considerable
rise and fall of the tide. A screw rod support is placed at each corner of the sluice
to rest on the bed of the stream, a disc being fixed near the lower end of each to
prevent too great an entranco in a muddy bottom. The rotary motion of the
main axle is communicated to the machinery on shore by a connecting rod attached
at each end by a link or universal joint, the relative positions of the mill and the
machinery on shore being additionally maintained by rods or ties jointed between
them so as to allow for the rise and fall of the tide. Or the float wheel may
actuate another wheel bevel or frictional, and this by a band passing round
another wheel communicate the notion on shore. These two wheels must be con-
centrically joined.
When only a little power is necessary the crank
may be used alone without the rear float wheel.
not float; their rear ends may instead work in
cranks.
Recular motion is secured by attaching a fly wheel
shaft with its floats and rods
Also the said wooden rods need
slides or be attached to other

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John William Gray in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
May 1879.
JOHN WILLIAM GRAY, of 27, (late of 16) Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER
MILLS FOR USE IN RUNNING STREAMS."
This Invention relates to improvements in water mills for use in running
streams. And in order that the same may be clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe it with the aid of the accompanying
Drawings, reference being had to the letters and figures marked thereon, and in
which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly sectional, of the water-mill embodying my
Invention, and
Fig. 2 is a top or plan view thereof.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two Figures.
My Invention relates to the class of water-mills which are used in running
streams, and consists of a crank shaft carrying a series of floats, which are held
perpendicular to the action of the water by floating arms, which latter engage
with a wheel, from which the power is communicated to the shore or other place
of service.
It also consists of float-boards on the power-wheel, which are held vertical by
the action of the floating arms.
It also consists in providing the float-boards with fenders, whereby each will
engage only with its respective or proper floating arm.
It also consists in combining with the sluice box means for anchoring and holding
the same.
It finally consists of the combination of parts to form an improvement in water-
mills.
Referring to the Drawings, A represents a sluice or box, on which is transversely
mounted a horizontal shaft B, carrying two wheels or heads C, C, to which are
pivoted float-boards D, D¹, D¹¹, on centres equidistant from each other and from the
centre of the shaft B.
The bottoms of the float-boards carry fenders E, consisting of strips or pieces of
wood or other material, slightly rounded on their lower faces, and extending par-
tially along the length of the said boards.
G represents a triple-crank shaft, which is mounted on the sides of the sluice or
box A, and H, H, H", represent floats, which are journaled loosely on the trans-
verse portions of the said crank, and equidistant from each other, the throw of the
floats being equal to the throw of the float-boards D, D¹, D". To each float H is
firmly connected an arm J, which extends longitudinally or in the direction of the
stream, and has near its free end a notch K open upward.
L represents a rod or bar, which is secured to and rises from a cross-piece M
supported on the sluice or box, and so arranged that the float-boards D, D¹, D¹¹
during the rotation of the heads C, C, will strike thereagainst, and thus be guided
vertically into the water. This is assisted by the float-boards being pivoted a little
above their centres.
Rollers N are mounted on a rod N¹, whose ends are secured to the box or
sluice A, and arranged at the rear of said box in such position that the arms J
strike against them, and are thus disengaged from the float-boards D, D', D¹¹.
To the crank-shaft G there is keyed or otherwise fixed a pulley or wheel P,
around which passes a chain or belt P₁, which also passes around one of the
heads C, and if desired a pulley or wheel P may be secured to both ends of the
crank-shaft, and two chains or belts P¹ employed, one for each pulley and head,

page_text: To the sides of the forward end of the sluice or box A are pivoted vertical dams
or wings R, and at said end there is also connected a rope or chain S, which passes
freely through rings or staples secured to the sluice or box, one end of the rope or
chain being attached to a windlass on shore, and the other end connected to an
anchor well out in the stream.
T represents a connecting-shaft, which is attached by a knuckle or universal
joint to the shaft B or journals of the wheel or heads C, C, and likewise in the
same manner to a shaft on shore, and U represents rods, which extend from the
sluice to the shore.
At two or all of the corners of the sluice or box A are fitted vertical screw-
rods V, which are adapted to rest on the bed of the stream, and they are provided
with heads or stops for limiting the extent of penetration in muddy beds. Suffi-
cient weight is permitted to rest upon the rods to assist in preventing the mill
from surging or pitching from the motion of the current or waves, the mill being
supported in a measure by the rods as well as by flotation.
The operation is as follows:-The mill is placed in a running stream with the
journals of the crank-shaft G at the water line. One of the floats, say H, being
partly immersed receives the force of the current, and is held nearly vertical by
the floating arm J, and the mill is started. The float-board D having its edge in
the notch of the arm J is also struck by the current, and during its passage through
the water is held nearly vertical by said moving arm J. This arm eventually
comes in contact with rollers N, and is thus disengaged from float-board D, which
latter passes on.
Next the board D' is by means of the rod L guided vertically
into the water, and enters the notch of arm J of the float H', which by the revo-
lution of shaft G has been brought into position to receive it, and thus connected
board D and float H move through the water as described with board D and
float H. The other float-boards, floats, and arms act in turn in the same manner,
and thus a continuous motion is imparted to the wheels or heads C, C; and the
shaft B, the power being transmitted to the shore or place of service by means of
the connecting rod or shaft T, or a band passing from a wheel or pulley placed at
a right angle to and actuated by the wheel or head C. The fenders E are of such
lengths, and are so located on the float-boards that each board can only engage
with its respective arm J, as said fenders are wider than the notches, and thus
prevented entering the notches, whereby each arm will properly engage with its
own float-board. The rods or spars U are pivotted concentrically with the shaft T
so as to hold the mill at proper distances from the machinery on shore, so that the
rise and fall of the stream will not affect nor interfere with the transmission of
power from mill to shore.
The bearings of the floats, rollers, &c., may rest on metallic linings or bushings
screwthreaded on their outer surfaces.
The wings R may be opened at any angle with the sluice desired so as to
increase the current of the stream, and they may be folded against the sluice or
box A when not required for use. When opened or spread they will be held by
rods, bars, &c., in any suitable manner.
The means of holding the mill in the stream will be adjusted relatively to the
change of tide or rise or fall of the stream. As the water rises and falls the sluice
moves along the anchoring-rope S. The rods or spars U serve also to draw in and
push out the sluice. Boats, casks, &c., may be attached to the sluice to increase the
buoyancy.
In order to stop the mill the arms J are forced down by any proper means suffi-
ciently to clear the float-boards, and a brake is applied to one of the wheels or
heads. If desired a power or balance wheel may be secured to the shafts G or B, or
to both.
The heads C, C, may be formed with spokes or be otherwise constructed, and the
number of floats, float-boards, and arms may be increased or diminished, but two
of each will be the minimum number in order to impart continuous motion to the

page_text: SDRIG D.
power.
The crank-snart Gr WICH Its oats will revolve alone and furnish
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,―
1. The floats H, H¹, H", mounted on a crank-shaft, and carrying floating
arms J.
2. The float-boards D, D₁, D", provided with fenders E, and the same in com-
bination with the floating arms J and throw off N, substantially as and for the pur-
pose set forth.
3. The sluice or box A, with rods V, anchoring chains or cord S, wings R, R,
shaft T, and hold-off rods or spars U, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Gray, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN W. GRAY.
GRAY. (L.S.)