An Improved Water-current Motor.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Water-current Motor.
We GEORGE "R" DRIGGS, ALFRED HYRAM DRIGGS, GEORGE HENRY SCHACHT,
and SAMUEL ADOLPHIS LIVINGSTON, all of Marion, Hudson County, State of New
Jersey, United States of America, Inventors, 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:—
The object of this invention is to provide an improved motor which shall be driven
by means of a current or flow of water, the said motor possessing many advantages
over those hitherto in use, giving more power, being more transportable, and in the
case of a rising of the stream or other water by which it is actuated it is capable of
rising therewith, thereby aiding in equalizing the power obtained.
In the accompanying drawing which represents a view in perspective of our
invention A represents piers which are built in the stream upon a suitable foundation
provided for the purpose at any desirable distance apart. Upon these piers in
bearings provided therefor is mounted a shaft B which carries sprocket or toothed
wheels C rigidly secured to the said shaft. A frame D preferably formed in section
united to each other by means of hinges E floats upon the surface of the stream.
The end of the frame D which is farthest from the piers A carries upon it a shaft F
mounted upon bearings secured to the said frame D; this shaft F having wheels G
secured thereto similar to those upon the shaft B.
Around the wheels C, and G pass endless chains H to which at intervals are
attached buckets I. Motion is imparted to the chains by the said buckets coming in
contact with, and being forced down the stream by the current therein; the chains
in their turn communicating the same to the wheel c and shaft B.
Upon the shaft B is mounted a driving pulley J by which the power obtained is
utilized.
The chain is supported at any required height above the water by small wheels or
roller bearings L which prevent the buckets coming in contact with the water as
they travel towards the driving shaft on the piers thus obviating any loss of power thereby.
The frame D floating upon the water allows the same to rise and fall with the
stream thus always securing an equal depth of immersion of the buckets.
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. The water current motor herein described combining therein: Two stationary
piers, a revolving shaft with toothed or sprocket wheels mounted thereon supported
in bearings upon the said piers, a movable self-adjusting float made in sections
hinged together, toothed wheels carried in bearings upon said float, and endless
chains carrying buckets and connections, said float with said piers as described, said
parts being combined and arranged with relation to one another and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2. The combination of a movable self-adjusting float made in sections hinged to
one another, toothed or sprocket wheels upon a shaft carried by one of the said
sections and adapted to and connected with the sprocket wheels and driving shaft
upon the stationary piers by means of the endless chains substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 30th day of September 1890.
HORN & SON,
Applicants' Agents.