Improvements in or relating to the Utilization of the Tides to Drive Machinery.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Utilization of the Tides to
Drive Machinery.
I, JOHN COCKBURN Junior, of Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed, in the County of
Northumberland, Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to utilize the action of the tides to develop motion
and power.
According to this invention I provide docks or reservoirs on suitable parts of the
coast to which the tide has access. These reservoirs are provided with suitable
openings or sluices, the passage of the water to or from them being employed to
actuate turbines or other similar devices suitably arranged for the purpose. They
are also provided with sluices or other suitable means by which they may be
rapidly filled or emptied.
The following are some of the ways in which this invention may be carried into
practical effect :-
(1) A suitable retaining wall is thrown across the entrance to a portion of land
to which the tide has access. Through this retaining wall and extending from it
on the inner side is a water-tight passage provided with sluices at each end so that
the water may be admitted to and shut off from it. Adjoining this passage and
divided from it by a water-tight partition is a well or pit of suitable depth, com-
municating with the said passage by an opening having a sluice valve or gate. In
this well or pit is placed a horizontal turbine or other device of like nature so
arranged that when working it may rise and fall automatically with the level of
the tail water. The turbine and its gate attachment slide vertically in water-tight
grooves to prevent the access of water from the passage to the well other than
through the turbine.
Suitable openings are formed in the sides of the well at the lowest tide level and
are provided with sluice-valves or gates so that communication for the escape of
the tail water may be established with the reservoir on the inside or the sea or
tidal water on the outside.
The retaining wall of the dock or reservoir is provided with a number of sluices
so that the reservoir may be rapidly filled or emptied other than through the well
containing the turbine.
Supposing the tide to be out and the dock emptied and all the gates shut, the
tide is allowed to rise for say three hours or until half tide level, or thereabout is
reached, the water in the reservoir remaining at low tide level during this period.
The tail water opening from the well to the dock, the gate between the outside and
the water passage and that between the water passage and the end of the turbine
are then opened so that water passes into the reservoir through the turbine which
is consequently set in motion. The said gates are allowed to remain open until full
tide, that being about three hours, the turbine rising automatically with the level
of the tail water.
The size of the turbine and the flow or quantity of water passing through it are
regulated so that the tail water shall not rise much above the relative level in
regard to the head at which the work started.
At full tide the whole of the sluices are to be opened and the dock rapidly filled
up. All the sluices are then shut and allowed to remain so until half ebb. The
tail water opening between the well and the outside, the gate between the dock and

page_text: the water passage, and the gate between the water passage and the end of the
turbine are then opened, work is again commenced by the driving water flowing
from the dock through the turbine to the outside. This goes on for three hours
until low tide when the whole of the sluices are to be opened and the dock emptied
at once. During this period the turbine falls automatically with the fall of the
tail water. There will thus be four periods of work each of three hours duration
in every twenty-four hours with a head of water of from five to nine feet according
to the tide.
This arrangement would be suitable for the storage of electricity, compressing
air, etc.
It will be understood that any number of turbines may be employed according to
the area of the space available and the power required.
(2) When work is required to be to a certain extent continuous the dock or
reservoir hereinbefore described may be divided into three compartments.
Number 1 to be used under the same conditions as mentioned for the arrangement
last described. Number 2 to be emptied at every low tide (ebb tide) and kept as
nearly at low tide level as possible. Number 3 to be filled up at every full tide
and kept as nearly at high tide level as possible. Numbers 2 and 3 need not be
more than two-thirds of the superficial area of number 1 and number need not
be deeper than half tide level if desired. This latter compartment has an opening
communicating with the water passage to the turbine described in the first
arrangement. Number 2 has a tail water opening communicating with the well
or pit. All the compartments have openings and sluices communicating with the
outside sufficient to fill and empty them rapidly.
Suppose the working day to have three periods of three hours each, say from
6 a.m. to 9 a.m. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and suppose the tide full at
6 a.m. and compartments numbers and 3 full up and number 2 empty. Work
would be commenced by allowing water to flow from the outside through the water
passage and the turbine into number 2 for one and a half hours with the driving
water at first having a head equal to the difference between high and low tide levels.
From 7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m. the water is allowed to flow from number 3 to number 2
there being nearly the same high head a relatively small quantity of water is used
compared with what would be used at the ordinary half tide level.
At 9 a.m. the tide would be at half ebb from 10 a.m. to 12 noon the water is
allowed to flow from number 1 to the outside with two-thirds of the difference
between high and low tide levels for head. At 12 noon the tide would be out and
numbers 1 and 2 emptied, but work may be kept going by water flowing from
number three to outside until 1 p.m. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. the driving water is
made to flow from number 3 to number 2. At 3 p.m. the tide is half full and the
driving water flows from outside into number 1 until 5 p.m.
In practice a slightly different arrangement might be put in force, for instance
to relieve compartment number 3 from 7.30 to 8.15 the driving water may be
allowed to flow from number 1 to number 2 and then from 8.15 to 9 from
number 3 to number 2, but I have sufficiently indicated the principle on which I
would work this arrangement of reservoirs. This system of compartments would
suit any arrangement of working hours or any tidal period.
Whenever compartments numbers 2 and 3 are used there is always a high head
of water therefore a proportionately small quantity of water is used. While work
is going on all sluices are kept shut except those actually required to be open for
the flow of water to and from the turbine excepting when they are opened to fill or
empty the compartments.
(3) Where natural facilities exist for having an elevated reservoir at a good
height the first arrangement viz. that of having a turbine working for four periods
of three hours each every twenty-four hours could be utilized to pump water up to
the elevated reservoir or a hydraulic ram constructed upon the principle of rising
and falling automatically with the rise and fall of the tail water might be used

page_text: instead of the turbine and pump to force water up to the required height, the
dock etc. to be used for it in the same manner as for the turbine. From the high
reservoir the water to be led to high pressure turbines or water pressure engines
for the driving of machinery.
TOL A1000
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Utilization of the Tides to
Drive Machinery.
I, JOHN COCKBURN, Junior, of Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed, in the County
of Northumberland, Builder, 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 utilize the action of the tides to develop motion
and power.
According to this invention I provide docks or reservoirs on suitable parts of the
coast to which the tide has access. These reservoirs are provided with suitable
openings or slices, the passage of the water to or from them being employed to
actuate turbines or other similar devices suitably arranged for the purpose. They
are also provided with sluices or other suitable means by which they may be
rapidly filled or emptied.
The following are some of the ways in which this invention may be carried into
practical effect:
(1) A suitable retaining wall is thrown across the entrance to a portion of land
to which the tide has access. Through this retaining wall and extending from it
on the inner side is a water-tight passage provided with sluices at each end so that
the water may be admitted to and shut off from it. Adjoining this passage and
divided from it by a water tight partition is a well or pit of suitable depth, com-
municating with the said passage by an opening having a sluice valve or gate.
In this well or pit is placed a horizontal turbine or other device of like nature so
arranged that when working it may rise and fall automatically with the level of
the tail water. The turbine and its gate attachment slide vertically in water-
tight grooves to prevent the access of water from the passage to the well other
than through the turbine.
Suitable openings are formed in the sides of the well at the lowest tide level
and are provided with sluice-valves or gates so that communication for the escape
of the tail water may be established with the reservoir on the inside or the sea or
tidal water on the outside.
The retaining wall of the dock or reservoir is provided with a number of sluices
so that the reservoir may be rapidly filled or emptied other than through the well
containing the turbine.
Supposing the tide to be out and the dock emptied and all the gates shut, the
tide is allowed to rise for say three hours or until half tide level, or thereabout, is
reached the water in the reservoir remaining at low tide level during this period.
The tail water opening from the well to the dock, the gate between the outside and
the water passage and that between the water passage and the end of the turbine
are then opened so that water passes into the reservoir through the turbine which
is consequently set in motion. The said gates are allowed to remain open until
full tide, that being about three hours, the turbine rising automatically with the
level of the tail water.
The size of the turbine and the flow or quantity of water passing through it are

page_text: regulated so that the tail water shall not rise much above the relative level in
regard to the head at which the work started.
At full tide the whole of the sluices are to be opened and the dock rapidly
filled up.
All the sluices are then shut and allowed to remain so until half ebb.
The tail water opening between the well and the outside, the gate between the
dock and the water passage, and the gate between the water passage and the end
of the turbine are then opened, work is again commenced by the driving water
flowing from the dock through the turbine to the outside. This goes on for three
hours until low tide when the whole of the sluices are to be opened and the dock
emptied at once. During this period the turbine falls automatically with the fall
of the tail water. There will thus be four periods of work each of three hours
duration in every twenty-four hours with a head of water of from five to nine feet
according to the tide.
This arrangement would be suitable for the storage of electricity, compressing
air, &c.
It will be understood that any number of turbines may be employed according
to the area of the space available and the power required.
(2) When work is required to be to a certain extent continuous the dock or
reservoir herein before described may be divided into three compartments.
Number one to be used under the same conditions as mentioned for the arrange-
ment last described. Number two to be emptied at every low tide (ebb tide) and
kept as nearly at low tide level as possible. Number three to be filled up at
every full tide and kept as nearly at high tide level as possible. Numbers two and
three need not be more than two-thirds of the superficial area of number one and
number three need not be deeper than half tide level if desired. This latter com-
partment has an opening communicating with the water passage to the turbine
described in the first arrangement. Number two has a tail water opening com-
municating with the well or pit. All the compartments have openings and sluices
communicating with the outside sufficient to fill and empty them rapidly.
Suppose the working day to have three periods of three hours each say from
6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and suppose the tide full
at 6 a.m. and compartments numbers one and three full up and number two empty.
Work would be commenced by allowing water to flow from the outside through the
water passage and the turbine into number two for one and a half hours with the
driving water at first having a head equal to the difference between high and low
tide levels. From 7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m. the water is allowed to flow from number
three to number two there being nearly the same high head a relatively small
quantity of water is used compared with what would be used at the ordinary half
tide level.
At 9 a.m. the tide would be at half ebb from 10 a.m. to 12 noon the water is
allowed to flow from number one to the outside with two-thirds of the difference
between high and low tide levels for head. At 12 noon the tide would be out and
numbers one and two emptied, but work may be kept going by water flowing from
number three to outside until 1 p.m. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. the driving water is
made to flow from number three to number two. At 3 p.m. the tide is half full
and the driving water flows from outside into number one until 5 p.m.
In practice a slightly different arrangement might be put in force, for instance
to relieve compartment number three from 7.30 to 8.15 the driving water may be
allowed to flow from number one to number two and then from 8.15 to 9 from
number three to number two, but I have sufficiently indicated the principle on
which would work this arrangement of reservoirs. This system of compartments
would suit any arrangement of working hours or any tidal period.
Whenever compartments numbers two and three are used there is always a high
head of water therefore a proportionately small quantity of water is used.
While
work is going on all bluices are kept shut except those actually required to be
opened for the flow of water to and from the turbine excepting when they are
opened to fill or empty the compartments.

page_text: (3) Where natural facilities exist for having an elevated reservoir at a good
height the first arrangement viz. that of having a turbine working for four periods
of three hours each every twenty-four hours could be utilized to pump water up
to the elevated reservoir of a hydraulic ram constructed upon the principle of
rising and falling automatically with the rise and fall of the tail water might be
used instead of the turbine and pump to force water up to the required height, the
dock etc. to be used for it in the same manner as for the turbine. From the high
reservoir the water to be led to high pressure turbines or water pressure engines
for the driving of machinery.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompany-
ing two sheets of drawings of which Figure 1 is a plan view of a turbine fitted in
a well or pit, as hereinbefore described, for the purpose of carrying out this inven-
tion according to the method first referred to; Figures 2 and 3 are vertical
sections taken through the well or pit.
As shown in the drawings the turbine or other suitable water motor A is placed
within the well or pit formed upon one side of the retaining wall R and made to
communicate by means of a gate N with a water passage H. The ends of this
passage are each provided with a gate O, one being in the retaining wall R and
the other at the opposite end of the passage H communicating with the reservoir or
dock formed by the said retaining wall. The well itself is provided with the
gates M whereby communication may he had with the reservoir and with the
tidal water. The height of the water at ebb tide is shown at E; at half tide
at F, and at full tide at G.
The turbine is provided with friction clutches B actuated by a float D, 80
that the movements of its spindle may be employed to automatically operate the
gearing C for the purpose of raising and lowering it with the level of the water
in a manner that will be well understood upon an examination of the drawings.
The weight of the turbine and its gearing is counterbalanced so that it may be
the more readily adjusted to the height of the water. The counter-balancing
arrangements are not shown in the drawings as their application is obvious.
screen K is placed between the turbine and the float to prevent the oscillation
of the latter from the agitation of the tail water.
A
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 :-
:-
The herein before described method of utilizing the tides substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of Jan1902
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.