Power from the Force of Currents of Wind and of Water.
Year: 1886

page_text: Power from the Force of Currents of Wind and of Water.
I, ANTHONY BIVER, of Norfolk Villa, No. 14, Norfolk Road, St. John's Wood,
London, N.W., Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved combination apparatus for the propulsion of
the first motion shafts of machinery, and is particularly applicable under. circum-
stances where the natural power of the wind is available. It consists in the
combination upon a single vertical shaft of, preferably, three several media for the
reception of mechanical energy, the total energy being received by the single vertical
shaft from which it is conveyed by suitable gearing to the shaft to be rotated.
'The three media I employ are
1st. A wheel to be driven by water:
.2nd. A wheel to be driven by compressed air current ; and
3rd. Tiers of sails or wind-pockets, to be driven by wind.
In order that my.invention and the means by which the same can be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood I will proceed to describe the same in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as
part of this specification and read therewith, and in which like parts are marked with
the same reference letter throughout the figures in which they occur.
The figures illustrate the application of my invention to the purpose of marine
propulsion, the first and second media are therefore shewn as inclosed in the hold, and
the third above the deck.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation illustrating my invention and the means by which
its power is transmitted to the screw shaft.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the water-wheel and the wheel-gearing connecting
the two shafts.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the air-wheel.
Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, plans of the middle and lower tiers of sails as they
are illustrated in Fig. 1.
A is the single vertical shaft rotating in a suitable step bearing in the ship's bottom.
B, B are a pair of mitre gears, and C is part of the screw shaft.
Dis the water wheel. It is mounted on the shaft A preferably in the lowest
position as illustrated in Fig. 1, and is driven by a current of water forced against
its blades d by any suitable agency.
E is a second wheel also mounted on the shaft A, and is driven by a current of air
forced against its blades e by any suitable agency.
The relative sizes of the two wheels just described may of course be varied as
circumstances may require. I prefer that both be of equal power.
The figures illustrate three tiers of sails which I consider a convenient number,
although I would have it distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to this
number.
The bottom tier is the largest, and those above gradually diminish both in respect
of the diameter of the circular base upon which the sails are carried and also in
respect of the height of the individual sails-or-wind-pockets.
F is the circular base keyed upon the shaft A. A series of posts, f, f, firmly
braced together extend between the two bases F and G with which they make a firm
connection. Adjustable wind pockets are fixed to these posts, one pocket to each
post in the following manner. The inner sides, f, are fixed. to the posts, while the
outer and adjustable ones, f2, are hinged by their back edges to the corresponding
edges of the back ones. A series of chains, 3, or equivalent devices, is provided for
holding the adjustable sides at the desired angle with the inner sides, or for keeping
them closed. The hinged sides may be made to feather, that is, to close when they
meet the wind in their rotation and to open when they have passed the dead
centre.
Each pair of sides therefore constitutes a pocket in which a wind current would be
held, and which it would push round until clear of its path.
The construction of the second tier is the same as that of the lower one just
described. G is the base keyed on the central shaft A; g, are the posts; g', the
inner and fixed sides; g² the outer and hinged sides which may be made to feather or
not, and g³ fixed pockets on the under or top side of the next base.
The third tier consists of base H and a series of vanesh fixed upon a central
drum h. These vanes are hinged to the drum and are fitted with stops to keep them
up to the wind.
In constructing my invention, I do not confine myself to any particular material,
but may use either canvas, wood, or metal-one or all-as may be found most suitable
for the several parts and their respective functions.
Suitable braces, guides, antifriction rollers and lubricating devices are used as the
size of the apparatus may require.
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. The combination of a horizontal base fast upon a vertical shaft, a circular series
of wind-pockets attached to vertical posts, substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 2. The combination of a circular series of folding wind-pockets with a vertical
shaft for the purpose of producing rotary motion from the action of the wind upon
said pockets, substantially as above described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. The combination of a circular series of fixed wind-pockets with a vertical shaft,
substantially as above described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination of fixed and folding wind-pockets with a vertical shaft,
substantially as above described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination of air-wheel and water-wheel with a vertical shaft, substan-
tially as above described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination of wind-pockets, air-wheel, and water-wheel, with a vertical
shaft, substantially as above described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.