improvements in water wees.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
improvements in water wees.
I, LUDWIG RENTERS, of Menden, in the Province of Westphalia, Germany,
Manufacturer, 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 has for its object a new water wheel adapted for every stream rivulet
or any flowing water, and it consists in a framing or casing which carry two or more
vertical water wheels having movable floats, said wheels in being driven by the water
transmit this movement by bevil gear to a shaft which is arranged on the framing.
This simple and effective machine I can insert into the flowing water without erect-
ing therein special arrangements and buildings as it is the case with other horizontal
and vertical water wheels. I have only to take care to prevent the apparatus from
swimming away.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have hereunto
appended two sheets of explanatory drawings illustrating my new water machine as
constructed and as it works in accordance with my improvements.
In these drawings Figure 1 represents a vertical view of the machine partly in
section, Figure 2 a plan partly in section, Figure 3 is a vertical section taken at right
angle to Figure 1, Figures 4 and 5 show the arrangement of the machine in flowing
water and the working of the same.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the drawing.
The machine consists of a box of preferably rectangular form having a bottom
plate a a front wall b two side walls c and a top plate d. At the back side opposite
the wall b the box is open.
In this box are journalled two vertical drums e consisting of a hollow metal
cylinder and having fixed to their top and bottom plate spokes f, the outer ends of
which are rigidly connected by round bars g. Both drums are located in such a
distance from each other that the bars g overlap a little when their corresponding
spokes are nearly in the same direction. The bars g serve as fulcrum for the floats h
which are turnable fitted to each bar. The floats are of such height that they
conveniently can turn between the spokes. To their outer ends are fixed round
bars the ends of which extending somewhat over the upper and lower edge of the
float forming studs as will be seen from Figure 3. By means of these studs which
lie against the spokes of the floats may be rigidly secured to the wheels and they are
thus capable to receive a pressure directed against their face. The drums are
journalled in the bottom plate a by means of studs k and in the top plate d by studs
so that they easily may be turned. To the studs A¹ are fixed bevil wheels i mesh-
ing with bevil wheels m which are keyed to a horizontal shaft n that is located in a
bracket o fixed to the top plate d.
On said top plate are arranged left and right air vessels p forming cylinders of thin
sheet metal. The front wall b of the box is extended upwards and stiffened against
the plate d by bars q. In the middle of said wall is arranged an aperture r which
may be closed by a slide 8. The working of my machine is a follows:
The apparatus described is fitted at both side walls c with rollers and bars u
corresponding with said rollers are rammed into the stream rivulet or any flowing

page_text: water so that the apparatus inserted into the same Figure 4 is guided by said
rollers & engaging the bars in such a way that it can only dip into the water until the
top plate d is covered whilst it is prevented from swimming away by the bars u.
For this purpose the hollow drums may be filled with any light material compressed
air gas or the like.
Before the apertures r are arranged left and right bars which are rammed into
the stream and like bars w are rammed in the water before the bars v'in a some-
what broader distance than the bars v. Round the bars ware laid the vertical
plates the ends of which lie against the bars so that an oblique channel C is
arranged before the aperture r. By this channel and the upwards extending plate b
forming in some measure a weir the water is forced to run with increased velocity
into the opened apparatus. Here it presses on the floats which as Figure 4 shows
are secured to the spokes so that the drums are turned round in the direction of the
arrows left and right transmitting their movement by the gear 1, m to the shaft n
the movement of which may be utilized either direct or indirect.
As the floats of both drums are overlapping each other there is no loss of acting
water. The floats entering the dead water behind the apparatus adjust themselves
turning round their posts 9 so that they may easy out the water and not prevent the
turning of the drums, causing thus no loss of power. In case of inundation the
plates are removed from the bars and put in the position shown in dotted lines
in Figure 4. The air vessels are arranged in this case to carry the apparatus in its
swimming condition.
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) A framing or casing a, b, c, d having an aperturer and carrying two or more
revolving vertical water wheels, the upper studs of said wheels are provided with
bevel gear in order to set in motion a horizontal shaft being arranged to said framing
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
2) The arrangement and construction of a water wheel consisting of a hollow
drum e filled with air, gas or a light material having fixed to its top and bottom
spokes which are rigidly connected by posts g, said posts carrying movable floats h
the ends of which are provided with studs substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
3) The construction and employment of rollers & fitted to the casing a, b, c, d of
bars to engage said rollers, of hars v, w and plates which form an oblique re-
movable channel substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 26th day of July 18OR