AN ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW APPARATUS

摘要

An Archimedean screw apparatus (l) is provided for use either in power generation or for the pumping or conveying of fluid material. The apparatus (l) comprises a screw body (2) formed by a shaft (4) and at least one helical flight (5) that is located in a close-fitting channel structure (3). The screw body (2) is rotatably mounted such that the flight (5) is in frictional contact with an inner surface (6) of the channel structure (3). This means that the weight of the screw body (2) is borne at least partially by the channel structure (3) and is dissipated fully or partially along the length of channel structure (3). Hence, preferably the screw body is either provided with only a single bearing (8) located at one end of the shaft (4), the other end of the screw body (2) being left floating within the channel structure (3), or the screw body is not provided with any bearings and the shaft (4) is connected directly to a drive mechanism or to part of a power generating apparatus.