| 摘要 |
An improved liquid rotor device is provided having a cylindrically-shaped hub, which is supported by a horizontal shaft, and having several curved blades which are attached to the outer portions of the rotating hub. The horizontal shaft preferably rotates with the hub so that it can mechanically drive a device such as an electrical generator. The multiple blades mounted to the exterior surface of the hub are curved such that the longitudinal axis of each blade is parallel to the axis of rotation (i.e., the horizontal shaft). Each blade is arcuate in shape and preferably comprises a portion of the cylindrical wall of a hollow cylinder. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating hub and blades sub-assembly is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical housing that is entirely submerged in a liquid, such as water. The surrounding hollow cylindrical housing has an inlet to receive the liquid into the area of the rotating blades and an outlet through which the liquid is discharged. The inlet preferably is in communication with the discharge of a constricting chamber that has a large opening area and a small discharge area, such as a portion of a venturi. By use of this chamber, the velocity of the liquid is increased as it approaches the inlet. In a second embodiment, the rotating hub and blades sub-assembly is made to be buoyant so that the centerline of the rotating hub will be approximately at the surface of the liquid, so that the liquid rotor will essentially float along the surface of, for example, a stream, river or canal. The curved blades are directly exposed to themoving liquid, as well as to the wind of the gaseous air above the surface of the liquid. If the direction of the liquid current is substantially the same as the wind direction, then the wind will tend to inhibit the rotation of the blades and hub sub-assembly. In order to provide a reduced cross-sectional area against which the wind can act, the curved blades are hinged at the surface of the cylindrical hub, so that the wind will have less surface area to act against.
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