Water wheel used to drive dynamo or alternator - has paddles hinged to swing into horizontal position during movement against flow

摘要

The water wheel has flow-sensitive hinged paddles. The flow of water moves each paddle into a near-horizontal position when it is at the top centre of the wheel. In this position, it offers little resistance to the flow of water and therefore does not impede the rotation of the wheel on its axle. As the wheel rotates, the paddle remains horizontal until it is at the point nearest to the water source. At this point, the free end of the paddle comes to rest on a bar across the inner concentric ring of the wheel. The force of water keeps the paddle pressed against the stop bar, until it is nearly horizontal again, when the paddle's weight coupled with the direction of flow swing the paddle on its hinge through 180 degrees. The wheel can be used to drive a dynamo or alternator.