Pneumatically-operated power generator - has impellers with spiral blades coupled by centrifugal clutches driving electric generator

摘要

A shaft carries several impeller elements. These are connected by centrifugal clutches. There are also flywheels between the impellers to increase the momentum. Compressed air is admitted from a reservoir to the first impeller. When it has reached an adequate speed the first clutch engages the second impeller. Compressed air is then admitted to the second impeller and the supply to the first is shut. The process is repeated for successive impellers. Each impeller consists of a set of spiral blades with rotating masses which move out along the spiral to increase the momentum as the speed increases.