US4151719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water power apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-12-06
•
Granted: 1979-05-01
•
Expires: 1996-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A water motor has an endless series of buckets arranged for movement about a generally rectangular path of travel to present an uppermost, horizontal, loading flight whereby each bucket may be completely filled with water from an overlying basin prior to its descent along a vertical power flight of the motor. The buckets are pivotally supported for free swinging movement and there is provided a trip mechanism adjacent the lowermost end of the power flight for individually emptying the buckets at the end of their descent. A water outlet in the overlying basin extends longitudinally along the full length of the loading flight and is provided with a baffle for controlling the flow of water to the buckets. A pair of endless roller chains secured at opposite ends of the respective buckets are operably coupled with an output shaft for powered rotation of the latter in response to movement of the buckets along their rectangular path of travel.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur A. Boots
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:27
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B7/00; F03B7/006; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In a water power apparatus: an endless series of elongated, open top buckets arranged to form a rectangle, presenting an upper horizontal flight, a lower horizontal flight and a pair of vertical flights; an elongated pivot for each bucket respectively suspending the same with its open top facing upwardly when in a normal pendant position; structure supporting the pivots for continuous, unidirectional movement thereof with the buckets suspended therefrom transversely of their longitudinal axes, whereby the same descend along one vertical flight and ascend along the other vertical flight; a water-receiving basin positioned over said upper flight and extending substantially the full length of the latter; an outlet in the basin disposed for gravitational flow of water therefrom into the buckets throughout the length of the upper flight; a trip at the lower flight for sequentially tilting the buckets about their pivots to dump the water therefrom; a driven shaft; and mechanism interconnecting the pivots and coupled with said shaft for driving the latter in response to movement of the pivots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a water power apparatus: an endless series of elongated, open top buckets arranged to form a rectangle, presenting an upper horizontal flight, a lower horizontal flight and a pair of vertical flights; an elongated pivot for each bucket respectively suspending the same with its open top facing upwardly when in a normal pendant position; structure supporting the pivots for continuous, unidirectional movement thereof with the buckets suspended therefrom transversely of their longitudinal axes, whereby the same descend along one vertical flight and ascend along the other vertical flight; a water-receiving basin positioned over said upper flight and extending substantially the full length of the latter; an outlet in the basin disposed for gravitational flow of water therefrom into the buckets throughout the length of the upper flight; a trip at the lower flight for sequentially tilting the buckets about their pivots to dump the water therefrom; a driven shaft; and mechanism interconnecting the pivots and coupled with said shaft for driving the latter in response to movement of the pivots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1, said trip being positioned immediately adjacent said one flight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1, said mechanism including a pair of endless roller chains secured at respective opposite ends of said pivots and in meshing engagement with a sprocket on said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1, each pivot suspending its respective bucket at a point below the open top of the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1, said structure including a pair of spaced, rectangularly configured channel tracks, and rollers at opposite ends of each of said pivots in captive rolling engagement with said tracks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1, said outlet extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said upper flight and disposed centrally over said buckets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 6, said outlet having a width less than one-half the length of said buckets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 7, and an elongate baffle mounted on said basin for pivotal movement within said outlet in flow-controlling relationship to the latter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |