Importance

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Abstract

An energy conversion apparatus includes a turbine-like structure for converting water pressure to rotary motion. A vortex is set up within the structure and is used to enhance the power output of the device. The apparatus includes a drum for receiving water from a plurality of nozzles, and a plurality of lugs disposed on an interior surface of an upper portion of the drum. The lugs presenting a reaction surface to the water supplied by the nozzles from a pressure line for rotating the drum. The drum is elongated to provide an opportunity for a vortex to develop. The vortex is enhanced by the shape of the drum which presents a cross-section having a tapered portion which narrows progressively downwardly. The resultant vortex applies further rotational force to the interior surface of the drum, and more specifically to vanes provided within the drum for reacting with the vortex. Some of the lugs are connected to a central shaft by radial arms at a top opening of the drum. The drum rotates along with the central shaft, the radial arms providing a downdraft thereby to minimize frothing, foaming and the like. Upon exiting through a narrow bottom opening of the drum, the water is propelled against an augmentor, which includes a substantially inverted-dish shape having a plurality of stays connecting its periphery to the bottom opening of the drum. The stays are upwardly pitched in the forward direction, as are the upper radial arms of the drum, thus providing a further downdraft within the apparatus. Additional vanes are provided on the upper surface of the inverted dish, in order further to utilize on the vortex action. The dished portion of the augmentor, as well as the upper arms of the drum, are connected to a portion of the shaft, thereby rotating the shaft which is mounted by tapered bearings in a support structure therefor. A pulley is mounted on the external portion of the shaft for driving an external device by the motive power generated therein. In an alternative embodiment, additional nozzles are provided for directing water against a second plurality of lugs disposed on the outer periphery of the outer portion of the drum. For such a structure, the surrounding tailings box includes an inner surface shaped similarly to the outer shape of the drum, thereby enhancing a vortex action which also directs expended water from the external lugs also against the augmentor.

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First Claim