Water wheel

Abstract

A waterwheel made up of a number of parallel narrow circular bands, connected by spokes to a central metal axel, which is in turn mounted to a boat hull on bearings. The axel is oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the keel line. Alternative to the parallel circular bands, a narrow spiral band, supported by a central metal ring and two lateral rings is also presented. Making the supporting rings of similar size simulates a flat surface of support, while making the central ring larger than the lateral support ring simulates a “V” shaped surface of support. These narrow circular or spiral bands tend to slice through the waves resulting in a smoother ride, yet still providing enough lifting effect like a water ski. However, unlike water skis, the waterwheels rotate around an axel, which is mounted on bearings, thus considerably reducing drag and improving efficiency.

1 . I claim a waterwheel device comprising of a series of narrow circular bands mounted parallel to each other by spokes, along the length of a metal axel which is in turn connected to the inner wall of a multi-hull boat by means of bearings and is meant to rotate freely and at planing speed is designed to carry some of the weight of the boat, reduce the wetted surface of the hulls, consequently reducing drag.  
     
     
         2 . I claim an alternative waterwheel device comprising of two or more narrow spiral bands mounted by spokes to a metal central axel which is in turn connected to the inner wall of a multi-hulled boat by means of bearings, and is meant to rotate freely and at planing speed is designed to carry part of the weight of the boat, reduce the wetted surface of the hulls, consequently reducing drag.  
     
     
         3 . The device described in  claim 1  wherein the narrow circular band in contact with the water is made up either of metal, wood, hard rubber, resin impregnated glass or carbon fiber, or a combination of these materials whose surface, cross-sectional profile is either flat or a shallow “V” shape.  
     
     
         4 . The device described in  claim 1  wherein the metal axel is mounted on bearings to the boat hulls, with an orientation perpendicular to the long axis of the keel of the boat.  
     
     
         5 . The device described in  claim 1  is positioned in such a way that the level of the lowest portion of the circular bands protrudes slightly lower than the bottom of the boats hulls.  
     
     
         6 . The device described in  claim 1  wherein the circumference of the circular bands can either be the same, simulating a flat water support, or progressively diminishing in size from the center ring outwards to simulate a “V” shaped water support.  
     
     
         7 . The device described in  claim 2  wherein the narrow bands are attached in spiral fashion from a central metal ring support, outwards to lateral support rings, which are fixed to the metal axel by means of spokes.  
     
     
         8 . The narrow band described in  claim 7  originates from the central supporting ring and spirals laterally around the axel and attaches to the lateral support wheels in mirror like fashion.  
     
     
         9 . The device in  claim 2  wherein the narrow spiral bands in contact with the water is made up of either metal, wood, hard rubber, resin impregnated glass or carbon fiber, or a combination of these materials, whose surface cross sectional profile is either flat or gently sloping inward or outward.  
     
     
         10 . The device described in  claim 2  wherein the central and lateral wheel supports rings may either be the same circumference to simulate a flat bottom support, or that the middle ring support is bigger than the two lateral support rings, to simulate a “V” shaped bottom.  
     
     
         11 . A series of the waterwheel devices described in claims  1  and  2  can be mounted along the length of the boat hull for more support and level ride.  
     
     
         12 . The devices described in claims  1  and  2  are designed to fit within the tunnel space between the hulls of multi-hulled boats.  
     
     
         13 . In trimarans, a split “V” configuration of the waterwheel devices may be mounted within the two hull tunnels particularly when the central hull of the boat sits deeper in the water than the two lateral hulls.