Building a good pelton wheel

[Tommey Reed]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to do some experiments on water wheel, the pelton wheel would be the best design for doing my testing.

Pelton wheels are not cheap, so I thought it would be best to just build my own buy just ordering the Pelton blades and making the water wheel myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAPyI8bFNPo

Tom

[evolvingape]

Hi Tommey,

I have theorised that it would be possible to use a Supersonic Pulsometer setup (minus the steam, magnets and coil) and run it on compressed air to drive the water piston with a PWM water jet.

Not done any experiments in that direction just not got the time but if you want to have a go at that when your wheel is built be my guest!

[Tommey Reed]

Hi EV,

Yes I understand the PWM pulse water jet acts like a hammer effect, timing would be something that could be worked out. maybe with a mechanical valve.

Tom

[evolvingape]

The timing in the SP is automatic via the snapvalve governor, it dumps repeatedly as the pressure builds and triggers at a set spring pressure, controlled by the mass flow rate.

I did make a video once upon a time showing how to make one but it's gone now.

Standard off the shelf quick exhaust valve (dump valve) is cheap and will work fine for prototyping on air. You can also make your own piston dump valve very easily, the schematic is in the Supersonic Pulsometer thread

http://www.overunityresearch.com/index.php?topic=2050.0

[Matt Watts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAPyI8bFNPo

Nice start Tom.

Question for you...

I cut a couple of wheels like this with my CNC router out of the same material as you are using.  I used the CNC because in my case I wanted a bearing in the center and already had the exact G-code to cut it perfectly.  Anyway, my question is, did your material warp at all when you cut this out?   Mine did.  Probably a good 1/4" from the highest to lowest point.   Something screwy about how those cutting boards are molded, like there are stress areas in them that must form as they cool.  At least that's my thought.  Let me know what you see.

Appreciate it,


M@

[Tommey Reed]

Hi Matt,

This is the complete Pelton wheel design, a little warp but it will do just fine.

I was going to use 10" circle saw blades, I would need two of them for the thickness if the Pelton cups.

This is the finished version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHEpfLDefeM

Tom

[Matt Watts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHEpfLDefeM

Sure like watching you work Tom.   

That much would take me a week at least and lord knows how much scrap I would generate.   

[Tommey Reed]

Hi All,

Before I test this Pelton wheel, I need to find the best pump I have, It seems like the Cal Pump 10,000gph will due.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YJLuKseVGE

Tom

[Tommey Reed]

Hi All,

This is the first test using the cal pump, not goo at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCDtXtM65pM

Tom

[Matt Watts]

This is the first test using the cal pump, not goo at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCDtXtM65pM

I hope no one faults you for trying.  I sure appreciate it, seeing how in my garage right now I would have to pump blocks of ice.

[evolvingape]

You need to measure the RPM of the wheel, and place a larger load on the system. Try loading it until it stalls and see how much energy that takes.

Good effort Tommey 

[Tommey Reed]

Hi EV,

That motor/generator would not work great, so I got my 2kw low rpms permanent magnet linear 3 phase generator/motor.

Now we have some real testing to do....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_-yiQJDWcM

Tom

[Matt Watts]

..., so I got my 2kw low rpms permanent magnet linear 3 phase generator/motor.

Now we have some real testing to do....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_-yiQJDWcM

Keep it dry Tom.  I'd hate to see you screw that expensive workhorse up.

[Tommey Reed]

Hi Matt,

This is a very special linear motor/generator. I removed the case many times to check how it's built, it has a epoxy around the field and seals for all types of weather.

I have two of them given to me for these types of experiments, I seen these new linear units over 5k each. Ebay has then for under 1.5k.

Tom

[Tommey Reed]

Hi All,

No mater how I design the pelton wheel the amount os energy needed to move it is to great.

Now I'm looking in to a ram pump type of system also known as water hammer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9LY0-WP9Go


This Clems engine test I did about a year ago use the first pump I showed trying to spin the pelton wheel, what a better design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kITsAwHtQEo

Tom