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14. Inclined Water Wheel



OF AN INCLINED WATER WHEEL.

The principal mechanical merit I conceive this Machine to possess, lies in the facility it gives of taking a stream of water as high, and discharging it as low as possible: and both nearly in the direction in which it naturally flows. Of the advantage it possesses in keeping the water a long time from falling, I shall not now speak, as it would require more discussion than this work comports; and, moreover, the Plate confines us to a somewhat contracted representation, which I hope my readers will excuse.



Plate 48 fig. 3, A B is the section of the wheel, and C D a small portion of it's circumference--which shews the form and position of the floats a b c, &c. E is a floor on which the upper water flows, and from which it falls thinly on to the wheel--whose motion is purposely made as slow as possible. The water then, occupies one half of the wheel's circumference, falls by a gentle slope and finally leaves the wheel at d, whether it there touches the lower water, or not. This wheel is allowed to be incapable of using to advantage a large stream of water--but is doubtless fit to employ a small stream, in the best manner.