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Need a method to measure output of water wheel

Need a method to measure output of water wheel

Need a method to measure output of water wheel

(OP)
Have a patent, made a model (1:12) and need a method of testing the output. There is a water testing facility at a nearby university that we plan to use, but need some form of machine to measure the power generated at given speeds. I am sure differing load conditions could increase or decrease the operational efficiencies, but don't know where to begin.

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

How about a torque sensor on the output shaft?  That plus the RPM gives you the power.

Timelord

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

(OP)
Thank you for the lead. After googling torque sensor, and seeing 3 to 6 thousand dollars, I am now googling torque sensor rentals.
(I wonder how Da Vinci did all this)

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

The thing you are looking for is a brake dynanometer. At its simplest it is a leather strap and a weight pan.

This book will give you some hints

Stronger Than a Hundred Men: A History of the Vertical Water Wheel By Terry S. Reynolds

However, these days we'd just plug it into an electric motor.




 

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

Since it's just 1/12 scale, hook it up to an alternator and measure the output.  If you want to do it really cheaply, dump the power into a load resistor, and measure the voltage with a voltmeter. Then use P=V^2/R to find the power.

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel


If it is not invasive, what is the actual measurements of the 1:12 prototype?
Diameter?
Axis?
Foil Depth?  

At 74th year working on IR-One2 - - UHK PhD - - -

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

(OP)
I am about a month from releasing the overall design to the public, and would like to keep it offline for a little longer. I will post then, but for now we are going to just try and scale up the numbers that we get from the model that we built.
Thanks and I will make it a point to come back and post some numbers that can compare actuals to model, formulas to reality.

RE: Need a method to measure output of water wheel

The use of a brake dynamometer as posted by GregLocock is the way to go. Lookup Prony Brake for information. For RPM measurement a simple mechanical speed indicator will do the job.  

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