I stumbled across Norman Dell’s incredible 1926 patent for this wacky hydrokinetic power scheme while searching for a rumored tidal power project in Long Beach in 1925. Apparently, water currents would carry cars with vanes dipped into the water along a sort of track, thereby moving a chain and creating mechanical energy that could be converted via a dynamo/generator. Dell writes:
“The object of the invention is to erect a track 6 carrying structure over the flow upon which are mounted a plurality of cars having downwardly extending vanes which project into the flow and thus carry the cars along the track in the direction in which the water is flowing, such cars being adapted to connect with an endless belt or other power conducting means for transforming their longitudinal movement into a rotative movement which is coupled to dynamos or actuates any required machinery.”
There’s no record of M. Norman Dell of Buffalo ever constructing even a prototype, but you have to love his imagination. Cars. Cars with Fins! Cars with fins that generate energy from running water!!!
