Wheel Output

The power output of Bessler's wheel can be estimated from known historical data. Sometimes the data is from Bessler's own writings. Sometimes the data is from eye witnesses. And sometimes dimensional data is derived by measuring and scaling the historical engravings made by Bessler. Sometimes different historical sources contradict each other. This might be caused from confusion by the authors of the historical document. For instance Wagner talks about the Merseburg (3rd) wheel as turning at 50 RPM while other witnesses say 40 RPM. The earlier Draschwitz (2nd) Wheel was said to have turned at 50 RPM. Wagner may have been confused.

Horse power can be calculated if we know how much weight is lift, how far it is lifted, and the time needed to lift the weight. If we can determine these three things then we can calculate the horse power of the wheel and we can calculate the equivalent output as Watts. The wheel also needs some reserve power besides the output power.

Bessler demonstrated all of his wheels by wrapping a rope around the wheel axle and using it to lift weights.

Formulas

-> F is the Force weight in pounds

-> D is Diameter in feet

-> Pi is 3.14159265359

-> RPM is Rotations Per Minute

-> V = Velocity as feet/second

V = D • Pi • RPM / 60

HP = F • V / 550

W = HP • 745.69987

ell = about 22.3 inches

Gera (1st) Wheel lifting weight...

2.5 ell (4.65 ft) diameter wheel

About 60 RPM or more

Unknown Axle size, assume 4 inches.

Several pounds according to Wagner, assume 4 pounds.

V = (4/12) • 3.14159265359 • 60 / 60

V = 62.83185 Feet/Minute / 60

V = 1.047198 Feet/Second

HP = 4 • 1.047198 / 550

HP = 0.0076 Horse Power (about 1/132)

W = 5.68 Watts

Draschwitz (2nd) Wheel lifting weight...

5 ell (9.3 ft) diameter wheel

50 RPM

Unknown Axle size, Scales about 5.6 inches.

40 pounds according to Wagner

V = (5.6/12) • 3.14159265359 • 50 / 60

V = 73.3038 Feet/Minute / 60

V = 1.22173 Feet/Second

HP = 40 • 1.22173 / 550

HP = 0.08885 Horse Power (a little more than 1/11 HP)

W = 66.26 Watts

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Based on revised Merseburg & Kassel wheel power estimates: Draschwitz wheel output power = 15 watts [ovyyus]

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Merseburg (3rd) Wheel lifting weight...

6 ell (11.15 ft) diameter wheel

50 RPM according to Wagner

40 RPM by others

6 Inch Axle or 1/4 ell (5.575 inch)

70 to 80 pounds according to Wagner

V = (6/12) • 3.14159265359 • 50 / 60

V = 78.5398 Feet/Minute / 60

V = 1.30899 Feet/Second

HP = 70 • 1.30899 / 550

HP = 0.1665996 Horse Power (almost 1/6 HP)

W = 124.233 Watts

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Based on Wolff's observation: 60lbs lifted from axle (40RPM) with 4 x lifting reduction: Merseburg wheel output power = 21 Watts [ovyyus]

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Merseburg (3rd) Wheel lifting hammers...

4 Hammers

2 Lifts each hammer

7.8 inches Lift distance (scaled from drawings)

50 RPM according to Wagner

40 RPM by others

3 inch square Hammer size (scaled from drawings)

6.5 foot long (scaled from drawing)

Material is hard wood, assume red oak

Red Oak = 46.8 Lb/Cu.Ft.

Volume is 3 • 3 • 6.5 • 12 = 2100 Cu.In. = 0.406 Cu.Ft.

F = 0.406 • 46.8

F = 19 Lbs. each hammer.

Total Lift each rotation = 7.8 inches • 2 lifts • 4 hammers = 62.4 inches = 5.2 Feet

V = 5.2 feet • 50 RPM = 260 Feet/Minute

V = 4.333 Feet/Second

HP = 19 • 4.333 / 550

HP = 0.149697 Horse Power (almost 1/7 HP)

W = 111.6 Watts at 50 RPM if Wagner's speed is used.

W = 89.3 Watts at 40 RPM.

Kassel (4th) Wheel lifting weight...

6.5 ell (12 ft) diameter wheel

26 RPM

20 RPM driving water pump (Ref.)

RPM lifting weight was said to not slow down

8 Inch Axle

Lifting weight was hundredweight according to Bessler

hundredweight = about 112 Lbs

Using 26 RPM

V = (8/12) • 3.14159265359 • 26 / 60

V = 54.45427 Feet/Minute / 60

V = 0.90757 Feet/Second

HP = 112 • 0.6981317 / 550

HP = 0.1848145 Horse Power (almost 1/5 HP)

W = 137.8 Watts at 26 RPM.

W = 106 Watts at 20 RPM (if wheel slowed down as much as it did with the water pump.)

Kassel (4th) Wheel lifting hammers...

11 inch hammer lift (calculated from drawing)

2 Hammers

2 Lifts each hammer

26 RPM

20 RPM driving water pump

5 inch square Hammer according to Bessler

7 foot long Hammer according to Bessler

8.25 foot long hammer scale length of drawing. (Reference)

Material is hard wood according to Bessler.

Red Oak = 46.8 Lb/Cu.Ft.

Volume is 5 • 5 • 7 • 12 = 2100 Cu.In. = 1.215 Cu.Ft.

F = 1.215 • 46.8

F = 56.875 Lbs. each hammer.

Total Lift each rotation = 11 inches • 2 lifts • 2 hammers = 44 inches = 3.666 Feet

V = 3.666 feet • 26 RPM = 95.333 Feet/Minute

V = 1.5888 Feet/Second

HP = 56.875 • 1.5888 / 550

HP = 0.164306 Horse Power

W = 122.5 Watts at 26 RPM

W = 94.2 Watts at 20 RPM (if wheel slowed down as much as it did with the water pump.)

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Based on described Archimedes screw pump performance & estimates: Kassel wheel output power = 25 Watts [ovyyus]

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