Based on Bessler-Wheel, there are lots of experiments with different concepts. Keyword Bessler or Orffyreus will show many publications at web. Mostly these maschines are based on shifting weights, overturn of weights at pendulums or complex constructions with rods and lever arms. None of these maschines is told to run continuously by itself.
Descriptions of original Bessler wheel are rare resp. I do know but two chapters: one at NET-Journal 1997 Nr. 6/7 and one within Schneiders new book (see external links, INET). From this source, also following two pictures are taken (copies of copies, thus but of bad quality).
Water-Lifting-Device
At this picture a cylinder-shaped wheel (a, marks at original picture) is shown, underlined however usage of this maschine is, here lifting water. Via forked spokes (b) at main shaft, a rope will lead to a right-angled ´gear-wheel´ (f). By this, an Archimedes-screw (g) will be turned around, which has bearings (i) one side within a bassin (h) and other side some higher at a post (k). Water of bassin is lifted up, leaving the screw by thick jet, running down again a channal (l) back into the bassin. Left side or main shaft, obvisiously a rope (n) is rolled up and a bucket (o) of water is lifted.
The wheel is beared at posts, their fixing at floor and ceiling is shown in fine details. Function of other parts however, by this picture is but hard to understand. For example, at right side of main shaft there is a stick (c), probably to fix another rope. Very special are these little curved handles at both ends of main shaft, like used at barral organs e.g. for manual drive. However, this heavy wheel won´t be started by small handles, much easier the large wheel would be to turn first times at this wheel itself.
Besides these two posts for bearing the wheel, there are two posts more, also from bottom to ceiling. Between the posts a beam (p) is installed, carefully beared, thus in order to be turned or to swing. Down from this beams will hang rods, one ending behind the water bassin, the other downside is shaped some kind like a spoon. So probably, these constructional elements would show pendulums - strangely enough without any context to other parts.
Crank and pendulum
This second picture does show even more details, one view towards the main shaft and one view cross to main shaft. Obviously this model looks like to be an advanced version.
Clear to see, at main shaft again a rope is rolled on, in order to lift water (upside right) via two redirecting wheels. Opposite, quit left at the main shaft, there is a unit hard to understand. Might be, sticks will fit into holes at four wodden posts, lifting one after the other, falling down like hammers, onto a box pretty well constructed.
Right side at main shaft, again this stick is drawn, but its function also here won´t the picture tell. More stable, here the posts with bearings of main shaft are done. At each other side of these posts, again this tiny little handles are - but now clearly in connection with pendulums! At diverse perspectives, that pendulum-mechanism hangs strangly within space. But now doubt, these pendulums will be important in combination with these handles at both sides of main shaft. Obviously, these handles won´t but be used for starting the system, but will fulfill continuous any functions.
By cross- and longitudinal view as well, one may see the pendulums axis will be parallel to main axis. Right side at this picture, the draftsman probably did draw pendulum some diagonal, in order to show details well. Obviously, pendulums at both sides of wheel will swing counter each other, but at both sides tiny little handles show in horicontal direction. That´s remarkable, cause upside cross-beams of all pendulums do show nearby same angles.
Parts and relations
In order to analyse this complex pendulum mechanism, I did this drawing EVBER 01. Its based on original pictures above, will show all parts visible there, in addition their lenght is marked (in mm of these pictures). Following, I will try to show connections and functions of these parts. If anyone might have better material or descriptions resp. interpretations about this stuff, I would be glad to get knowledge.
Bessler-wheel (BR, German Bessler-Rad, green dotted circle) will be turnable around system axis (SA). Vertical above system axis (in pictures 18 mm upside), bearing of pendulum (PL, German Pendellager) will be, around which thus pendulum will be allowed to swing. This pendulum at first will have a vertical pendulum arm (VP) and second a horicontal pendulum arm (HP) of same length. Both arms are right-angled towards each other, fixed by a connecting-beam (VS, German Verbindungsstrebe).
At downside end of vertical pendulum arm a weight (VM, vertical masse) is fixed, like at every normal pendulum. Special however will be, masse-weights (HM) are also installed at both ends of horicontal pendulum arm. When the pendulum will swing, lever arm (in relation to pendulum bearing) of both weights will be same all times. These weights thus may but have the function, to make pendulum swinging more ´sluggish´ resp. inert.
If this pendulum shall swing steady, it must have some input for compensation of friction. This input might happen by falling-down of weights within the Bessler-wheel. Best phase for input would be, when vertical pendulum weight falling down too. This input must also compensate inertia of both (resting) horicontal weights. Opposite, these inertia-forces of horicontal pendulum weights (now in motion) will effect long swinging out of pendulum mechanism at other side - even vertical pendulum weight should have to lift weights within Bessler-wheel.
Crank gear
Turnable around system axis also tiny little handles will be. Excentrity of this crank-shaft (KS, German Kurbelstange) is rather short. At its end, a crank-bearing (KG, German Kurbelgelenk) must be build. By this bearing, moveable joint will be this short crank-rod with the large connecting-rod (PS, German Pleuelstange), which will reach up above horicontal pendulum arm.
This connecting-rod, also upside must show a connecting-bearing (PG, German Pleuelgelenk). Moveable joint by this bearing will be this large connecting-rod with a short part, here called pendulum-rod (PH, German Pendelhebel). This pendulum-rod will be connection between crank-gear (inclusive conneting-rod) and pendulum itself.
Unfortunately the original pictures don´t tell, whether this short pendulum-rod will be connected with horicontal (HP) pendulum arm and / or vertical pendulum arm (VP) fix or turnable. I suggest, it will be a ´soft´ connection. If this connection would be ´hard´, pendulums movements would be transferred direct into turning motions of small handle. Distances of motions at time-units, however are differing, thus either pendulum or handle would have to move partly very abrupt. By ´soft´ connection, tensions within matrial would be reduced, both components would move coordinated, but wouldn´t have to move synchonously.
That´s why I did mark here a rod-bearing (HG, German Hebelgelenk), by which short pendulum-rod (PH) is joint movabel with vertical pendulum-arm (VP). This rod-bearing will do rather short distance while pendulum will swing from one side to the other (at original pictures some 2 mm). Via this rod-system, corresponding turning of small handle will be variabel, but from pendulums dead-point to dead-point swinging, also this handle has to walk same distance.
Swing or turn
Unfortunately the original pictures doesn´t tell, this pendulum-distance would be maximum, resp. the positions shown would be extreme. If pendulum-positions shown would each show dead-point situations, tiny little handle would swing by 90 degrees at maximum. If however these drawing do show but middle situations, the small handles could make complete turnings around system axis.
I do suggest, the positions at drawings will show maximum situations (and same time resting positions of system). Essential advantage of pendulums is, they are able to build up swinging motions or (as probably here) to stabilize a process. At the one hand, this is here asked at starting-phase of system, on the other hand at changing charges of system.
If opposite, this handle would make full turnings, just by starting the system, immediately the pendulum must show outmost swinging motions. Swinging also might never be reduced, cause otherwise whole system would stop immediately. That´s not what pendulums are thought for.
By these conciderations, I do assume this pendulum mechanism will make tiny little handle but swing ahead and back. At chapter above, Pendulum - Control we got to know, advantageous motion-tracks can be achieved by swinging control movements. These 90 degrees swinging, mostly are not neccessary, smaller distances resp. degrees will do. Comparably, that Würth-Swing-System mentioned above will show effects by but some few degrees of control motions.
Comments wanted
This is provisional result of my analyses of available material to Bessler-wheel. As mentioned above, I would be glad, if anyone could tell me about better pictures, descriptions or interpretations to this historic maschine. Thanks in advance.
Following chapter Bessler - Wheel will try to deduce (probably) real concept of Bessler-maschine, based at control by this pendulum mechanism.
Evert / 05.12.2000