Mechanical Engineering - Hydraulic Machines - Discussion

Breastshot wheels are used where there is a moderate drop in the height of the water. Generally, breastshot wheels are used if there is a drop between 1.8 to 2.4 meters. These waterwheels were particularly important in the Industrial Revolution, and during this time period the wheels tended to be made out of iron. These wheels can be made to be very large to increase their power output.

In this type of waterwheel, water flows onto the wheel about half way up and pushes the blades of the wheel downwards as it falls. The water then continues to flow underneath the wheel, pushing it more as it flows forward.

UNDERSHOT wheel is dipped in lakes where it rotates with the impulse produced by the flowing water.

In case of OVERSHOT wheels they are similar to pelton where it doesnt have designed curved buckets but similar to it. This installed same as pelton wheel where the wheel rotates when water falls in the bucket and the weight of the bucket causes the rotation of wheel. These wheels are used before the modern turbines.

What is undershot water wheel?