What's the use of ancient waterwheels?

1, used for irrigation.

2. Turn the waterwheel at the speed of water flow to drive the machinery to do work, thus driving the stone mill, bellows, etc.

China has been agriculture-oriented since ancient times, and has made remarkable achievements in science and technology related to agriculture. Water conservancy is the most indispensable part of agriculture. Although all previous governments devoted themselves to building water conservancy projects, they mobilized a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources to build irrigation channels and canals.

However, most of these channels are located in major agricultural areas, which obviously cannot take into account highlands or places far away from irrigation channels and water sources. Therefore, the people of China made good use of their wisdom and invented another agricultural tool-waterwheel, which can pump water for irrigation.

The waterwheel looks like an ancient wheel. The wheel width is about 20 meters in diameter, the width of the small wheel is more than 10 meter, and the maximum lifting capacity is 15- 18 meter. The center of the wheel width is a thick shaft with arms crossed, and there is a cross plate twice as many as a barrel. Generally, large waterwheels can irrigate 600-700 mu of farmland, and small waterwheels can irrigate 100-200 mu. The waterwheel is the most advanced irrigation tool in ancient times, which saves labor and money.

Extended data

Development stage of waterwheel

1, the first stage

The waterwheel in China official records did not appear until the Eastern Han Dynasty. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Ling died, and Bilan was ordered to build a "rollover", which already had basic devices such as wheel shafts and trough plates. It is also said that Wei and Ma also had rollover accidents during the Three Kingdoms period. No matter who initiated the rollover, in short, the official rollover from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms can be regarded as the first stage of the establishment of China Waterwheel.

2. The second stage

During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the development of waterwheels made great progress in the application of axles. A "bucket truck" was made with water as power. With the pool and bucket, low water can be transported at high speed. It is not only more effective, but also saves valuable manpower. The waterwheel is of great help to agriculture. This is the second stage of China waterwheel development.

3. The third stage

In the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, the development of wheel shafts was more progressive. A waterwheel has not only one set of gears, but as many as three sets, and it can be used interactively according to local conditions and topography. This development makes the use of flip more effective. Since the invention of rollover in the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, the operation of manpower has been stagnant. At this point, driven by hydraulic power and animal power, the manpower is finally liberated from the rollover pedal.

At the same time, due to the development of rotating shaft, vertical wheel and horizontal wheel, etc. The gondola car, which was originally driven only by water, can make use of animal power and make a contribution even in places where water resources are not very rich. In addition, there is the appearance of "high tumbling drum". Where the terrain is steep and it is impossible to open another pond, it can also be transported and developed in low water. This is the third stage of China waterwheel development. After the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, there were not many outstanding achievements in the development of waterwheels in China.

As can be seen from the above, waterwheels have made great contributions to the agricultural development in China. It greatly lightens the restriction of topography on agriculture and realizes the development of hills and slopes. It is not only used to pump water in drought, but also used to drain water when there is water in the lower part.

Baidu encyclopedia-waterwheel

China net-the story of invention-the evolution history of ancient waterwheels in China (Figure)