WaterTread is an open, tread-based hydrodynamic energy conversion system designed to harvest kinetic energy from flowing water using a controlled, blade-driven linear motion instead of a traditional rotating turbine.
The system is optimized for low- to moderate-flow environments and emphasizes simplicity, scalability, and containerized deployment.
Unlike conventional hydrokinetic turbines, WaterTread uses a dual-tread mechanism with actively oriented blades that engage the water flow over an extended linear capture path.
Key principles:
- Multiple blades are engaged simultaneously
- Blades operate in alternating high-drag (capture) and low-drag (return) states
- Motion is driven purely by hydrodynamic forces
- Torque delivery is smooth and continuous
- Mechanical simplicity enables modular scaling
This approach reduces return-path losses and improves blade utilization compared to point-based rotating systems.
- Linear tread-based energy capture (non-rotor design)
- Actively controlled blade orientation using cams and followers
- High torque output at low flow velocities
- Low-drag, protected return path
- Modular and scalable architecture
- Designed to fit within standard ISO shipping containers
- Suitable for rivers, channels, and low-head flow environments
docs/ Technical documentation (GitHub Pages)
models/ 3D models and mechanical designs
- prototype/ Early prototype models
- 1.0/ Versioned production-ready designs
parts/ Parts lists and component specifications
images/ Diagrams, renders, and reference images
LICENSE Non-commercial open license
COMMERCIAL.md Commercial licensing terms
README.md This file
This project is released under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license.
You are free to:
- Study and experiment with the design
- Build non-commercial prototypes
- Modify and improve the design
- Share derivative works under the same license
Commercial use is not permitted under this license.
Any commercial use — including manufacturing, deployment for power generation, or integration into commercial products — requires a separate license.
Commercial licensing is intentionally designed to be flexible, accessible, and affordable.
Royalty-based licenses are expected to be modest and competitive, often capped around approximately 1% of generated revenue, depending on project scope.
See COMMERCIAL.md for details.
WaterTread is currently in an active design and prototyping phase.
- Mechanical concepts validated at prototype scale
- Detailed component documentation in progress
- Versioned 3D models under development
- Contributions and feedback are welcome
Contributions are welcome in the form of:
- Design feedback and reviews
- Mechanical or hydrodynamic improvements
- Simulation and analysis
- Documentation improvements
- Prototype testing insights
Please respect the non-commercial license terms when contributing.
This project is provided as-is, without warranty of any kind. The author assumes no liability for the use, modification, or deployment of the design.
For questions, collaboration, or commercial licensing inquiries:
Project Maintainer: Keijo Mukku keijo.mukku@gmail.com
Early-stage pilots, research collaborations, and first commercial deployments are especially welcome.