CA2647773A1 - Multiple augmented turbine assembly - Google Patents
Multiple augmented turbine assembly Download PDFInfo
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- CA2647773A1 CA2647773A1 CA2647773A CA2647773A CA2647773A1 CA 2647773 A1 CA2647773 A1 CA 2647773A1 CA 2647773 A CA2647773 A CA 2647773A CA 2647773 A CA2647773 A CA 2647773A CA 2647773 A1 CA2647773 A1 CA 2647773A1
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- Prior art keywords
- turbine
- turbines
- rotor
- augmented
- assembly
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/08—Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor, e.g. diffusors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
- F05B2240/133—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2250/00—Geometry
- F05B2250/50—Inlet or outlet
- F05B2250/501—Inlet
- F05B2250/5011—Inlet augmenting, i.e. with intercepting fluid flow cross sectional area greater than the rest of the machine behind the inlet
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2250/00—Geometry
- F05B2250/50—Inlet or outlet
- F05B2250/502—Outlet
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2250/00—Geometry
- F05B2250/70—Shape
- F05B2250/71—Shape curved
- F05B2250/711—Shape curved convex
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention also relates to water turbines and more specifically to a turbine assembly consisting of a frame positioning multiple in-line augmented turbines to accommodate the feeding and discharge of a single water stream originating from a reservoir providing hydrostatic head to the stream. The turbines are fed through one or more orifices located on the top of the first turbine in the series and is discharged by one or more orifices located after the discharge from the last turbine. The drop in hydrostatic head between the feed and discharge points is shared between all the turbines. The present invention also relates to a single stand-alone augmented turbine wherein all the drop in hydrostatic head between the reservoir and the turbine discharge occurs over the one turbine.
Description
MULTIPLE AUGMENTED TURBINE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to water turbines. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multiple augmented turbine assembly. The present invention also relates to a modular augmented turbine which can be used in a multiple in-line augmented turbine assembly and a multiple parallel flow augmented turbine assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present art for generating hydro-electricity is based on building dams that create a reservoir on the upstream side. The height of the reservoir corresponds to the hydrostatic pressure available at the rotor blades of the turbine generator.
This technique of building dams to increase the hydrostatic pressure of a water stream has been used for centuries. It is only since the invention of electrical power that turbine-generators were invented to convert the hydrostatic pressure of the enclosed water stream flowing from the reservoir into force applied to the rotor of a turbine-generator. Presently, depending upon the value of the maximum hydrostatic head available one of three different but very common types of turbine are employed to generate power. These three types include the Kaplan turbine for low heads, the Francis turbine for medium heads and the Pelton turbine for high hydraulic heads. The accepted practice is to install these turbines in parallel and not in series.
The turbine generators are located at the base of the dam in order to have the highest static pressure or hydrostatic head possible. The amount of power produced by the generator is proportional to the hydraulic head. At a constant flow rate, the higher the head the more power will be produced. The requirement for high head for producing large amounts of power is well illustrated by the high heights of well known large generating stations such as the Hoover dam, Three-Gorges dam, Niagara Falls and Manic 5.
At the face of the turbine blades the hydrostatic head of the fluid stream is converted into kinetic energy or velocity pressure and it is the kinetic energy of the water stream that rotates the turbine blades. As such, the essential element required at the turbine rotor is not specifically the static pressure of the stream ahead of the rotor but its conversion to velocity pressure by connecting the fluid stream to a discharge point of lower hydrostatic pressure. This lower pressure is normally atmospheric pressure. As will be discussed later, an innovation that could increase the velocity pressure of the fluid stream above that which can be obtained by placing the rotor in a stream flowing from a condition of high head to lower head would have the same effect on increasing the power output as obtained by increasing the difference in static pressure between the feed and discharge points.
To date, the accepted practice for increasing the velocity pressure has been simply to increase the height of the reservoirs with the corresponding increase in hydrostatic pressure between the suction and discharge points of the turbines.
The hydro-electricity generated by a turbine-generator obeys several simple rules:
1) P(available) = h X f X g where P is the power available in kW, h is equal to the head in meters, f is the flow in m3/s and g or gravitational acceleration is 9.81 m/s2 . The P is then multiplied by the system efficiency to obtain the net power produced.
2) h = v2/2g where h the head is in meters, v the velocity is in m/s and g the acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s2.
The above formulas confirm three effects, namely:
1) that an increase in the velocity of the fluid by a factor of 5 will require an increase in the hydrostatic head by a factor of 25, 2) that an increase in the head by a factor of 25 will increase the power available by a factor of 25, and 3) that an increase in the velocity by a factor of 5 will increase the power produced by a factor of 25 or simply that any increase in the velocity of the fluid will increase the power produced by a factor of the velocity increase squared.
As mentioned earlier the accepted technique for increasing the velocity of the water in a hydro-electric turbine is to increase the head by the construction as high as possible of dams and their corresponding reservoirs. Obviously this leads to flooding over the area covered by the reservoir. Hydro-electric projects involving the construction of dams and the flooding of territory are no longer accepted as being green or environmentally friendly. Another disadvantage of very high heads for hydro-power generation is that the peripheral speed of the turbine blades are limited by cavitation. Cavitation is a function of the speed of the fluid, the vapour pressure of the liquid, the geometry of the flow channel and the peripheral speed of the turbine blades.
Consequently, by operating at higher heads, the speed of the fluid increases as do the problems of cavitation at the turbine blades. As a result, hydraulic turbines are carefully designed for specific speeds at high hydrostatic heads. As the turbines become larger to decrease their number and the capital cost of the project it is not uncommon to experience design problems that are related to stress and to cavitation. Therefore it would be a great advantage if one design of turbine could be suitable for low, medium and high head applications.
A technology that addresses the above difficulties would greatly improve overall turbine efficiency and decrease the production costs for electricity.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can use the same turbine design for low, medium and high hydrostatic head applications.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to water turbines. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multiple augmented turbine assembly. The present invention also relates to a modular augmented turbine which can be used in a multiple in-line augmented turbine assembly and a multiple parallel flow augmented turbine assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present art for generating hydro-electricity is based on building dams that create a reservoir on the upstream side. The height of the reservoir corresponds to the hydrostatic pressure available at the rotor blades of the turbine generator.
This technique of building dams to increase the hydrostatic pressure of a water stream has been used for centuries. It is only since the invention of electrical power that turbine-generators were invented to convert the hydrostatic pressure of the enclosed water stream flowing from the reservoir into force applied to the rotor of a turbine-generator. Presently, depending upon the value of the maximum hydrostatic head available one of three different but very common types of turbine are employed to generate power. These three types include the Kaplan turbine for low heads, the Francis turbine for medium heads and the Pelton turbine for high hydraulic heads. The accepted practice is to install these turbines in parallel and not in series.
The turbine generators are located at the base of the dam in order to have the highest static pressure or hydrostatic head possible. The amount of power produced by the generator is proportional to the hydraulic head. At a constant flow rate, the higher the head the more power will be produced. The requirement for high head for producing large amounts of power is well illustrated by the high heights of well known large generating stations such as the Hoover dam, Three-Gorges dam, Niagara Falls and Manic 5.
At the face of the turbine blades the hydrostatic head of the fluid stream is converted into kinetic energy or velocity pressure and it is the kinetic energy of the water stream that rotates the turbine blades. As such, the essential element required at the turbine rotor is not specifically the static pressure of the stream ahead of the rotor but its conversion to velocity pressure by connecting the fluid stream to a discharge point of lower hydrostatic pressure. This lower pressure is normally atmospheric pressure. As will be discussed later, an innovation that could increase the velocity pressure of the fluid stream above that which can be obtained by placing the rotor in a stream flowing from a condition of high head to lower head would have the same effect on increasing the power output as obtained by increasing the difference in static pressure between the feed and discharge points.
To date, the accepted practice for increasing the velocity pressure has been simply to increase the height of the reservoirs with the corresponding increase in hydrostatic pressure between the suction and discharge points of the turbines.
The hydro-electricity generated by a turbine-generator obeys several simple rules:
1) P(available) = h X f X g where P is the power available in kW, h is equal to the head in meters, f is the flow in m3/s and g or gravitational acceleration is 9.81 m/s2 . The P is then multiplied by the system efficiency to obtain the net power produced.
2) h = v2/2g where h the head is in meters, v the velocity is in m/s and g the acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s2.
The above formulas confirm three effects, namely:
1) that an increase in the velocity of the fluid by a factor of 5 will require an increase in the hydrostatic head by a factor of 25, 2) that an increase in the head by a factor of 25 will increase the power available by a factor of 25, and 3) that an increase in the velocity by a factor of 5 will increase the power produced by a factor of 25 or simply that any increase in the velocity of the fluid will increase the power produced by a factor of the velocity increase squared.
As mentioned earlier the accepted technique for increasing the velocity of the water in a hydro-electric turbine is to increase the head by the construction as high as possible of dams and their corresponding reservoirs. Obviously this leads to flooding over the area covered by the reservoir. Hydro-electric projects involving the construction of dams and the flooding of territory are no longer accepted as being green or environmentally friendly. Another disadvantage of very high heads for hydro-power generation is that the peripheral speed of the turbine blades are limited by cavitation. Cavitation is a function of the speed of the fluid, the vapour pressure of the liquid, the geometry of the flow channel and the peripheral speed of the turbine blades.
Consequently, by operating at higher heads, the speed of the fluid increases as do the problems of cavitation at the turbine blades. As a result, hydraulic turbines are carefully designed for specific speeds at high hydrostatic heads. As the turbines become larger to decrease their number and the capital cost of the project it is not uncommon to experience design problems that are related to stress and to cavitation. Therefore it would be a great advantage if one design of turbine could be suitable for low, medium and high head applications.
A technology that addresses the above difficulties would greatly improve overall turbine efficiency and decrease the production costs for electricity.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can use the same turbine design for low, medium and high hydrostatic head applications.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can divide a high hydrostatic pressure between multiple in-line turbines, the lower hydrostatic pressure permitting an increase in the velocity pressure by other means than the difference between the static pressure of the reservoir and the discharge pressure.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can accommodate an independent augmentation device at each turbine. The proposed augmentation device being convergent and divergent nozzles sized to maximise the velocity pressure at the face of the rotor blades of each turbine.
There is a need for an apparatus whereby the pitch angle of each turbine rotor can be optimised to extract the maximum power at various flow rates.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can produce competitive power using much lower hydraulic heads. The capital and environmental costs are considerably lower for the construction of 5 generating stations with reservoirs of 4 meters in height rather than one station with one reservoir of 20 meters in height.
There is a need for a new generation of turbine equipment that can operate efficiently at lower heads in order to minimise the areas flooded and negative environmental impact caused by large reservoirs.
There is a need for an apparatus that can maximise the conversion of static pressure to kinetic energy over the rotor of each turbine element.
There is a need for a new generation of hydro-turbines that can augment the velocity pressure of the water over the turbine rotors and replace the existing turbine technology based simply on hydrostatic head. This new turbine should produce much more power per unit of flow and head available and the increase in power will reduce production costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a turbine assembly that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can accommodate an independent augmentation device at each turbine. The proposed augmentation device being convergent and divergent nozzles sized to maximise the velocity pressure at the face of the rotor blades of each turbine.
There is a need for an apparatus whereby the pitch angle of each turbine rotor can be optimised to extract the maximum power at various flow rates.
There is a need for a turbine assembly that can produce competitive power using much lower hydraulic heads. The capital and environmental costs are considerably lower for the construction of 5 generating stations with reservoirs of 4 meters in height rather than one station with one reservoir of 20 meters in height.
There is a need for a new generation of turbine equipment that can operate efficiently at lower heads in order to minimise the areas flooded and negative environmental impact caused by large reservoirs.
There is a need for an apparatus that can maximise the conversion of static pressure to kinetic energy over the rotor of each turbine element.
There is a need for a new generation of hydro-turbines that can augment the velocity pressure of the water over the turbine rotors and replace the existing turbine technology based simply on hydrostatic head. This new turbine should produce much more power per unit of flow and head available and the increase in power will reduce production costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a turbine assembly that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.
According to the present invention, there is provided a modular augmented turbine comprising:
-an external housing;
-an inlet;
-an outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, the rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the inlet;
and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to a further external housing of a further modular augmented turbine.
The present invention also provides an assembly of multiple augmented turbines for generating power from a fluid stream originating from a reservoir having a hydrostatic head, the assembly comprising:
-a frame;
-a plurality of modular augmented turbines held together by the frame, each of the modular augmented turbines comprising:
-an external housing;
-a turbine inlet;
-a turbine outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, the rotor comprising:
-an external housing;
-an inlet;
-an outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, the rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the inlet;
and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to a further external housing of a further modular augmented turbine.
The present invention also provides an assembly of multiple augmented turbines for generating power from a fluid stream originating from a reservoir having a hydrostatic head, the assembly comprising:
-a frame;
-a plurality of modular augmented turbines held together by the frame, each of the modular augmented turbines comprising:
-an external housing;
-a turbine inlet;
-a turbine outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, the rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the turbine inlet; and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the turbine outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent external housing of an adjacent modular augmented turbine;
-at least one assembly inlet connected to a highest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines;
-at least one discharge outlet connected to a lowest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere;
wherein each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines comprises an upstream turbine and a downstream turbine, the downstream turbine being lower with respect to the upstream turbine, the turbine inlet of the downstream turbine is connected to the turbine outlet of the upstream turbine such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession, and the at least one assembly inlet is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
The present invention also provides a plurality of in-line augmented turbines mounted on a frame comprising:
-a frame that supports the plurality of turbines whereby each turbine is located lower than the turbine preceding it and the highest turbine is located lower than the maximum available hydrostatic head, -inlet or inlets connecting to the turbines at various heights along the top or upper section of the frame, -bottom mounted discharge or discharges to atmosphere situated in lowest section of the frame, below the lowest turbine, -a plurality of augmented turbines each equipped with a convergent and divergent configuration mounted such that the discharge of the first turbine becomes a gravity feed stream to the next and subsequent turbines and the flow is channeled to pass through each turbine in succession, wherein a flow stream from a reservoir with a hydrostatic head is directed to a turbine inlet below the elevation of the said hydrostatic head and the rate of flow is controlled by an adjustable orifice at the discharge located after the discharge of the lowest turbine.
The present invention also relates to water turbines and more specifically to a turbine assembly consisting of a frame positioning multiple in-line augmented turbines to accommodate the feeding and discharge of a single water stream originating from a reservoir providing hydrostatic head to the stream. The turbines are fed through one or more orifices located on the top of the first turbine in the series and is discharged by one or more orifices located after the discharge from the last turbine. The drop in hydrostatic head between the feed and discharge points is shared between all the turbines. The present invention also relates to a single stand-alone augmented turbine wherein all the drop in hydrostatic head between the reservoir and the turbine discharge occurs over the one turbine.
The present invention also provides a plurality of single stand-alone augmented turbines that may be positioned in parallel along the downstream face of a horizontally or vertically positioned frame. The frame may be fully or partially submerged and the attachment of the turbines to the downstream face keeps the turbines parallel to the direction of flow. In this context, a frame is understood to also include a dam structure for example.
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the turbine inlet; and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the turbine outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent external housing of an adjacent modular augmented turbine;
-at least one assembly inlet connected to a highest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines;
-at least one discharge outlet connected to a lowest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere;
wherein each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines comprises an upstream turbine and a downstream turbine, the downstream turbine being lower with respect to the upstream turbine, the turbine inlet of the downstream turbine is connected to the turbine outlet of the upstream turbine such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession, and the at least one assembly inlet is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
The present invention also provides a plurality of in-line augmented turbines mounted on a frame comprising:
-a frame that supports the plurality of turbines whereby each turbine is located lower than the turbine preceding it and the highest turbine is located lower than the maximum available hydrostatic head, -inlet or inlets connecting to the turbines at various heights along the top or upper section of the frame, -bottom mounted discharge or discharges to atmosphere situated in lowest section of the frame, below the lowest turbine, -a plurality of augmented turbines each equipped with a convergent and divergent configuration mounted such that the discharge of the first turbine becomes a gravity feed stream to the next and subsequent turbines and the flow is channeled to pass through each turbine in succession, wherein a flow stream from a reservoir with a hydrostatic head is directed to a turbine inlet below the elevation of the said hydrostatic head and the rate of flow is controlled by an adjustable orifice at the discharge located after the discharge of the lowest turbine.
The present invention also relates to water turbines and more specifically to a turbine assembly consisting of a frame positioning multiple in-line augmented turbines to accommodate the feeding and discharge of a single water stream originating from a reservoir providing hydrostatic head to the stream. The turbines are fed through one or more orifices located on the top of the first turbine in the series and is discharged by one or more orifices located after the discharge from the last turbine. The drop in hydrostatic head between the feed and discharge points is shared between all the turbines. The present invention also relates to a single stand-alone augmented turbine wherein all the drop in hydrostatic head between the reservoir and the turbine discharge occurs over the one turbine.
The present invention also provides a plurality of single stand-alone augmented turbines that may be positioned in parallel along the downstream face of a horizontally or vertically positioned frame. The frame may be fully or partially submerged and the attachment of the turbines to the downstream face keeps the turbines parallel to the direction of flow. In this context, a frame is understood to also include a dam structure for example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
Figures 1A and 1B are front and side views respectively of a turbine assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top cut view of two adjacent turbines of the turbine assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1 B.
Figures 3A to 3C are a top cut view and two sectional views respectively of adjacent turbines of the turbine assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1 B.
Figures 4A and 4B are front and side views respectively of a turbine assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although the invention is described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
As better shown in Figure 2, a modular augmented turbine 10 is provided in accordance with the present invention. The turbine 10 comprises an external housing 12, an inlet 14, an outlet 16, and a rotor 18 housed within the external housing 12. The rotor 18 comprises a hub structure 20 having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine 10, a plurality of turbine blades 22 extending radially from the hub structure 20, and an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades 22. The turbine 10 also comprises a convergent nozzle 26 for directing fluid entering the rotor 18 from the inlet and a divergent nozzle 28 for directing fluid exiting the rotor 18 to the outlet 16.
A
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
Figures 1A and 1B are front and side views respectively of a turbine assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top cut view of two adjacent turbines of the turbine assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1 B.
Figures 3A to 3C are a top cut view and two sectional views respectively of adjacent turbines of the turbine assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1 B.
Figures 4A and 4B are front and side views respectively of a turbine assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although the invention is described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
As better shown in Figure 2, a modular augmented turbine 10 is provided in accordance with the present invention. The turbine 10 comprises an external housing 12, an inlet 14, an outlet 16, and a rotor 18 housed within the external housing 12. The rotor 18 comprises a hub structure 20 having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine 10, a plurality of turbine blades 22 extending radially from the hub structure 20, and an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades 22. The turbine 10 also comprises a convergent nozzle 26 for directing fluid entering the rotor 18 from the inlet and a divergent nozzle 28 for directing fluid exiting the rotor 18 to the outlet 16.
A
deflecting structure 30 may also optionally be provided to facilitate the redirection of fluid to the outlet 16 and to reduce any stalling. The turbine blades 22 are held between the hub structure 20 and the annular shroud 24. The external housing 12 comprises connections 32 for connecting to a further external housing 12' of a further modular augmented turbine 10'.
Preferably, the turbine 10 further comprises a turbine blade pitch angle adjustment system for selectively adjusting a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades 22.
Preferably, the turbine 10 further comprises a directing system 34 mounted over the hub structure 20 for directing fluid entering the turbine towards the plurality of turbine blades 22.
As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, according to the present invention, there is provided an assembly 50 of multiple augmented turbines 10 for generating power from a fluid stream originating from a reservoir 52 having a hydrostatic head.
The assembly 50 comprises a frame 54 and a plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 held together by the frame 54, each of the modular augmented turbines 10 comprising the elements as described above. The assembly 50 also comprises at least one assembly inlet 56 connected to a highest turbine 10A of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines 10. The assembly 50 also comprises at least one discharge outlet 58 connected to a lowest turbine 10B of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines 10 and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere. As shown in Figures 2 and 3A to 3C, each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 comprises an upstream turbine 10 and a downstream turbine 10'. The downstream turbine 10' is lower with respect to the upstream turbine 10. The downstream turbine 10' may be offset lower or directly beneath the upstream turbine 10. The turbine inlet 14' of the downstream turbine 10' is connected to the turbine outlet 16 of the upstream turbine 10 such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession. The at least one assembly inlet 56A is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, a plurality of assembly inlets 56 connecting to 5 corresponding selected ones of the plurality of turbines 10 at various heights along an upper section of the frame 54.
Preferably, the assembly 50 further comprises an adjustable valve system 60 located proximate the at least one discharge outlet 58 for controlling a rate of fluid 10 flow through the assembly 50.
Preferably, the convergent 26 and divergent 28 nozzles of the plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 are rectangular in cross-section and a width of the cross-section is greater than a height of the cross-section.
Preferably, in another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 4A
and 4B, the discharge outlet is submerged downstream of the reservoir 52. In Figure 4A, the upstream water level 70 and the downstream water level 72 are shown. This creates a "drop-leg" effect and increases the total hydrostatic head available. It is to be noted that in Figure 4A, other turbines may be placed in parallel behind or below the turbine shown in the figure for various other applications.
Alternately, the turbine assembly according to the present invention can also be used to harvest energy from tides.
In another embodiment of the invention, the frame 54 is preferably sealedly enclosed and forms a connection between the upstream turbine 10 and the downstream turbine 10' of the each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines.
Preferably, the turbine 10 further comprises a turbine blade pitch angle adjustment system for selectively adjusting a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades 22.
Preferably, the turbine 10 further comprises a directing system 34 mounted over the hub structure 20 for directing fluid entering the turbine towards the plurality of turbine blades 22.
As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, according to the present invention, there is provided an assembly 50 of multiple augmented turbines 10 for generating power from a fluid stream originating from a reservoir 52 having a hydrostatic head.
The assembly 50 comprises a frame 54 and a plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 held together by the frame 54, each of the modular augmented turbines 10 comprising the elements as described above. The assembly 50 also comprises at least one assembly inlet 56 connected to a highest turbine 10A of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines 10. The assembly 50 also comprises at least one discharge outlet 58 connected to a lowest turbine 10B of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines 10 and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere. As shown in Figures 2 and 3A to 3C, each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 comprises an upstream turbine 10 and a downstream turbine 10'. The downstream turbine 10' is lower with respect to the upstream turbine 10. The downstream turbine 10' may be offset lower or directly beneath the upstream turbine 10. The turbine inlet 14' of the downstream turbine 10' is connected to the turbine outlet 16 of the upstream turbine 10 such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession. The at least one assembly inlet 56A is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, a plurality of assembly inlets 56 connecting to 5 corresponding selected ones of the plurality of turbines 10 at various heights along an upper section of the frame 54.
Preferably, the assembly 50 further comprises an adjustable valve system 60 located proximate the at least one discharge outlet 58 for controlling a rate of fluid 10 flow through the assembly 50.
Preferably, the convergent 26 and divergent 28 nozzles of the plurality of modular augmented turbines 10 are rectangular in cross-section and a width of the cross-section is greater than a height of the cross-section.
Preferably, in another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 4A
and 4B, the discharge outlet is submerged downstream of the reservoir 52. In Figure 4A, the upstream water level 70 and the downstream water level 72 are shown. This creates a "drop-leg" effect and increases the total hydrostatic head available. It is to be noted that in Figure 4A, other turbines may be placed in parallel behind or below the turbine shown in the figure for various other applications.
Alternately, the turbine assembly according to the present invention can also be used to harvest energy from tides.
In another embodiment of the invention, the frame 54 is preferably sealedly enclosed and forms a connection between the upstream turbine 10 and the downstream turbine 10' of the each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines.
Preferably, a structure of the frame is made from a material selected from the group consisting of concrete and steel.
In cold climates, the assembly is preferably housed and enclosed within a larger building.
The technique employed for increasing the velocity head at any given static pressure is to convert more of the energy from the available static energy at the entrance to the turbine throat. This technique will be referred to as augmentation and its performance is highly dependent upon the configuration of both the upstream and downstream geometry and configuration. Augmentation effects are easily detected as the velocity of the stream after it has left the reservoir increases and the velocity of the steam after passing through the rotor decreases further and then increases. These variations in velocity pressure are accompanied by corresponding changes in the stream static pressure. The aforementioned changes in the conditions of the fluid stream can be obtained by the application of an integrated convergent-divergent upstream and downstream of the turbine.
The conversion of static pressure into velocity pressure is highly beneficial to increasing the production of power as it is the velocity pressure that imparts force to the face of the turbine blades. In order to limit the velocity pressure achieved by an efficient convergent-divergent it is necessary to limit the static pressure drop over each turbine. When both static pressure and augmentation are intervening in the same liquid stream the two effects are always additional.
Augmentation techniques multiply the effect of the conversion of static pressure to velocity. High heads that produce high velocities can produce significantly higher velocities if augmentation is added.
The approach adopted to limit the static head is to install several turbines in series and share the total drop in static head between the turbines. Assuming a limit of 4 meters as the maximum desirable head drop over a turbine would lead to 10 turbines assemblies being installed in-line to produce power from a 40 meter high water reservoir. The design philosophy is then to design a standard turbine for a fixed static pressure drop and to increase or decrease the number of turbines as the hydraulic head of the application increases or decreases. As such the same turbine can be used for low medium and high hydrostatic heads and rather than use a Kaplan, Francis or Pelton turbines for various applications only one standard design of turbine is used.
The in-line turbines can be fed at the maximum hydrostatic head through a connection at the base of the dam. This is achieved by locating the turbines at the same elevation and as low as possible. However the length of the frame supporting the turbines can be considerable for large hydrostatic heads and multiple turbines. As such it is preferable to arrange the turbines one higher than another in a single vertical stacking or multiple columnar stacking, and feed either from the top down or the bottom up. The top or bottom, or any point therebetween, of the reservoir is connected to a standpipe and the standpipe is connected to the entrance of the turbines at various elevations. In both situations of top or bottom feed, as the head of the reservoir increases or decreases, the number of turbines in operation will significantly increase or decrease. The objective is to keep the turbines operating at steady conditions with relatively equal static pressure drops over the rotors.
By dividing or sharing the hydrostatic head between several units the velocity head can be increased without reaching the high velocity pressures experienced if the entire hydrostatic pressure of the reservoir was absorbed by a single turbine.
The use of augmentation from convergent-divergent nozzles is absolutely necessary to increase the velocity pressure above that which can be obtained by converting static head into velocity pressure by flow through pipe with different static pressures.
In cold climates, the assembly is preferably housed and enclosed within a larger building.
The technique employed for increasing the velocity head at any given static pressure is to convert more of the energy from the available static energy at the entrance to the turbine throat. This technique will be referred to as augmentation and its performance is highly dependent upon the configuration of both the upstream and downstream geometry and configuration. Augmentation effects are easily detected as the velocity of the stream after it has left the reservoir increases and the velocity of the steam after passing through the rotor decreases further and then increases. These variations in velocity pressure are accompanied by corresponding changes in the stream static pressure. The aforementioned changes in the conditions of the fluid stream can be obtained by the application of an integrated convergent-divergent upstream and downstream of the turbine.
The conversion of static pressure into velocity pressure is highly beneficial to increasing the production of power as it is the velocity pressure that imparts force to the face of the turbine blades. In order to limit the velocity pressure achieved by an efficient convergent-divergent it is necessary to limit the static pressure drop over each turbine. When both static pressure and augmentation are intervening in the same liquid stream the two effects are always additional.
Augmentation techniques multiply the effect of the conversion of static pressure to velocity. High heads that produce high velocities can produce significantly higher velocities if augmentation is added.
The approach adopted to limit the static head is to install several turbines in series and share the total drop in static head between the turbines. Assuming a limit of 4 meters as the maximum desirable head drop over a turbine would lead to 10 turbines assemblies being installed in-line to produce power from a 40 meter high water reservoir. The design philosophy is then to design a standard turbine for a fixed static pressure drop and to increase or decrease the number of turbines as the hydraulic head of the application increases or decreases. As such the same turbine can be used for low medium and high hydrostatic heads and rather than use a Kaplan, Francis or Pelton turbines for various applications only one standard design of turbine is used.
The in-line turbines can be fed at the maximum hydrostatic head through a connection at the base of the dam. This is achieved by locating the turbines at the same elevation and as low as possible. However the length of the frame supporting the turbines can be considerable for large hydrostatic heads and multiple turbines. As such it is preferable to arrange the turbines one higher than another in a single vertical stacking or multiple columnar stacking, and feed either from the top down or the bottom up. The top or bottom, or any point therebetween, of the reservoir is connected to a standpipe and the standpipe is connected to the entrance of the turbines at various elevations. In both situations of top or bottom feed, as the head of the reservoir increases or decreases, the number of turbines in operation will significantly increase or decrease. The objective is to keep the turbines operating at steady conditions with relatively equal static pressure drops over the rotors.
By dividing or sharing the hydrostatic head between several units the velocity head can be increased without reaching the high velocity pressures experienced if the entire hydrostatic pressure of the reservoir was absorbed by a single turbine.
The use of augmentation from convergent-divergent nozzles is absolutely necessary to increase the velocity pressure above that which can be obtained by converting static head into velocity pressure by flow through pipe with different static pressures.
The parameters used to compare the convergent section and the divergent section are the first ratio, the second ratio and the third ratio. The first ratio is the ratio of the entry area over the exit area of the convergent section. The second ratio is the ratio of the exit area over the entry area of the divergent section. The third ratio is the ratio of the exit area of the divergent section over the entry area of the convergent section. There are also preferable ratios concerning the length of the convergent section and of the divergent section, which are the fourth ratio and the fifth ratio. The fourth ratio is the ratio of the length of the convergent section over the largest of the width or the height of the convergent section.
The fifth ratio is the ratio of the length of the divergent section over the width of the divergent section.
It has been determined that the first ratio is preferably higher than 1.5 and more preferably higher than 2.25. It is important to get a pressure differential between the entry of the convergent section and the entry of the water turbine in order to maximize the Venturi effect created.
It has been determined that the second ratio is preferably higher than 4Ø It has been determined that the third ratio is preferably between 1.5 and 10, and more preferably between 1.5 and 6.5.
It has been determined that the fourth ratio is preferably between 0.5 and 2.5.
The fifth ratio is preferably between 1.0 and 4Ø The length of the divergent section is preferably longer than the length of the convergent section.
In a preferred embodiment, the convergent shape is given by the Borger theory as well as the inflexion point and the length in order to minimise the loss head and make uniform the velocity profile at the convergent exit.
The shape of the cross-section of the different sections may vary (circular, rectangular, etc.). However, the shape of the cross-section of the divergent section should preferably be similar to the shape of the cross-section of the exit of the water turbine section to keep a laminar flow in the divergent section.
It is to be noted that the water turbine section may have a shape that differs from the divergent section and/or the convergent section. In this case a transition section is installed between the water turbine section and the divergent section and/or the convergent section to preserve a laminar flow.
In a further embodiment, the convergent section comprises two flat walls that are parallel to each other and two other walls that are curved to form a constriction of section.
The angle between the walls of the divergent section and the longitudinal axis of the water turbine apparatus should be chosen to prevent turbulence or vortex in the water flow. It is preferable to maintain an even laminar flow within the divergent section because a turbulent flow in this section would decrease the water velocity over sections of the divergent section and consequently the efficiency of the water turbine. The angle at which a turbulent flow occurs is referred to as the critical angle. The critical angle is dependant upon the profile and the geometry of the surfaces of the divergent section. The critical angle may vary but is preferably greater than 8 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to the incoming water flow. It is to be noted that the different walls of the divergent do not need to be all at the same angle relatively to the longitudinal axis of the water turbine apparatus but all should be within the aforesaid parameters.
In a further embodiment, the entry of the convergent section and the exit of the divergent section comprise panels to minimize the entrance losses and the exit losses. In order to minimize the entrance losses and the exit losses, the panels should preferably have a smooth profile and be tangential to the water turbine apparatus. A smooth profile refers to a profile that does not have sharp edges.
No existing commercial turbines use a technique to increase the velocity pressure of the water stream striking the rotor above that obtainable by difference in static pressure between the reservoir and the discharge. If the volumes of water are large or the hydrostatic pressures are high, to reduce capital costs, only one 5 stage of turbines is used. Using this design philosophy, the velocity of the fluid stream, rotor blade and flow channel configurations are already limited by rotor blade cavitation considerations. Also, the existing turbine designs (Kaplan, Francis and Pelton) all use thick and heavy castings for the casing and the rotor blades are thick to absorb high stresses over their lengths. It is almost impossible 10 to incorporate any type of velocity pressure augmentation into such a design. A
three bladed impellor such as those used in the wind industry could be used but again the stresses on the blades and high area of low torque zone limit their efficiency.
The fifth ratio is the ratio of the length of the divergent section over the width of the divergent section.
It has been determined that the first ratio is preferably higher than 1.5 and more preferably higher than 2.25. It is important to get a pressure differential between the entry of the convergent section and the entry of the water turbine in order to maximize the Venturi effect created.
It has been determined that the second ratio is preferably higher than 4Ø It has been determined that the third ratio is preferably between 1.5 and 10, and more preferably between 1.5 and 6.5.
It has been determined that the fourth ratio is preferably between 0.5 and 2.5.
The fifth ratio is preferably between 1.0 and 4Ø The length of the divergent section is preferably longer than the length of the convergent section.
In a preferred embodiment, the convergent shape is given by the Borger theory as well as the inflexion point and the length in order to minimise the loss head and make uniform the velocity profile at the convergent exit.
The shape of the cross-section of the different sections may vary (circular, rectangular, etc.). However, the shape of the cross-section of the divergent section should preferably be similar to the shape of the cross-section of the exit of the water turbine section to keep a laminar flow in the divergent section.
It is to be noted that the water turbine section may have a shape that differs from the divergent section and/or the convergent section. In this case a transition section is installed between the water turbine section and the divergent section and/or the convergent section to preserve a laminar flow.
In a further embodiment, the convergent section comprises two flat walls that are parallel to each other and two other walls that are curved to form a constriction of section.
The angle between the walls of the divergent section and the longitudinal axis of the water turbine apparatus should be chosen to prevent turbulence or vortex in the water flow. It is preferable to maintain an even laminar flow within the divergent section because a turbulent flow in this section would decrease the water velocity over sections of the divergent section and consequently the efficiency of the water turbine. The angle at which a turbulent flow occurs is referred to as the critical angle. The critical angle is dependant upon the profile and the geometry of the surfaces of the divergent section. The critical angle may vary but is preferably greater than 8 degrees and less than 30 degrees relative to the incoming water flow. It is to be noted that the different walls of the divergent do not need to be all at the same angle relatively to the longitudinal axis of the water turbine apparatus but all should be within the aforesaid parameters.
In a further embodiment, the entry of the convergent section and the exit of the divergent section comprise panels to minimize the entrance losses and the exit losses. In order to minimize the entrance losses and the exit losses, the panels should preferably have a smooth profile and be tangential to the water turbine apparatus. A smooth profile refers to a profile that does not have sharp edges.
No existing commercial turbines use a technique to increase the velocity pressure of the water stream striking the rotor above that obtainable by difference in static pressure between the reservoir and the discharge. If the volumes of water are large or the hydrostatic pressures are high, to reduce capital costs, only one 5 stage of turbines is used. Using this design philosophy, the velocity of the fluid stream, rotor blade and flow channel configurations are already limited by rotor blade cavitation considerations. Also, the existing turbine designs (Kaplan, Francis and Pelton) all use thick and heavy castings for the casing and the rotor blades are thick to absorb high stresses over their lengths. It is almost impossible 10 to incorporate any type of velocity pressure augmentation into such a design. A
three bladed impellor such as those used in the wind industry could be used but again the stresses on the blades and high area of low torque zone limit their efficiency.
15 It is not practical to place two non-augmented turbines in line one after another as the cost of the turbines increases, the complexity of the operation increases and there is no gain in power output. In fact less power will normally be produced due to increased hydrostatic friction losses, parasitic friction losses and frictional bearing losses.
While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.
While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.
Claims (16)
1. A modular augmented turbine comprising:
-an external housing;
-an inlet;
-an outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, said rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the inlet;
and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to a further external housing of a further modular augmented turbine.
-an external housing;
-an inlet;
-an outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, said rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the inlet;
and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to a further external housing of a further modular augmented turbine.
2. The modular augmented turbine according to claim 1, further comprising a turbine blade pitch angle adjustment system for selectively adjusting a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades.
3. The modular augmented turbine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a directing system mounted over the hub structure for directing fluid entering the turbine towards the plurality of turbine blades.
4. An assembly of multiple augmented turbines for generating power from a fluid stream originating from a reservoir having a hydrostatic head, the assembly comprising:
-a frame;
-a plurality of modular augmented turbines held together by the frame, each of said modular augmented turbines comprising:
-an external housing;
-a turbine inlet;
-a turbine outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, said rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the turbine inlet; and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the turbine outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent external housing of an adjacent modular augmented turbine;
-at least one assembly inlet connected to a highest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines;
-at least one discharge outlet connected to a lowest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere;
wherein each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines comprises an upstream turbine and a downstream turbine, said downstream turbine being lower with respect to the upstream turbine, the turbine inlet of said downstream turbine is connected to the turbine outlet of said upstream turbine such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession, and the at least one assembly inlet is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
-a frame;
-a plurality of modular augmented turbines held together by the frame, each of said modular augmented turbines comprising:
-an external housing;
-a turbine inlet;
-a turbine outlet;
-a rotor housed within the external housing, said rotor comprising:
-a hub structure having a rotor hub diameter and attached to a rotating shaft of the turbine;
-a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the hub structure; and -an annular shroud surrounding the plurality of turbine blades;
-a convergent nozzle for directing fluid entering the rotor from the turbine inlet; and -a divergent nozzle for directing fluid exiting the rotor to the turbine outlet, wherein the turbine blades are held between the hub structure and the annular shroud, and the external housing comprises connections for connecting to an adjacent external housing of an adjacent modular augmented turbine;
-at least one assembly inlet connected to a highest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines;
-at least one discharge outlet connected to a lowest turbine of the plurality of multiple augmented turbines and discharging the fluid stream to an atmosphere;
wherein each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines comprises an upstream turbine and a downstream turbine, said downstream turbine being lower with respect to the upstream turbine, the turbine inlet of said downstream turbine is connected to the turbine outlet of said upstream turbine such that the fluid stream passes through each turbine in succession, and the at least one assembly inlet is located below a height corresponding to the hydrostatic head of the reservoir.
5. The assembly according to claim 4, comprising a plurality of assembly inlets connecting to corresponding selected ones of the plurality of turbines at various heights along an upper section of the frame.
6. The assembly according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising an adjustable valve system located proximate the at least one discharge outlet for controlling a rate of fluid flow through the assembly.
7. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the convergent and divergent nozzles of the plurality of modular augmented turbines are rectangular in cross-section and a width of the cross-section is greater than a height of the cross-section.
8. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one discharge outlet is submerged downstream of the reservoir.
9. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the frame is sealedly enclosed and forms a connection between the upstream turbine and the downstream turbine of the each adjacent pair of the plurality of modular augmented turbines.
10. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein a structure of the frame is made from a material selected from the group consisting of concrete and steel.
11. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the assembly is housed and enclosed within a larger building.
12. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein each of the modular augmented turbines further comprises a turbine blade pitch angle adjustment system for selectively adjusting a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades.
13. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein each of the modular augmented turbines further comprises a directing system mounted over the hub structure for directing fluid entering each of the modular augmented turbines towards the plurality of turbine blades.
14. A plurality of modular augmented turbines as claimed in claim 1 positioned in parallel along a downstream face of a frame.
15. The plurality of modular augmented turbines as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame is fully submerged and an attachment of the turbines to the downstream face keeps the turbines parallel to a direction of flow.
16. The plurality of modular augmented turbines as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame is partially submerged and an attachment of the turbines to the downstream face keeps the turbines parallel to a direction of flow.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2647773A CA2647773A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2008-12-23 | Multiple augmented turbine assembly |
| PCT/CA2009/001671 WO2010071976A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2009-11-18 | Multiple augmented turbine assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2647773A CA2647773A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2008-12-23 | Multiple augmented turbine assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2647773A1 true CA2647773A1 (en) | 2010-06-23 |
Family
ID=42283107
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2647773A Abandoned CA2647773A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2008-12-23 | Multiple augmented turbine assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2647773A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2010071976A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2522847A3 (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2014-05-07 | Voith Patent GmbH | Flow power plant park and method for its production |
| FR3009738A1 (en) * | 2013-08-19 | 2015-02-20 | P3 Ingenieurs | TURBINE, HOUSING HOUSING OF A TURBINE AND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10107143B2 (en) * | 2015-09-01 | 2018-10-23 | The Boeing Company | Methods and apparatus to adjust hydrodynamic designs of a hydrokinetic turbine |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997021922A1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-19 | Gavril Pavel Curtui | Total electric water system |
| JPH09177654A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-07-11 | Koken Boring Mach Co Ltd | Multistage hydraulic power plant |
| US6955049B2 (en) * | 2003-05-29 | 2005-10-18 | Krouse Wayne F | Machine and system for power generation through movement of water |
| CN1973128A (en) * | 2004-05-06 | 2007-05-30 | Az工程股份公司 | Modular hydraulic or hydroelectric machine |
-
2008
- 2008-12-23 CA CA2647773A patent/CA2647773A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-11-18 WO PCT/CA2009/001671 patent/WO2010071976A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2522847A3 (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2014-05-07 | Voith Patent GmbH | Flow power plant park and method for its production |
| US8779615B2 (en) | 2011-05-12 | 2014-07-15 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Maritime current power plant park and a method for its production |
| FR3009738A1 (en) * | 2013-08-19 | 2015-02-20 | P3 Ingenieurs | TURBINE, HOUSING HOUSING OF A TURBINE AND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2010071976A1 (en) | 2010-07-01 |
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