GB447728A - Improvements in internal-combustion turbines - Google Patents

Abstract

447,728. Hydraulic turbines. ROWLANDS, P. O., Chester Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. Nov. 2, 1935, No. 30297. [Class 110 (iii)] A wheel, preferably of the Pelton type 2, is driven by intermittent charges of water which are ejected from a nozzle 5 due to the combustion of gases in a chamber 54, Fig. 3, above the surface of the water in a neck 55. The degree of compression in the working chamber 4 is controlled by varying the quantity of water admitted to the chamber from a piston pump 6 which is synchronized with the cycle occurring in the chamber 4. Liquid, gaseous, or powdered fuel may be used. The turbine is governed at constant speed by suspending the working cycle. The water pump 6, scavenging air blower 7 and air injection pump 8 are driven off the main shaft 1. Water from the chamber 3 passes down a flume 9 to the intake 10 to the pump 6, and gases and scavenging air escape through a pipe 125. Water enters the chamber 4 from a space 15 by way of a sleeve valve 21 which is controlled by a hydraulic ram, balanced by an air piston, acting through a pivoted lever upon rods 23. Drain pipes 27 for water leakage, are provided. An annular discharge valve 31 co-operates with a streamlined core 28, to allow water to pass from the chamber 4 to the nozzle 5. A sleeve-valve 37 controls the admission of water under pressure to the underside of the valve 31 through ports 42, and also controls the release of water from under the valve 31 through ports 43 and passage 44 which is provided with restricted discharge apertures 45. The valve 37 is actuated by a lever 38 by means of a hydraulic ram 39 and air piston 40. Where powdered fuel is used for combustion, the admission is controlled by a rod 59 which oscillates a cam 60. A measuring valve 62, Fig. 8, delivers fuel into a passage 63 from which it is blown by compressed air through a valve 64 into the combustion chamber 54. The air enters 63 from a pipe 20 and port 70 by oscillating valve 71 actuated by a lever 72 through a trigger 76 on a rocking lever 24. Compressed air from the pump 8 for fuel injection passes to an air receiver, provided with a relief piston and byepass to atmosphere. Scavenging air is supplied from the blower 7 through a pipe 17 and valve 56, which is actuated by a hydraulic ram 57 through a lever 58. A plunger in an opening in the side of the combustion chamber is forced outwards by the explosion pressure and interrupts an electrical cycle. If a misfire occurs in the chamber, the above movement is cut out, and the following cycle in the chamber 4 is suspended. When the pressure due to combustion is less than the predetermined pressure, a switch remains closed and current passes through rotary timers on a cam-shaft 86 to an armature which makes half a turn and slides tappets away from their cams and the distributing valves are not actuated during one cycle. Oil under pressure is provided for operating various valves, by a pump 92, driven off the crank-shaft 11, and passes to an accumulator 95 which is loaded by an air piston under pressure from the pipe 20. A byepass valve which releases a quantity of water from the delivery side of the pump 6, to vary the amount of water admitted to the chamber 4, is controlled by the cam-shaft 86 having cams which intermittently press downward the end of a lever. A plunger under pressure from the chamber 4 causes a wedge to move under the lever to vary the amount of opening of the byepass valve. The speed of the turbine is controlled by any type of centrifugal governor which moves electrical contacts to cause current to actuate rotary timers, which in turn prevent intake valves of the water pump from operating, by shifting tappets from their co-operating cams. Before starting up the turbine, air is pumped into the receiver by hand or otherwise, and the wheel 2 rotated by any convenient means. Scavenging air is then admitted to the working chamber before the water rises, and powdered fuel injected, and combustion takes place when the water reaches the upper end of the passage 55. Two working chambers may be applied to one wheel, and several wheels may be arranged on one shaft.