US1507356A - Hydroelectric-unit flywheel governor - Google Patents

Hydroelectric-unit flywheel governor Download PDF

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US1507356A
US1507356A US532122A US53212222A US1507356A US 1507356 A US1507356 A US 1507356A US 532122 A US532122 A US 532122A US 53212222 A US53212222 A US 53212222A US 1507356 A US1507356 A US 1507356A
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governor
shaft
gear
movement
speed
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Allen A Horton
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D13/00Control of linear speed; Control of angular speed; Control of acceleration or deceleration, e.g. of a prime mover

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  • My invention relates to power plants and lore particularly relates to speed regulating and stabilizing' systems therefor.
  • the variation ot' the energy supplied to the. prime mover is a characteristic example ot the manner whereby the power plant speed is regulated and thus it is usually in connection with some means Jfor controlling the energy supply that a speed regulating governor operates. ing system may also operate on the energy supply to smooth out the effect ot the governor action and to prevent hunting but a stabilizer' may also virtually or actually function as a ywheel. lts action in the latter oase may then be more or less kinetic,
  • Apowerful operation and ability to prevent over-running and under-running speeds during operation are especially critical requirements in governors for hydraulic machinery, especially if the governors are direct acting.
  • the first of these, namely governor power is desired to insure posit-ive movement in the action of the governor in spite of the considerable resistance usually offered by the valve or gate mechanism to movement; whereas the latter, constituting the anti-racing and anti-hammering lproperties of the governor system is a critical requirement in view ont the powerful eliiect of both the inertia and the kinetic energy of the energizing lluid, which is likely to cause an instantaneous effect opposite to that normally corresponding to the valve or Igate position change.
  • the general object of this invention is to inovide a simple and elicient regulating, stabilizing or governing device characterized by its competency under certain or all of the conditions above set forth. Further objects ot the invention are: to provide an improved inertia governor; to provide a speed stabilizing system adapted to stabilize yand govern the speed of the machine to which it is applied and to augment the dywheel system thereof; to provide a governor system especially suited to the requirements of hydraulic machinery; to provide a governor system adapted to be embodied in a hydro-electric unit; and to provide a new and improved governor gear.
  • my invention may consist in a speed stabilizing and regulating system organized, constructed. ernbodied and ⁇ applied as shown in the draw ings.
  • Figure l is a fragmentary view of a hydro-electric unit, showing in vertical s ection, a speed regulator' and governor 1ncorp-orated in. this machine and embodying features of my invention;
  • Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line IIL-H of Fig. l;
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. l With-in the governor chamber;
  • Figs. t and 5 are horizontal sections taken in the planes of the lines IV-IV and V-V, respectively, of Fig. l;
  • Fig. 6 is a contracted elevation et the hydro-electric unit embodying my invention, the installation of the unit being also indicated.
  • a hydro-electric unit of the saine general character as that shown in Fig; 61, and an installation of the apparatus is set forth in detail in va co-pending application, Serial No. @94399, tiled September 10, 1921. It is a vertical installa-tion comprising: a hydroelectric turbo-generator apparatusembodying in a single completely self contained and enclosed unit, the major organs, such as the prime mover and generator and their auxiliaries, suoli as the speed regulating mechanism, transmission and certain lubricating means.
  • the unit is built up in three principal sections, to Wit: a turbine, a generator and an. interconnecting sect-ion including the speed regulating system.
  • This interconnecting section is a tubular coliunn comprising: a head or regulator chamber l, a neck or torsion gear chamber 2, an elongated cylindrical trunk 3, and a pedestal or base a.
  • This section may, of course be vmade in one piece or in as many parts as desired.
  • the tubular column is mounted on and securedto the floor slab or other supporting structure F and in the vicinity of its lower end the column may be steadied by the cover Wall *W of the penstock P which it enters.
  • vertical turbine T of the Francis type may l have its crown pla-te centered on and bolted to the lovver end of the pedestal 4, While it-s turbine or discharge tube' is suitably connected to the oriiice of the dra-tt tube structure D
  • a vertical electric generator G the base of Which is centered on and secured to the upper end of the regulator chamber l. This generator is set forth in' detail in a cof-pending application, Serial No. l2'l,858, filed November 5, 1920.
  • the armature 5 rotative Within the field 6 or" the generator is direct connected to the runner 7 rotating Within the peripherally y disposed system of Wicket gates 8 of the turbine.
  • the gate ring may be operated either manually or automatically and accordingly the gate operating and controlling mechanism embodies both a manually operable branch and a branch adapted to be .operated by the automat-ic regulating mechanism.
  • the unit may be started, set and stopped at the WillV ot the attendant or operator, Whereas regula-tion While running will be obtained -by thespeed regulator or governor.
  • both the manual andautomatic control systems operate the gate ring through the gate ring column 10 secured at its lower end to the gate ring and having a double torsion gear or head at its upper end. This gear is enclosed Within the chamber 2 as best shown inFig. l. From this section ot the gate control gear, the manually and automatically operated mechanisms branch oil individually.
  • the mechanism for manually operating the gate ring column l0 embodies a pilot or hand Wheel il mounted on and adapted to rotate the vhand Wheel shaft l2 enclosed uf'ithin the'hand Wheel column 13 and driving, through the miter gears ll enclosed Withinl t-he casing l5, the hand control shaft 16 which is connected in turn to the worm shaft l? through a pair ot miter gears l5.
  • Automatic regulation is provided independently of the manual control during the operation of the machine by the governor gear which, under the inluence of the governor, twists the gate ringjcolumn to adjust the gates.
  • the governor is incorporated with Ythe speed regulating and stabilizing system included in the regulator chamber l. This regulating and stabilizing system is designed to maintain a 'substantially con-l stant rotational speed in the. machine to lili() which it is applied, even though the load or energy applied may vary,
  • the speed stabilizing system shown in the drawings embodies a governor that is characterized not only by the foregoing qualifications, but possesses also a dead beat action, operates through a powerful mechanical governor gear and is supplemented by one or more flywheel mass elements that stabilize and stimulate the governor action and steady the rotative movement and speed of the unit.
  • the mechanism of the stabilizing system embodies, organically, a flywheel, a governor and a governor gear.
  • This mechanism is mounted upon a shaft which may be the main shaft ofthe machine as in'its present embodiment.
  • the main shaft of the machine includes three sections, one individual to each section of the rotating system of the unit.
  • the generator larmature shaft 2l constitutes'the upper shaft section; the turbine runner'shaft 22 constitutes the lower section of the shaft system; and t-he shaft 23, direct connecting the upper and lower sections is the intermediate section upon or about which the stabilizing system is mounted.
  • the couplings 24 and 25 assemble the three main shaft sections into a substantially continuous and rigid shaft system having a rectilinear axis; they may both be identical Ato the coupling 24 shown in detail, or of any type that will hold the various shaft sections coaxial and torsionally rigid. Suitable bearings are'provided for supporting the main shaft systemy and iits sections axially and transversely.
  • the balance wheel 26 is a floatingdynamic mass, the inherent inertia and stored kinetic energy of which is utilized to stabilize and to regulate the rotative move-ment of the unit orV machine. These forces and their functions may influence the system mechanically as in the case of a conventional flywheel and also reactively or extraneously by their infiuence on the governor. Thus the balance wheel may be regarded, organically, as both an element of the rotating system of the machine and as an elementof the governor.
  • the balance.. wheel 26 is mounted on the shaft section 23 to be helically movable to a limited extent about the axis thereof.Y This lielicalzniovelnent is bi-directional. If the shaft 23 be rotating and is retarded, the wheel 26 is urged by its rkinetic energy to overrun the shaft and climb ⁇ itshelix', whereas if the shaft is accelerated the' balance wheel is urged by its inertia to lag behind the rotating shaft and descend its helix,l A
  • a sliding helix connection is provided between the balance wheel and the shaft upon which it is mounted, whereas the centrifugal mechanism is connected to said shaft through a planetary system of gearing.
  • a concentric sleeve 27 having formed at its lower end a helix or spiral slide such as the externally formed thrust screw 2S, and at its upper end a toothed sector or spur pinion such as the sun gear 29; is rigidly and immovably mounted on the shaft 23.
  • a follower or 'nut 30 having an internally formed helix or thread 31 freely engaging and embracing the screw 28 is concentrically and rigidly incorporated with the balance wheel. This nut may be formed integral with the hub 32 or may be inserted and rigidly secured thereto.
  • the nut and screw operate as a helical slide and slider-when the wheel 26 is oscillated about the shaft 23.
  • the wheel thus climbs the screw 28 as it rotates'or moves angularly in one direction about its shaft and descends the screw when its movement relatively to the shaft is reversed.
  • the cylindrical torsion sleeve is swivel connected to the wheel hub or its nut 30 through the annular ball bearing 34.
  • An oil well 3451 may be provided for retaining lubricant for this bearing.
  • the sleeve freely surrounds the shaft 23 and passes lfreely through the lower wall of the chamber l, through the bore in the worm wheel sector 2O and into the bore 35 of the head 36 of the gate ring column 10.
  • the torsion sleeve which is swivel connected to the wheel, is accordingly so constrained and connected to the gate ring column that axial movement of the balance wheel causes a corresponding torsional movement of the gate ring column.
  • the sleeve 33 may also be utilized to communicate t-he angular or torsional movement of the worm wheel 2O to the torsional gate ring column 10.
  • the torsion sleeve 33 is provided exteriorly with la helical cam groove 37 engaged by a follower roller 38 journalled ⁇ on the inwardly projecting end of a' stud 39 rigidly securedin the worm wheel 20, and is also provided exteriorly with an axially .lill
  • the centrifugal mechanism for establishing a criterion speed is mounted on the balance wheel 26 and engages with the shaft t 23 after the fashion ot a planetary system.
  • This mechanism also provides a torsional connection between the shaft 23 and the balance wheel;
  • the mechanism may embody a plurality of identical interconnected sets uniformly disposed with respect to a common center of" gravity about which the system is adapted to revolve and this condition may maintain in their various positions of operative movement. Mechanical balance is thus enhanced.
  • each of' these sets embodies a pivoted rigid planetary member including a iiyweight'O- and a sector 51, andv a loading spring 52.
  • These members are each pivotally c mounted on a pintle 53 rigidly secured'in a boss 54 Jr'ormedr in the web of the balance wheel 26.
  • the ball bearings 55 are interposed between each of thebearing hubs 56 and the pin-tle shaft.
  • the teeth. ⁇ of the sectors 51 mesh with they sun gear 29. as shown in the draw-ings, the facel ot the sun gear being ,wider than that of the sectors .and of suicient length to permit the lattersliding longitudinallyfalong thev former as the balance wheel climbs or descends-its helix.
  • vThe loading springs 52 are conveniently applied to the ly-weights as best shown in Eig. 3, r4The adjacent pairing endsl ofeach of the helical tension springs 52 is secured by means of' a bolt 57' and a clamp orVv nut to one of a pair off angularlydisposed seats 581 which, together with the. intermediate boss 59.1, are. into a. yoke.r Eachpf these yokes-engages with an abutment GGthrough the medium of a ball! pointed adjusting screw 61 seating.A in a correspondingvrecess in the 'outer upstanding face' of the abutment-6l).
  • Thesprings 52 are triangular spring system, divergently elastic. At its angles it is funiversally connectedto theY abutments through the ⁇ yolres which function as equalizers.
  • the adjusting screws permit of suitable. adjustment and' that the helixor screw27is lett hand and i that the tension of the governor spring system and the weight'ofl the balance wheel v exert corresponding forces on the regulator mechanism. It assumes, further, that the rotation of the shaft 23' is left handed.i.A e. counter-clockwise as "viewed from above. Still further it is assumedthat the depressed position of the torsion sleeve 33 corresponds to the open position ofthe governor gear.
  • the governor mechanism shifts the torsion sleeve axiallyg'and when this occurs, the inclination of the cam groove 37 along ⁇ which the roller 38vrolls, causes a torsional reaction between theworm wheel 20 and the column head 36, twisting. or oscillatingthe latter, consequently shifting the turbine gates.
  • TheA inertia mechanism of the governor of which the balance wheel is an organic part, on the other hand, is relied upon to instantaneously correct and compensate for variation in machine speed, and to stabilize the action of the centrifugal and inertia systems of the governor mechanism cooperating to produce those characteristics above specified as inherent requirements in a governor ideally meeting the service demands of a unit such as herein illustrated, and in fact the systems intermingle.
  • the machine In starting, the machine is usually put into operation and brought up to normal running speed under no load. To this end the operator manipulates the hand wheel ll to apply the energy to the prime mover, in the present instance to shift the gates, opening them from the full closed position through the starting position to the running position.
  • the governor meanwhile comes into action, its mechanism assuming a position intermediate the full open position shown in 'Figs l and 8, and a full closed position which is its other extreme position of movement, and raising the torsion sleeve correspondingly in order that the gates may be adjusted to the inherent load of the machine and obtain and maintain normal running speed.
  • a speed regulator In a speed regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheel mounted to be helically movable relatively to said shaft, a planetary centrifugal mechanism vconnected to the balance wheel and to the rotatable shaft, said connection being such that the movement of the balance wheel and the centrifugal mechanism relatively to the rot-atable shaft is co-ordinated, and means for applying said movement to the regulating gear independent of the first mentioned means to cause the latter to be operated and controlled.
  • a speed regulator the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, an inertia member having a portion thereof helically movable relatively to said shaft, a fly-weight mounted to ⁇ be revoluble about an axis and to permit the shifting of its mass center relatively to its axis of revolution, means for co-ordinating the helical movement of the inertia member and the shifting movement of the fly-weight, and means for utilizing the co-ordinated movement of the inertia and fly-weight mechanism independent of the first mentioned means to cause the regulatinggear ⁇ to be operated and controlled.
  • a speed regulator the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheel mounted to be rotatably movable relatively to said shaft, a pinion rotatably rigid with said shaft, a fly-weight pivotally mounted on said balance wheel with its mass center eccentric of said pivotal axis, an arm rigid with said fly-weight, means for connecting the last mentioned arm to the pinion of said shaft to interconnect the pivotal movementof the fly-weight and the rotative movement of the balancewheel and to establish a torsional connection between the shaft and balance wheel, and means foi' utilizing the balance wheel and fly-weight movement to cause the operation and control of the regulating gear.
  • aspeedregulator the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manualadjustment of said regulating gear, a helical slideway rigid with said'v shaft, a balance wheel mounted to be lielically slidable on said slideway, avcranls ⁇ pintle mounted on said balance wheel, a
  • a speedV regulator the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment Aof saidregulating gear, a balance wheel mounted concentrically of said shaft to be rotatable relatively thereto', a plurality of' crank pintles mounted on said-balance wheelin angularly spaced relation, a ⁇ 1y-weight eccentrically journaled on each of the pintles, means for connecting the fly-weights to said rotatable shaft to impart a planetary movement to the former as the balance wheel rotates relatively to the latter, a spring reacting between a pairl of the fly-weights to load them against movement ⁇ in one direction, and means for applying the movement of the balance wheel and fly-weights to the regulating gear independent of the first mentioned means.
  • va rotatable shaft In a'lspeed regulator, the combination of va rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheelv mounted con ⁇ centrically of said shaft to be rotatable relatively thereto, a plurality of crankpintles mounted on said balance wheel in angularly spaced relation, a fly-weight concentrically journalled on eachl of the pintles, means for connecting the fly-weights as a planetary system to said rotatable shaft, Va tension spring extending from a moment arm of one of the fly-weights toward the next succeeding fly-weight and reacting between its anchorages to yieldingly load the fly-weight system, and means for applying the movement of the balance wheel andffiyweight s -stem to the reo'ulatino Oearinde-v b b b b pendent of the first mentioned means.
  • a speed regulator the combination of a rotatable shaft, ⁇ a regulatingV gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manualadjustment of said regulating gear, a balance,V wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of crank pintles mounted on said balance wheel i-n angularly spaced relation, a fly-weight eccentrically ⁇ iournalled on each of the pintles, means for connectingthe fly-weights as a planetary system to said rotatable shaft,v
  • a two armed equalizer pivotally connected to a moment arm of each of the fly-weights, a tension spring extending from each ofv the arms of'each of the equalizers to the adjacent varm of the equalizer of the next succeeding iiy-weiglit, and means for applying the energy of the functional movement of the iiy-weights and balance wheel to the regulating gear independent ofthe rst men.'- tioned means.
  • lpower means coaxially of 'said head adapted to rotatesaid head, manually actuated means at the side of said head adapted to rotate said head, a regulating gear and sleeve adjacent said head and establishinga driving Vrelation between said head and its manually ⁇ actuting means, said sleeve being interposed between said head vand said power means and actuated by the latter and adapted to establish an operative connectionl between said power means and said regulating gear, and Y governor means adapted to be actuated by said power means to move said sleeve independently of said manually actuated means.
  • sleeve and said head and means adapted for 10 l1.

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Description

Sept. `2 1924. 1,507,356
A. A. HORTON HYDROELECTRIC .UNIT FLYWHEEL GOVERNOR Filed `Jan. 27, 1,922 3 Sheets-Sheet .l
Sept. 2. 1924.
A. A. HORTON HYDOELECTRIC UNIT FLYWHEEL GOVERNOR Filed Jan. 27, 1922 3 Sheets-Shut 2 Sept. 2 ..1924.. 1,507,356v
A. A. HORTON n IYDROELBCTRIC UNIT FLYWHE-EL GOVERNOR Filed Jani 2v, 1922 s sneets-snnf Vl'y EW i
Patented Sept. 2, 1924.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
ALLEN HORTON, OF HGHLAND PARK, MICHGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY FORD, OE DEARBORN, MICHIGAN.'
HYDROELEOTRIC-UNIT FLYYVHEEL GOVERNOR.
Application filed January 27, 1922.
To all whom t may concern:
.Be it known that l, ALLEN A. HoRToN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Highland Park, in the county of llVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydroelectric-Unit Flywheel Governors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.
My invention relates to power plants and lore particularly relates to speed regulating and stabilizing' systems therefor.
Uniformity of speed7 in spite of variations in the power supply or load is a universal requirement in the prime mover in the majority of power plant installations. .Speed regulation must therefore be provided, and it is the purpose ot such speed regulating systems as governors7 to automatically provide this regulation. Stabilizing systems although they may include a governor, usually provide also tor the dampening ot thev frequency and amplitude ot the residual speed `fluctuationsD namely those which a governor mechanism unaided is unable to eliminate.
The variation ot' the energy supplied to the. prime mover is a characteristic example ot the manner whereby the power plant speed is regulated and thus it is usually in connection with some means Jfor controlling the energy supply that a speed regulating governor operates. ing system may also operate on the energy supply to smooth out the effect ot the governor action and to prevent hunting but a stabilizer' may also virtually or actually function as a ywheel. lts action in the latter oase may then be more or less kinetic,
The inherent characteristics of a successful speed stabilizing and regulating sys tem of the type embodied in a governor and governor gear for operating the gates of a hydraulic turbine to regulate its runner speed are: Sensitiveness; powerful operation; rapid gate operation;- ability to avoid over-running and under-running speeds of the runner during regulation by accomplishing the regulation in a plurality or" opposed similar steps, and such gen- A stabiliz- Serial No. 532,122.
eral requirements as strength, durability, reliability, and freedom from necessary attention. Although sensitiveness', rapidity ot' operation, and the general requirements above noted are desirable in any governor;
Apowerful operation and ability to prevent over-running and under-running speeds during operation are especially critical requirements in governors for hydraulic machinery, especially if the governors are direct acting. The first of these, namely governor power is desired to insure posit-ive movement in the action of the governor in spite of the considerable resistance usually offered by the valve or gate mechanism to movement; whereas the latter, constituting the anti-racing and anti-hammering lproperties of the governor system is a critical requirement in view ont the powerful eliiect of both the inertia and the kinetic energy of the energizing lluid, which is likely to cause an instantaneous effect opposite to that normally corresponding to the valve or Igate position change.
These conditions may also apply in the case of secondary mover installations, and in cases where a governor is employed merely to insure safety to the machine or apparatus wherein it is embodied.
The general object of this invention is to inovide a simple and elicient regulating, stabilizing or governing device characterized by its competency under certain or all of the conditions above set forth. Further objects ot the invention are: to provide an improved inertia governor; to provide a speed stabilizing system adapted to stabilize yand govern the speed of the machine to which it is applied and to augment the dywheel system thereof; to provide a governor system especially suited to the requirements of hydraulic machinery; to provide a governor system adapted to be embodied in a hydro-electric unit; and to provide a new and improved governor gear.
To these and other ends my invention may consist in a speed stabilizing and regulating system organized, constructed. ernbodied and` applied as shown in the draw ings. wherein:
Figure l is a fragmentary view of a hydro-electric unit, showing in vertical s ection, a speed regulator' and governor 1ncorp-orated in. this machine and embodying features of my invention;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line IIL-H of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. l With-in the governor chamber;
Figs. t and 5 are horizontal sections taken in the planes of the lines IV-IV and V-V, respectively, of Fig. l; and
Fig. 6 is a contracted elevation et the hydro-electric unit embodying my invention, the installation of the unit being also indicated.
A hydro-electric unit of the saine general character as that shown in Fig; 61, and an installation of the apparatus is set forth in detail in va co-pending application, Serial No. @94399, tiled September 10, 1921. It is a vertical installa-tion comprising: a hydroelectric turbo-generator apparatusembodying in a single completely self contained and enclosed unit, the major organs, such as the prime mover and generator and their auxiliaries, suoli as the speed regulating mechanism, transmission and certain lubricating means.
The unit is built up in three principal sections, to Wit: a turbine, a generator and an. interconnecting sect-ion including the speed regulating system.
This interconnecting section is a tubular coliunn comprising: a head or regulator chamber l, a neck or torsion gear chamber 2, an elongated cylindrical trunk 3, and a pedestal or base a. This section may, of course be vmade in one piece or in as many parts as desired. At its upper end the tubular column is mounted on and securedto the floor slab or other supporting structure F and in the vicinity of its lower end the column may be steadied by the cover Wall *W of the penstock P which it enters. A
vertical turbine T of the Francis type may l have its crown pla-te centered on and bolted to the lovver end of the pedestal 4, While it-s turbine or discharge tube' is suitably connected to the oriiice of the dra-tt tube structure D Surmount-ing the unit is a vertical electric generator G, the base of Which is centered on and secured to the upper end of the regulator chamber l. This generator is set forth in' detail in a cof-pending application, Serial No. l2'l,858, filed November 5, 1920.
The armature 5 rotative Within the field 6 or" the generator is direct connected to the runner 7 rotating Within the peripherally y disposed system of Wicket gates 8 of the turbine.`
These gates are adapted to be opened and closed by an oscillatable gate ring 9. Counter-clockwise rotational movement Yot" the ring 9 through a small angle as viewed from above will be regarded herein as causing the gates 8 to close; Whereas movement oi the gate ring in the opposite direction is presumed to open the gates.
The gate ring, in turn, may be operated either manually or automatically and accordingly the gate operating and controlling mechanism embodies both a manually operable branch and a branch adapted to be .operated by the automat-ic regulating mechanism. Thus the unit may be started, set and stopped at the WillV ot the attendant or operator, Whereas regula-tion While running will be obtained -by thespeed regulator or governor. In thel present embodiment of my invention. both the manual andautomatic control systems operate the gate ring through the gate ring column 10 secured at its lower end to the gate ring and having a double torsion gear or head at its upper end. This gear is enclosed Within the chamber 2 as best shown inFig. l. From this section ot the gate control gear, the manually and automatically operated mechanisms branch oil individually.
The mechanism for manually operating the gate ring column l0 embodies a pilot or hand Wheel il mounted on and adapted to rotate the vhand Wheel shaft l2 enclosed uf'ithin the'hand Wheel column 13 and driving, through the miter gears ll enclosed Withinl t-he casing l5, the hand control shaft 16 which is connected in turn to the worm shaft l? through a pair ot miter gears l5. Thus the gate column Worm 19 is compelled to rotate in unison With the hand Wheel ll., and since this Worm is enmeshed With the segmental Worm Wheel'2() that is mounted at the head of the gate ring column l() and connected thereto to communicate its rotative movement to said column., the angular movement ot this Worm Wheel correspondingly shifts or twists the column l0. The latter being centered on and rigidly securedv to the gate ring, communicates its movement thereto, thereby opening, holding, or closing the gates 8 Which correspondingly affectthe vflow ot' penstoclr Water into ythe turbine.
Automatic regulation is provided independently of the manual control during the operation of the machine by the governor gear which, under the inluence of the governor, twists the gate ringjcolumn to adjust the gates. The governor is incorporated with Ythe speed regulating and stabilizing system included in the regulator chamber l. This regulating and stabilizing system is designed to maintain a 'substantially con-l stant rotational speed in the. machine to lili() which it is applied, even though the load or energy applied may vary,
The inherent characteristics of a successful governor and governor gear for operating the gates of a hydraulic turbine to regulate its runner speedv have been previously stated. The speed stabilizing system shown in the drawings, embodies a governor that is characterized not only by the foregoing qualifications, but possesses also a dead beat action, operates through a powerful mechanical governor gear and is supplemented by one or more flywheel mass elements that stabilize and stimulate the governor action and steady the rotative movement and speed of the unit.
Accordingly, the mechanism of the stabilizing system embodies, organically, a flywheel, a governor and a governor gear. This mechanism is mounted upon a shaft which may be the main shaft ofthe machine as in'its present embodiment. v
Referring to Fig. '6, the main shaft of the machine includes three sections, one individual to each section of the rotating system of the unit. The generator larmature shaft 2lconstitutes'the upper shaft section; the turbine runner'shaft 22 constitutes the lower section of the shaft system; and t-he shaft 23, direct connecting the upper and lower sections is the intermediate section upon or about which the stabilizing system is mounted. The couplings 24 and 25 assemble the three main shaft sections into a substantially continuous and rigid shaft system having a rectilinear axis; they may both be identical Ato the coupling 24 shown in detail, or of any type that will hold the various shaft sections coaxial and torsionally rigid. Suitable bearings are'provided for supporting the main shaft systemy and iits sections axially and transversely.
The balance wheel 26 is a floatingdynamic mass, the inherent inertia and stored kinetic energy of which is utilized to stabilize and to regulate the rotative move-ment of the unit orV machine. These forces and their functions may influence the system mechanically as in the case of a conventional flywheel and also reactively or extraneously by their infiuence on the governor. Thus the balance wheel may be regarded, organically, as both an element of the rotating system of the machine and as an elementof the governor.
The balance.. wheel 26 is mounted on the shaft section 23 to be helically movable to a limited extent about the axis thereof.Y This lielicalzniovelnent is bi-directional. If the shaft 23 be rotating and is retarded, the wheel 26 is urged by its rkinetic energy to overrun the shaft and climb `itshelix', whereas if the shaft is accelerated the' balance wheel is urged by its inertia to lag behind the rotating shaft and descend its helix,l A
spring loaded centrifugal mechanism is incorporated with the balance wheel and its shaft, whereby a torsional connection therebetween is provided and a criterion speed established.
Accordingly a sliding helix connection is provided between the balance wheel and the shaft upon which it is mounted, whereas the centrifugal mechanism is connected to said shaft through a planetary system of gearing. To this end a concentric sleeve 27, having formed at its lower end a helix or spiral slide such as the externally formed thrust screw 2S, and at its upper end a toothed sector or spur pinion such as the sun gear 29; is rigidly and immovably mounted on the shaft 23. A follower or 'nut 30having an internally formed helix or thread 31 freely engaging and embracing the screw 28 is concentrically and rigidly incorporated with the balance wheel. This nut may be formed integral with the hub 32 or may be inserted and rigidly secured thereto. The nut and screw operate as a helical slide and slider-when the wheel 26 is oscillated about the shaft 23. The wheel thus climbs the screw 28 as it rotates'or moves angularly in one direction about its shaft and descends the screw when its movement relatively to the shaft is reversed.
It is the vertical movement of the balance wheel that causes the governor gear to adjust the energy supply, in the present instance the turbine gates'. Itis to this end that the cylindrical torsion sleeve is swivel connected to the wheel hub or its nut 30 through the annular ball bearing 34. An oil well 3451 may be provided for retaining lubricant for this bearing. The sleeve freely surrounds the shaft 23 and passes lfreely through the lower wall of the chamber l, through the bore in the worm wheel sector 2O and into the bore 35 of the head 36 of the gate ring column 10.
Since the necessary movement of the gate ring columnl is purely torsional, the vertical movement or axial reciprocation of ythe balance wheel must be convertedv into torsional movement in applying' it to the gate ring column. The torsion sleeve which is swivel connected to the wheel, is accordingly so constrained and connected to the gate ring column that axial movement of the balance wheel causes a corresponding torsional movement of the gate ring column. The sleeve 33 may also be utilized to communicate t-he angular or torsional movement of the worm wheel 2O to the torsional gate ring column 10. i
To this end the torsion sleeve 33 is provided exteriorly with la helical cam groove 37 engaged by a follower roller 38 journalled `on the inwardly projecting end of a' stud 39 rigidly securedin the worm wheel 20, and is also provided exteriorly with an axially .lill
extending spline groove engaged by `a roller 41l journalled on the inwardly projectingend` of a studf 41L rigidly secured in the head 36 of the -column 10. it will be obvious t-hat the disposition ot' the. grooves 37 and 40 might be reversed or that the inclination or lead might be applied in part to both of thesev elements. A borethrough thesleeve 33vv accommodates the shaft 23 which passes through the sleeve and rotates freely therein. In order tol enhancethe free torsional movement ofthe column 10 'a roller suspension theretor is provided, comprising-z the conical track or race plate 42v inserted in. the peripheral annulus 43 of the khead 36, and the conical' rollers 44 journaled on the inwardly projecting ends of the studs 45 rigidly secured in the bosses 46 ofy the torsion gear chamber 2 of the casing. The surfaces-.- ofthis. casing chamber engaging with the sleeve the worm wheel 20- and the: column'head'36 andthe surfaces of the latterthree members that are in engagement, should, of course, slide with suf'- icient freedom. to permit the Jfree functional movement of these members.
The centrifugal mechanism for establishing a criterion speed is mounted on the balance wheel 26 and engages with the shaft t 23 after the fashion ot a planetary system.
This mechanism also provides a torsional connection between the shaft 23 and the balance wheel; The mechanism may embody a plurality of identical interconnected sets uniformly disposed with respect to a common center of" gravity about which the system is adapted to revolve and this condition may maintain in their various positions of operative movement. Mechanical balance is thus enhanced. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of' these sets embodies a pivoted rigid planetary member including a iiyweight'O- and a sector 51, andv a loading spring 52. These members are each pivotally c mounted on a pintle 53 rigidly secured'in a boss 54 Jr'ormedr in the web of the balance wheel 26. To insure sensitiveness in the movement of the fly-weightv or planetary members, the ball bearings 55 are interposed between each of thebearing hubs 56 and the pin-tle shaft. The teeth.` of the sectors 51 mesh with they sun gear 29. as shown in the draw-ings, the facel ot the sun gear being ,wider than that of the sectors .and of suicient length to permit the lattersliding longitudinallyfalong thev former as the balance wheel climbs or descends-its helix.
vThe loading springs 52 are conveniently applied to the ly-weights as best shown in Eig. 3, r4The adjacent pairing endsl ofeach of the helical tension springs 52 is secured by means of' a bolt 57' and a clamp orVv nut to one of a pair off angularlydisposed seats 581 which, together with the. intermediate boss 59.1, are. into a. yoke.r Eachpf these yokes-engages with an abutment GGthrough the medium of a ball! pointed adjusting screw 61 seating.A in a correspondingvrecess in the 'outer upstanding face' of the abutment-6l).
thus united in a closed F- Thesprings 52 are triangular spring system, divergently elastic. At its angles it is funiversally connectedto theY abutments through the` yolres which function as equalizers. The adjusting screws permit of suitable. adjustment and' that the helixor screw27is lett hand and i that the tension of the governor spring system and the weight'ofl the balance wheel v exert corresponding forces on the regulator mechanism. It assumes, further, that the rotation of the shaft 23' is left handed.i.A e. counter-clockwise as "viewed from above. Still further it is assumedthat the depressed position of the torsion sleeve 33 corresponds to the open position ofthe governor gear.
vIt has been previously stated that clockwise movement ofthe gate ring column 10 would be regarded -as its .gate opening movement andthe reverse movement as gate closing. These conditions maybe changed in part or completely, provided -that the resulting lill) mechanism and machine/and its elements are y properly co-ordinated and designed.
The angle of inclination of the. cam groove 37 being small, the action between this groove and its roller may be regarded in this mechanism as irreversible. rFhus when the worm wheel 2()y is rotated, the roller and groove connecting it to the. torsion sleeve 33 rotates the latter accordingly and the spline and roller connectionbetweenl the sleeve and the column head 36.1ikewiserotates the column l0.. Thus as long as th'evsleevey 33 remains immovable vertically, or in other wordsdoes not slide, the worm wheel 20 and kthe column l0. are, rotatably, rigidly connected. However-,the governor mechanism shifts the torsion sleeve axiallyg'and when this occurs, the inclination of the cam groove 37 along` which the roller 38vrolls, causes a torsional reaction between theworm wheel 20 and the column head 36, twisting. or oscillatingthe latter, consequently shifting the turbine gates. l
f The centrifugal mechanism ofV the goverlnoriis relied iipon to cor-rect and maintain the absolute yspeed of the shaft 23, andl thus themachinefto which itis rigidly connected, the. eiforts; ofl `the centriiugaly mechanism. being applied to the energy supply control through 'fthe governor. gear. .TheA inertia mechanism of the governor, of which the balance wheel is an organic part, on the other hand, is relied upon to instantaneously correct and compensate for variation in machine speed, and to stabilize the action of the centrifugal and inertia systems of the governor mechanism cooperating to produce those characteristics above specified as inherent requirements in a governor ideally meeting the service demands of a unit such as herein illustrated, and in fact the systems intermingle.
In starting, the machine is usually put into operation and brought up to normal running speed under no load. To this end the operator manipulates the hand wheel ll to apply the energy to the prime mover, in the present instance to shift the gates, opening them from the full closed position through the starting position to the running position. The governor meanwhile comes into action, its mechanism assuming a position intermediate the full open position shown in 'Figs l and 8, and a full closed position which is its other extreme position of movement, and raising the torsion sleeve correspondingly in order that the gates may be adjusted to the inherent load of the machine and obtain and maintain normal running speed. Under these conditions of operation, presuming the conditions of head and tail water or other energy supply to remain unchanged, the operation of the governor has been mainly through its centrifugal system, the centrifugal action of the fly-weights overcoming the load opposing their outward movement and thus partially closing the gates and holding them in an appropriate position. The action of the inertia mechanism under these conditions may have been merely to stimulate and steady the governor action.
If, however, an external load be applied, or the potency of the energy supply falls off', the speed of the machine will drop, and the equilibrium of the governor will be disturbed. If this occurs gradually, the action of the centrifugal mechanism of the governor will be rapid enough, but if the load results in a sudden speed drop, the inertia mechanism of the governor may effect a compensating gate adjustment before the centrifugal mechanism has had time to act, although of course the latter will co-operate in this respect. The balance wheel 26, then will oscillate relatively to the shaft 23 and its sun gear 29, first advancing and then lagging, thus providing the much desired over and under setting of the gates or other valve gear, and again enable the governor and machine speed to obtain equilibrium. rlhe action due to an increasing external load is obviously similar.
If, on the other hand, the speed of the machine increases, whether due to change in load or in potency of energy supply, the governor operation is similar but its effect is converse. If the change be gradual, the centrifugal mechanism may correct for the change as when starting the unit from rest without the assistance of the inertia mechanism. However, if the speed change be abrupt, the balance wheel 26 will again oscillate, first lagging and then advancing, until normal speed and equilibrium is again established. These fluctuations and the con` sequent governor action are commonly incessant in power plant apparatus, but their magnitude and frequency are considerably dampened by the features of the regulator herein described. l
Having thus described a single embodiment of my invention, what I claim is l. In a speed regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheel mounted to be helically movable relatively to said shaft, a planetary centrifugal mechanism vconnected to the balance wheel and to the rotatable shaft, said connection being such that the movement of the balance wheel and the centrifugal mechanism relatively to the rot-atable shaft is co-ordinated, and means for applying said movement to the regulating gear independent of the first mentioned means to cause the latter to be operated and controlled.
2. In a speed regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, an inertia member having a portion thereof helically movable relatively to said shaft, a fly-weight mounted to `be revoluble about an axis and to permit the shifting of its mass center relatively to its axis of revolution, means for co-ordinating the helical movement of the inertia member and the shifting movement of the fly-weight, and means for utilizing the co-ordinated movement of the inertia and fly-weight mechanism independent of the first mentioned means to cause the regulatinggear` to be operated and controlled.
3. In a speed regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheel mounted to be rotatably movable relatively to said shaft, a pinion rotatably rigid with said shaft, a fly-weight pivotally mounted on said balance wheel with its mass center eccentric of said pivotal axis, an arm rigid with said fly-weight, means for connecting the last mentioned arm to the pinion of said shaft to interconnect the pivotal movementof the fly-weight and the rotative movement of the balancewheel and to establish a torsional connection between the shaft and balance wheel, and means foi' utilizing the balance wheel and fly-weight movement to cause the operation and control of the regulating gear.
4. In aspeedregulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manualadjustment of said regulating gear, a helical slideway rigid with said'v shaft, a balance wheel mounted to be lielically slidable on said slideway, avcranls` pintle mounted on said balance wheel, a
centripetally loaded fly-weight eccentrically journaled onfsaid pintle, a toothed gear rigid with the rotatable shaft, a toothedfsector rigid with the fly-weight and concentric with the pivotal axis thereof, said sector meshing with said toothed gear, and means for utilizing the movement of saidbalance,
Journalled on said pintle, a toothed gear rigid with the rotatable shaft, a toothed sector rigidy with the fly-weight and concentric with the pivotal axis thereof, said sector meshing with said toothed' gear, and means, swivel-connected to the balance wheel, adapted to apply the axial movement of the same to the regulating gear independent of the first mentioned means. f
6. In a speedV regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment Aof saidregulating gear, a balance wheel mounted concentrically of said shaft to be rotatable relatively thereto', a plurality of' crank pintles mounted on said-balance wheelin angularly spaced relation, a {1y-weight eccentrically journaled on each of the pintles, means for connecting the fly-weights to said rotatable shaft to impart a planetary movement to the former as the balance wheel rotates relatively to the latter, a spring reacting between a pairl of the fly-weights to load them against movement `in one direction, and means for applying the movement of the balance wheel and fly-weights to the regulating gear independent of the first mentioned means.-
In a'lspeed regulator, the combination of va rotatable shaft, a regulating gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manual adjustment of said regulating gear, a balance wheelv mounted con` centrically of said shaft to be rotatable relatively thereto, a plurality of crankpintles mounted on said balance wheel in angularly spaced relation, a fly-weight concentrically journalled on eachl of the pintles, means for connecting the fly-weights as a planetary system to said rotatable shaft, Va tension spring extending from a moment arm of one of the fly-weights toward the next succeeding fly-weight and reacting between its anchorages to yieldingly load the fly-weight system, and means for applying the movement of the balance wheel andffiyweight s -stem to the reo'ulatino Oearinde-v b b b b pendent of the first mentioned means. y y
8. In a speed regulator, the combination of a rotatable shaft, `a regulatingV gear through which said shaft extends, means to facilitate manualadjustment of said regulating gear, a balance,V wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of crank pintles mounted on said balance wheel i-n angularly spaced relation, a fly-weight eccentrically `iournalled on each of the pintles, means for connectingthe fly-weights as a planetary system to said rotatable shaft,v
a two armed equalizer pivotally connected to a moment arm of each of the fly-weights, a tension spring extending from each ofv the arms of'each of the equalizers to the adjacent varm of the equalizer of the next succeeding iiy-weiglit, and means for applying the energy of the functional movement of the iiy-weights and balance wheel to the regulating gear independent ofthe rst men.'- tioned means. v
9. The combination of a gate` adjusting column, a regulating gear adapted for rotating said column, manually actuated means adapted for rotating said -regulating'gean means including a reciprocable sleeve for establishing an operative connection between said column and said regulating gear for manual adjustment of said column'rand an operative connection adapted for column adjustment by power, power means, anda adapted to reciprocate saidsleeve and cause vsaid sleeve to rotate said column.
llO
10. The combination of a rotary head,
lpower means coaxially of 'said head adapted to rotatesaid head, manually actuated means at the side of said head adapted to rotate said head, a regulating gear and sleeve adjacent said head and establishinga driving Vrelation between said head and its manually` actuting means, said sleeve being interposed between said head vand said power means and actuated by the latter and adapted to establish an operative connectionl between said power means and said regulating gear, and Y governor means adapted to be actuated by said power means to move said sleeve independently of said manually actuated means. sleeve and said head, and means adapted for 10 l1. The Combination of a gate adjusting sliding said sleeve.
head, a gear at said head, manual means to In testimony whereoil I affix my signature facilitate adjusting said gear, asleeve slidin presence of two witnesses.
"'- able axially of said head and gear and having a constant driving relation with said ALLEN A. HORTON. head and gear, the driving relation between Witnesses: said gear and sleeve being such that sliding J. E. HALL,
of said sleeve causes partial rotation of said M. H. HoLMEs.
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2456746A (en) * 1943-12-17 1948-12-21 Aven Mfg Corp Speed governor
US2474203A (en) * 1943-02-22 1949-06-21 Honeywell Regulator Co Control apparatus
US2500478A (en) * 1943-04-15 1950-03-14 Henry E Warren Speed governor
WO2019104197A1 (en) * 2017-11-22 2019-05-31 Mercier Cesar Fluid displacement turbine

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2474203A (en) * 1943-02-22 1949-06-21 Honeywell Regulator Co Control apparatus
US2500478A (en) * 1943-04-15 1950-03-14 Henry E Warren Speed governor
US2456746A (en) * 1943-12-17 1948-12-21 Aven Mfg Corp Speed governor
WO2019104197A1 (en) * 2017-11-22 2019-05-31 Mercier Cesar Fluid displacement turbine

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