US1586753A - Combination trash rack and radial gate - Google Patents

Description

June l 1926. 3,58*@753 J. LEQN/R COMBINATION TRASH RACK AND RADIAL GATE Filed RarCh 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l S14/Dank@ 1 /f//f/W? June l 1926.

` J. A. LEONARD COMBINATION TRASH RACK AND RADAL GATE Filed March 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 21T 7%. ma

. hf/l. WMM Inl/ULL 0 Num e 3 me Z m 3 V 6 w V Patented June 1, 1926.

UNTEB STATES PATENT ortica.

JAMES A. LEONARD, OF LEXVISTON, MAINE, ASSGNOB/ TO S. MORGAN SMITH COM- PANY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, A GC)RPORA'JIONy 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINATION TRASH RACK AND RADIAL GATE.

Application filed March 23, 1925.

This invention relates to trash racks for water power plants, and the purpose of the same is to prevent fioating or water-logged timber, ice, branches of trees and other d- S bris from clogging the passages of water wheels or runners of turbine and other analogous installations.

rFliese r clis usually consist of metal bars arranged in the form of a grating and spaced in accordance with the dimensions of the wheel or runner, the said racks being disposed a short distance upstream from the entrance to the wheel chambers or fiumes, so that any water reaching the turbines must first pass through the raclrs, and by this means all dbris is caught and held and prevented from reaching the water wheels. A common practice has been to iX these racks firmly in position, and the trash can only 39 be removed by the efforts of one or a. number of operators laboriously raking them with long-handled rakes or by means of expensive and complicated machines of doubtful value.

The present invention consists in fastening a rack of suitable design toa properly formed radial or Taintor gate, the. rack and gate being so arranged that when the gate is lifted through the water to a predetermined elevation or proper position, the rubbish or dbris which has collected on the raclt will be washed automatically from the surface of the rack and carried downstream over a properly designed spillway or through a trough or canal.

The advantages of the proposed improvements are manifold and among others may be mentioned that owing to the combination of the head gate and raclr, the initial eX- Vpense of construction and installation is considerably less than by the use of the older fined form of rack, and considerable saving ensues in the construction of the masonry of the intakes. With a motor operated hoist of well understood form one operator can clean all of the racks in a large power plant in a short time. As each water wheel or turbine is provided with two or more gates and racks, the racks can be thoroughly cleaned without shuttingy down the wheel, and furthermore, incase of tlanr age to the raclrs, they can be' lifted entirely out of thewater and the full length thereof will then be exposed to view for inspection Serial No. 17,728.

and repair. Owing to the fact that the racks and gates are entirelyl submerged below the ice line, neither' fixed ice nor socalled anchor ice will interfere with them, and the submergence of the bars constituting the components of the rack in water below the ifrost line will prevent ice from freezing to them, and as a consequence the ordinary trouble resulting from anchor ice will be largely eliminated. It is also possible in accordance with the features of the present invention and desirable that under certain conditions the gates be made entirely automatic by means of motors operated by a flo-at located back of or downstream from the racks, and by this means, when the racks become so clogged with leaves, ice or other dbris that the surface of the water is lower back of the racks than upstream, the ioat will start the motor and the racks will rise until the dbris is washed off; after which the water will assume the same elevation above and below the rack and gate, and the' rack will then be automatically lowered to its first or normal position.

In the drawings preferred embodiments of the improved trash ra-cl; and gate are shown to illustrate the essential features of the invention, and therein Fig. l is a cross section through a turbine installation and the masonry incident there vto together with the intake therefor, showing the impro-ved combined rack and gate in transverse section in closed and open posiu tic-ns, respectively, in full and dotted lines together with means diagrammatically illustrated for controlling the open and closed positions of the combined device.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the bottom or arcuate or gate member of the improved rack and gate.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale of the improved rack and gate.

F ig. l is a front side elevation of a portion of the rack, showing the rods or bars and the means for holding the same.

F ig. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical section showing means for forming a water seal at the horizontal sill at the bottom of the gate; w

The numeral 5 designates masonry or con crete' work comprising a chamber er 5 in which is installed a turbine T, an intake 8 and a tail-race 9, into which the draft tube l0 ot the turbine discharges in a well known manner. The turbine as shown by Fig. l is of the horizontal type but may berepla'ced by the vertical 'type ot' turbine. The intake 8, as usual, is located at the upstream portion o't' a fiume or raceway ll. land above the same and the turbine installation and masonry is a motor hoist l2, which is diagranr matically represented, having a cable or analogous device 123 associated therewith and depending therefrom .tor a purpose which will be presently explained. A spillway 14 is provided lover the arch or enclosure 15 of masonry or concrete work for forming the passage or chamber 6, and at the base of the intake is an elevated breast or ridge 1G of masonry or conc-rete work, preferably ot truncated form, to provide a bottom sill which forms part of a gate and trasli-rack-receiving space or ser. i 17, located immediately in rear thereof. All ot the features et structure thus iar described are well known in the art oi turbine installation and may be modiiied indefinitely, as the featuresl of the intention are not dependentupon any precise structure ot masonry or concrete wor-k and particular turbine installation and spillway or analogous relief means.

The essential Jfeature of the invention consists of a combined trash rack 1S and gate 19, presenting a` substantially triangular structure which is pivoted at its apex or upper end QG to any suitable supportingr means for a. pivot or fulcrum 2l, which is preferably located at the upper forward ei;- tremity of the arch or enclosure l5. The combined trash rack and gate as shown by Figs. l and 3 has an arcuate base or bottom 2Q., constituting the gate member, the curve ot this member being struck from the upper pivot 2l as a center. The combined trash rack and gate which is shown on an enlarged scale by Fig. 3 may be constructed in any manner desired to obtain economy in organization and at the same time give the greatest etiiciency and strength and durability iu service. Generally speaking, the rack and gate will respectively comprise a number ot I-beams 23 and associated to diverge towards the bottom or gate member 22 from the upper reduced extremity oi the device and counter-braced, vfor instance, by I-beams 25 connecting the beams 23 of the trash-rack member 18. At the upper couverge-:l end of the gate a suitable beam-embracing structure or web 26 will be applied, and at the lower en'd oit the trash rack reinforcing beams 27 and braces 28 will be provided as shown by Fig. Between the lower or divergent ends of the beams 23 and Qfl the arcuate bottom or gate member 22 of the combined device is located and consists preferably ot a suitable sheet metal closure 29- wilh cross beams ISH ol' Lloria. which are secured at their ends lo the etui structures of the combined rack and At intervals, also, tie braces or reini'o ug devices 3l will be introduced between the beams Q3 and 2l at a comp ativcly short distance upwardly from the a rcuatc gate :2Q comprising the metal sheathing 2i). and as may be found necessary in various installations to meet different contingencies other structural features may be added to increase the operative efliciency of the combined rack and gate, the essential 'feature of which .s the combination ot the two devices. Over the beams which are spaced at regular intervals, bars or rods 32 are secured and spaced any suitable distance and also braced between the beams 23 by rods 2325. The rods or bars 32 may be of any form and extend fully across the rack. The rear beams Qt are spaced apart a suitable distance to provide for tree passage oi water into the chamber 6 for supplying the. turbine installation and materially adding to the strength oit the complete device. The cableT chain or analogous device 13 depends from and is attached to the lower reinforced construction of the rack 1S as indicated in iiull and dotted lines in Fig. l, so that the motor-operated hoist l2 may raise and lower the combined rack and gate as also indicated by tull ani dotted lines in Fig. l.

A special iorm o'tz water seal organization is provided for the bottom ot' the coinbined rack and gate and particularlyy for cooperation with the arcuate sheet metacnclosure 29 comprised in the structure oi' the arcuate base or bottom QQ which. constitu Fig. 5 and is located atl the upper reduced portion oi the breast or ridge lo which provides the bottom sill for the 1 jatc. This water seal organization comprises in its pri terred construction a cast-iron or other mctallic box having a pcriiorated removable cover enclosure 35, thc box with its cover being inset iu the upper rear angie o the sill. The box or enclosure il-lhas a rear inclined side 36 with an opening :3T cxtendimr the full length thereon, and in this box or enclosure a steel or other suitable rod 11N is loosely mounted and has a rubber or anal` ogous sheathing or covering lli?. 'the bottom of the box or enclosure as at itl is inclined downwardly and rearv-:ardly to as sist in the operation of the rod lh. fria-u the arcuate gate or member 22 is raised o shut the water out ot' the thune. the rod 88 will roll against the gate and the pressure of thewater admitted through the perforations or apertures ot the iid or cover will force the rod tightly against the gate. in View of the tact that a portion of the said Lasarte rod will be projected through the opening 37. As there is no water pressure back ot the gate or the rod, the desired tight seal between the rod and the arcuate gate will be maintained and prevent leakage ot the water between the gate and the sill. By this means, when the gate is raised to bring the rack member 18 into upper position for cleaning purposes, the water will be completely sluit oit from the turbine.

The operation of the improved combined rack and gate structure is very simple. When the combined device is elevated as illustrated by dotted lines through the operation of the chain, cable or analogous device 18, the raclr 18 is disposed at the upper level ot the water, which flows over the rack and washes ott the collected dbris there'lrom, the debris passing rearwardly through the spillway or other outlet leldownstream and away from the installation. After the rack has been cleaned, it will be lowered to the position shown in full lines by F 1 through a reverse operation ot the cable, chain or similar device 13, thereby bringing;i the raclr 1S into normal position and opening the flume for the free flow ot water to the turbine installation.

Instead of using the motor hoist 12 with its cable or analogous device 13 as shown, any suitable means may be adopted which performs the same function and including the well known float organization. It is also proposed to modiiy the proportions of the several yparts ot the combined device to adapt the same to various applications, and further, to incorporate therein various structural features that will add to the strength and durability ot the complete combined rack and gate. It will be obvious that the combined rack and gate herein disclosed may operate with either a horizontal or vertical turbine installation with equal eiliciency.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

1. In a device for water power plants of the class speci'ed, the combination with a part of the plant, of a radial gate converg ing towards its upper extremity and pivotally attached to a part ot the plant at said extremity, the gate comprising a iront straight rack and a. lower curved closed bottom uniformly movable with the said straight rack.

2. In a device for water power plants of the class speciiied, the combination with a portion oit lthe plant, ot a radial gate comprising a front straight rack and a lower curved closed bottom connected for uniform movement and converging towards the upper reduced extremity of the gate which is pivoted to a part of the plant and whereby the front rack may be elevated for cleaning the same and the flow ot water sluit oli by the bottom part of the gate.

3. In a water power plant, the co1nbina tion with a fiume, an upper overflow means and a turbine installation, ot' a radial gate coierging towards its upper extremity and hai ing said extremity pivotally connected to a part ot the plant below the overflow, the gate comprising a front straight raclr and a lower curved closure connected to and movable uniformly with the'raclr whereby the rack may be raised for cleaning and the flow of water to the turbine installation checked during the cleaning operation.

el. The combination of a water power plant comprising a flume, an upper overflow from the fiume and a turbine installation around which the overflow passes, a radial. gate converging towards its upper extremity and pivoted to a part oi: the plant below the overtiow and comprising a forward straight rack and a lower closed curved gate connected to the rack for unitary movement, the combined rack and gate having a substantially triangular torni and whereby when the rack is raised for cleaning purposes the gate will cut oiil the flow ot water irom the flume.

The combination oi? a water power plant comprising a flume, a turbine installation and an upper overflow around the turbine installation, a combined forward rack and lower arcuate closing gate connected to the rack for unitary movement therewith, the rack and gate having a substantially triangular form and pivotally connected to a part of the plant at its upper reduced apex extremity, and means connected to the lower portion of the rack for raising the latter within the cleaning influence of the overflow means and bring the arcuate gate in closing position relatively to the flume and, conversely, for lowering the rack and the arcuate gate.

6. A water power plant comprising a `l'lnme, a turbine installation, an upper overflow trom the fiume around and past the turbine installation, a lower seat structure at the base ot the thune and in advance o' the turbine installation, and a forward rack having a lower arcuate closing gate connected thereto for unitary movement, the raclr and gate being ot substantially triangular form and pivot-ally connected at the upper reduced apex extremity thereof to a part of the plant, the lower arcuate gate normally resting in the said seat, and means for raising and lowering the unitary rack and gate.

7. A device Jfor water power plants of the specified consisting ot a rear trame, a iront rack and a lower closure structure all connected to move as a unit, the frame and rack diverging from an upper reduced eX- tremity to the said closure means, and means for pivotally mounting the upper reduced extremity of the device.

8. A turbine installation, a fiume leading to the latter, and an overflow at the upper part of the :thune around the turbine instal lation, all of the class speeilied, and a lower e and a 'trout rack connected to and inove as a unit with the gate in the thune in reliance ot the turbine iistallation, the gate anfl raei: having` (linie: lions corresponding to the depth and width o1 the l'iuine, the gate having a vert-'cal xxteiit when open to e1;- clude the llow el" water theieover or thereunder to the turbine installation.

t). The combination wit-h a. water power plant having,- a turbine installation and a suppl).7 thune with an intake coniinunicating,` with the chamber ot the said installation, ot a lower ,ga-t1 and trout rack connected tor unitary openingv and closing iiioif'enieiitsI and disposed in the said intake, the unitary gate anti rack being piro-teil at the upper e1;- treiiiity thereof, the lluine lia-:ing i'cliet ine-anel for e; Tying the water past the turbine installation, and in l:uns tor raising and lowering the coinbii ed gate and rack, the rack and gate when elevated closing oli' the liow ot water to the turbine installation and permitting the rack to be automatically cleaned by the water flowing thereover.

l0. The combination with a turbine installation having a water supply coininunieating with a lluine by ineens ot' an intake, the. tianie being provided with ineens 'tor Carrying the water downstrean'i past the ins allation, a, forward rack nie; ns and lower gate combined tor unitary niovtnient and pivotally connected at. the upper extremity thereof to a part ot the turbine installation, operating,` inea s connected to the rack and gate Jfor raising); and lowerinthe saine, inov able ineans located at the lower tori 'ard portion ot the installation tor forming a watertight joint with the gate, the rack being exposed when elevated to a cleaning tlow ot the water to reniove trash, debris and other iceuinulations therelroin.

ll. 'the combination with a turbine installation having water supply ineans, ot a ark pivotally conneetet` at its upper end to ay part ot the installation and provided with a lower aicuate closing` ,ejate inovaliile as a unit therewith and ot such extent as to prevent overtlow ot the water ot' the Supply ineans tlieieovcr to the urbine installation, and nieehanisni igor `arisingand lowering` the iaek and gate, the ack when 'aised beingautomatically elaiied and 'treed ot trash, dbris and other accumulations by the water flowing` thereover and the libe ated t ash,

det; and other accumulations carried oli elerr it the turbine installation.

l2. fr turbine installation having;l :i water eunjly nieaus. combined with a rack having ower closing fate connected to and niore as a unit sith the i'aek, the rack and l e unit being pi voted at its upper `xtreniity Vo respectively elevate the rai-k to an upi i port-ion of the sui'ipli`- nie-ans anal tertiraily through the latter to perniit the water to autoniafi'ieall)v clean the rack and cause trash, dbris and othe accumulations to llow awaj," clear et the turbine installation and also during' such latter operation to arise the fate to shut oli' the water supply troni the turbine installation.

13. "lhe eonibination with a turbine installation including niasonry loiniing a Supply chainlicr tor the turbine and also providing an intake having' a lower sill, olV a raelv 'votally connect-ed at its upper end to the upper portion ot the installation and having a rate secured to and niovable therewith a unit upwardly and downwardly through the suppl;v ineans, the gate nioi'ini,y

close to the rear portion ot the sill, operating nieans ir ra ng and lowering the rack :uil gate, and z, water seal organization in the sill and consisting ot a inovnung-ite( able iieans' eoiitrollal by wate pressure to contact i 'i 'li the gat and prevent leakage ot vater through the lower portion or the gate when the latter is rained to eut oil' the supply o t water to the turbine installation and dispose the i'aek in position ior cleaning ae eiiinuiations theretoni.

l. rthe combination with a turbine instan ation including chanibered inasonry hav wter sipply nieans and an intake togetrrc" with a lower sill, ot a rack povotally toene 'l a; its upper end to a portion ot tue insa lation and having.:- a lower gate ot JAMES it. LEONARD.

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