US215278A - Improvement in flumes for turbine wheels - Google Patents

Description

W. M. MILLS. Plumes` for Turbine-Wheels. No. 215,278. Patiented May 13, 1879.

N'FFERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAFH. WASHINGTON. D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

WILLIAM M. MILLS,

OF DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLUMES FOR TURBINE WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,278, dated May 13, 1879; application filed I March 13, 1879.

'To all whom fit 'may concern:

' obstructions, which not only frequently stop or seriously impede the rotation of the wheel, but also break the iloats or otherwise damage the wheel. lt is the purpose of my invention to obviate this difficulty by intercepting all such obstructions and preventing their passage through the wheel.

The novelty consists in introducing the head-water at a point in the ilume below the level of the ingates of the wheel, so that all heavier foreign bodies, such as sand, gravel, or stones, are deposited in the bottom of the ilume and thereby prevented from passing through the Wheel.

Italsov consists in the application to the flume of a grating located between the inlet opening of the flume and the ingates of the wheel,and below the level of the ingates of the wheel, whereby all floating foreign bodies, such as sticks and the like, are prevented from passing through the wheel.

It finally consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts conducive to the object in view, all as will be herewith set forth and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central sectional elevation of the pen-stock or fiume and contained wheel with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same through the line x :v of Fig. l.

A represents the pen-stock or fiume, which in this case is an upright cylindrical case made water-tight. B is the tail-discharge or drafttube, of proper length and capacity to carry oif the water in 4its passage from Athe wheel. This tube passes up centrally through the bottom of the fiume A, and terminates at a point midway between the top and bottom ofthe ilume. Its top is flanged, as represented, and serves as a seat for the wheel O, whose case rests thereon, as shown. At any point below the level of the gates of the wheel l introduce the headwater into the flume through the induction tube or pipe D, which is of proper capacity to furnish all the water required. This tube is provided with a suitable regulating Vvalve or gate and the ordinary or any suitable means of operating it, whereby the water may be in part or in whole shut off from the flume, as the occasion requires. The flume is also provided .with an outlet-aperture, of a size sufficient to admit the passage of a mans body, vif necessary. This aperture is covered by a suitable water-tight valve or gate, E, which can be opened or closed from above by any 'suitable mechanism and proper connections. The location of this aperture is immaterial, further than its bottom should he nearly on, or on, a level with the bottom of the ilume.V F represents a spider or skeleton frame, tted around the drafttube at or near its top,

`and serving as a support whereon to rest a grating or screen,Gr, which may be of any suitable construction, though perhaps that shown in Fig. 2 is the best. This grating I preferablyTv make in two, three, or more sections, so that if one of them should by any mischance be broken it can be replaced without the trouble or expense of furnishing and applying an entire new grating.

By lthis construction `and arrangement of the wheel, draft-tube, and inlet, the water, when admitted to the flume, rises init and fills it, and upon opening thegates of the wheel it escapes through the wheel, which it turns, and passes out through the draft-tube to the tail-race.

By elevating the wheel in the flume above the inlet-opening all the heavier foreign mat ters, such as stones, gravel, and sand, which are swept into the flume by the influx of the water are deposited upon the bottom ofthe flume, below the wheel, and cannot possibly get into the wheel to clog or injure it; and, by the employment of the grating or screen, through which the water has to pass before it enters the wheel, all floating rubbish, such as sticks and the like, are caught and prevented from entering the wheel.

When the accumulation of rubbish in the flume clogs the grating to such an extent as to interfere with the passage of water through it, which fact is ascertained by the diminished power and speed of the wheel-spindle, the gates of the wheel and the gate or valve of theinduction-pipe are closed. Now, upon opening the gate E the water in the flume rushes out, carrying with it the rubbish, which, adhering to the under side of the grating, clogged it. This frees the grating, and by leaving open the gate E and opening the induction-gate the water rushes through the lower part of the ume and carries with it nearly ii' not all of the heavier accumulations, such as stone, gravel, or sand, which had settled on the bottom of the ilume. Whenever it is deemed necessary, a man can enter the flume through the gateway E and remove any heavy stones or other substances not carried out by the water.

While I have described and claim the application of the grating or screen in the fiume, still it may be dispensed with without ati'eoting the principle which my invention embodies; and

What I claim as new isA l. A Hume or pen-stock for turbine water wheels, having the wheel elevated within said iume, and having the opening for the inflow of the water at a point below the level of the ingates of the wheel, whereby all sedimentary and foreign matters are deposited inthe bottom of the ume and prevented from passing through the wheel, as set forth.

2. In a flume or pen-stock for turbine waterwheels, a screen or grating located between the inlet-opening in said flume and below the level lof the in gates of the wheel, whereby the water for running the wheel is caused to pass through said grating in its passage to the wheel, and whereby foreign bodies are caught and prevented from passing through the wheel, as specified.

3. In a penstock or fiume for turbine waterwheels, having the wheel elevated therein, and

having the opening for the inow of the water at a point below the level of the ingates of the wheel, a discharge-outlet located at or near the'bottom oi' said pen-stock, whereby the accumulated rubbish may be removed from the pen-stock, as specified.

Witness my hand this 20th day of February, A. D. 1879.

WILLIAM M. MILLS.

Witnesses GHAs. M. PECK, JAMES O. JEFFERYs.

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