US2295495A - Whirl deflecting vane for hydraulic turbines - Google Patents

Description

Sept, 8, 1942., A. F. ANDERSON 95,

WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES I Filed June 10, 1941 y Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGURE Sept. 8, 1942; A. F. ANDERSON 2,295,495

-WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Filed June 10, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGURE 2 INVENTOR.

6 Sheds-Sheet 3 WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Sept. 8

Sept. 8, 1942. A. F. ANDERSON WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Filed June 10, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 W INVENTOR Sept. 8, 1942. A. F. ANDERSON WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Filed June 10, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 3 Q mm INVENT OR.

Sept. A. F. ANDERSON 2,295,495

WHIRL DEFLECTING VANES FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Filed June 10, 194] 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F I 6. I7

INVENTOR. Maw

FIGL/IQE I8 FIVGURE and 'to their inlet andoutlet pipes. be applied-to fansand'air ducts.

Patented Sept. 8, 1942 UNITED "STATES PATENT eerie-E vlHIHL DEFEECT-ING VANE FOR HYDRAULIC TURBINES Aibert.F..-Anflerson, San'Francisco, 'Calif.

{Application June -1-0,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic turbines and appertaining penstocks and draft tubes. It may e150 be-applied to other hydraulic apparatus 'such as centrifugal pumps More specifically, this invention relates to improvements in anti-swirl vanes and in the means used in their application to hydraulic apparatus; the invention comprising principally of new and more convenient methods of installing these vanes in-new and old turbines.

Anti-swirl vanes "are employed in hydraulic turbines primarily tosuppress power swings in the electrical transmission Iinesof'hy'droelectric power plants, eitherby altering the power swing frequency of each turbine generator unit so that the frequency will be inharmonic with all "other units and with the natural frequency or thepower swings in the transmission system itself,;or by reducing the -magnitude-of the'swingsin each turbine generator unit interconnected with the system.

These vanes also improve the efficiency of -hydraulic turbines and of the governing mechanism.

The more advantageous design of most hydraulic turbines is such that its discharge will havea whirl; but to allow this whirlto continue throughout the lengthof the-drafttube is a-decided disadvantage and means for reducing the whirling flow without introducing-a-bafiling effect on the fiowisattained bytheuse of anti swirl vanes which-deflects'the whirling flow into a more direct course through the tube.

The function, construction and modeof operation of these vanes has been explained in the specification of United States Patent 'No.

2,244,479 which has been granted to meronJune 3, 1941; and in the .following description .it'will be assumed that the general functioningofxthe vane is understood together with that of the turbine.

themoderately whirling flow of the turbine 'dis charge, applying'little or no 'de'flectingforce on the streamuntil the whirl becomes' excessive and tends to turn the vane about itspivot. 'The vane 55 It also may 194L SeriaI-NO. 397,353 7 yildsto this turning e'ifort in a limiteddegree only and with progressively-increasingresistance; therebyefiecting-adeflecting force on the stream which guides it into the desired a course without imposing a bafiling effect thereon.

The vanes resistanceto turning'is provided-by 'resilientmeans, usually by means of a torsion red made o'f spring bronze or *spring steel.

The-resilient meansemployed must be capable -of=restoring the vane to its normal position instantly; since Fin some turbines violent -vortices are formed at very rapid rates; or more than one or two per second.

An undesirable *whirling flow may-eal-sodevelop at the in'letsof turbines -and pump's. Inthe case of turbines having "vertical or steeply inclined v penstocks a --sl iglit whirl is very likely to develop and at the bends 1 or elbows o'f such a penstock :the whirling flow m-ay be greatly accentuated; causing considerable increase in theresistance' to the flow besides adversely afiectingtheoperation of the turbine.

By employing anti-swirl vanes at the'bends of --pens'tocks thewhirling fiow 'can be counter- 125 -atell jus'tfas'itis done in draft tubes.

I-faving thus, in -a general way, described .the

inveritionantldts ob'jets, itwill now be described \indetail 1 and for --this purpose reference will be 'ha'd toathe acc'ompanyingdrawings in whihthe 30 invention h as' been illustrated I and in which:

Figure 1 represents a diametfical section through -a hydraulic turbine and-theuppenpart "of its draft' tube; the turbinebeing of the vertical shaft type.

-Figure Z-isen'd view lookingin the direction -:.of arrows 2- 2 Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a 'diametrical section of the-flexible shaft coupling designated by numeral 45 in Figure l; I 40 Figure '4 is-"asection taken on line 4-i, Fig- *Figure-Ta is a view similar to that shown in Figure 1, showing --aslightly modified form of construction;

Figure-dis a sideelevationdooking-to the'left 'in Figure -S;

"Figure'Tis-a section takenon line l'.-"1,'Figure 5;

Figure 81s a horizontal section through-a draft tubeshowing-a modified form of-vane;

Figure '9 is a-vertical diametrical section taken on line 99, Figure 8; I V

Figure 10 is a longitudinal diametricalisection '-through the -vane-assemb1y-shownin Figures 8 and' 9;

Figure 11 is a transverse section taken on line Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a section taken on line |2-|2, Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a section taken on line |3|3, Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 15 is an end elevation looking through plane ||5, Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 14, but with parts removed;

Figure 17 is an elevation looking in the direction of arrow II, in Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is a diametrical section through a portion of a hydraulic turbine of the high specific speed type.

Figure 1 illustrates one means of attaining adjustment of the vane setting from the turbine governor. The automatic or self operating ability of the vane mechanism remaining undisturbed during the adjustment process. 7

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show details of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 2 being a view looking in the direction of arrows 22, and Figures 3 and 4 illustrating a resilient shaft coupling of no special significance since the required resilience is attained with the usual means; the coupling merely serves to connect this means to the vane and afford additional resilience. However, such a coupling may be an aid to the dampening of vibration in some instances.

Referring first to Figure 1, the various parts of the hydraulic turbine have been designated by numerals; the same numerals applying to Figure 5 which shows a similar view of a turbine.

Numeral 39 designates the turbine runner, and 3| its shaft; to which it is secured by coupling bolts 32. steady bearing 33.

Below the turbine runner is the upper portion of the draft tube 34 with its steel liner 35.-

The inlet to the turbine runner is formed by walls of the scroll case 36 which have stay-vanes 31, past which the water must flow to enter the turbine runner 30; the control of the water being regulated by wicket gates 38 which are pivotally mounted so that they may be turned by means of their stems 39, which are interconnected by means of levers, links and pins to shifting ring 49 through which means, the governor adjusts the wicket gates 38 and controls the speed of the turbine.

The angular movement of wicket gates 38 depends on the design of the turbine and usually they are not required to turn much more than fifty degrees in order to move the gates from their closed position to their fully opened position.

Only one whirl deflecting vane 4| has been shown on Figure 1, its shaft 42 is positioned by bearing 43 having stufling box 44 and thrust bearing 45. A shaft coupling 46 serves to connect shaft 42 to rod 41 which is made of resilient material such as spring bronze or spring steel.

The other end of this rod is enlarged as it passes through bearing 48 and to its extreme end is immovably secured an adjustable anchor in the form of a worm quadrant 49; illustrated in Figure 2, where the adjusting worm 59 and its supporting bearings 5| together with thrust collars 52, are also shown.

The necessary angular movement and required restraining force for the operation of the whirl deflecting vane 4|, is regulated by the torsion The shaft is positioned by the lower:

rod 41 which is proportioned so as to allow some movement to the vane 4| while its end is securely held by anchor quadrant 49.

In the operation of most turbines the conditions are such that the most favorable angular position of the vane 4| is more or less dependent on the gate opening of the turbine; corresponding to the angular position of wicket gates 38 and in some installations it will be desirable to interconnect the whirl deflecting vane 4| with the wicket gates 38 through suitable means in order to maintain the most favorable relationship under varying operating conditions.

One such means is that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprising a transmision system composed of gears and shafting with their supporting parts such as brackets, bearings and coverings. Through this transmission system any rotation or angular movement in the wicket gate 38 will produce a corresponding angular movement of lesser degree in the vane anchor quadrant 49 and thereby effect a change in the angular position of vane 4| accordingly.

For most turbines the angular movement or rotation of the anchor quadrant 49 need not be more than five or ten degrees in so far as the operating range of the turbine is concerned, but in shutting down the turbine, the quadrant and consequently the vane 4| will be rotated through greater angles.

Since the turbine governor usually operates the wicket gates 38 it will also control the position of anchor quadrant 49 and alter the neutral position of vane 4| through the mechanical transmission system illustrated.

In this system the bevel gear 53 is keyed to an extension of a gate stem 39 and is rotated thereby; and being meshed with its companion gear 54, which is immovably attached to the shaft 55, causes it to rotate the vertical shaft 56 by means of miter gears 51 housed in a case 58. Both shafts 55 and 56 are shown sheathed with tubes 59 and 69 and provided with suitable bearings 6|,

The rotary movement of shaft 5'6 is communicated to the adjusting worm 59 through the shaft coupling 62 which connects the two in a manner that may provide some back-lash (or free play) if such a back-lash is found to be desirable.

The meshing of the worm threads with the worm teeth of anchor quadrant 49 completes the transmission system.

It is understood of course, that other transmission devices or systems can supplant the use of the mechanical power transmission system shown and described, without detracting from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the claims. As an example of a suitable power transmitting system attention is called to the various kinds of rudder control devices employed on large ships, some of which are electrical and some hydraulical.

In Figure 3 a sectional view of shaft coupling 46 is shown. ,Figure 4 is a cross-section of the coupling viewing it in the direction of arrows 44 in order to illustrate that resilient material 63, such as live rubber, is interposed between the jaws of the two halves of the coupling. Such couplings are not new and need no further explana tion.

Another mechanical transmission employing shafting and gears is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 which illustration, also shows an improvement in the Whirl deflecting vane 4|-A. This vane is applicable to turbines which are so designed 9,295,465 'that'the whirl intheir drafttubes -rotates in-one direction only. i I g The vane -4-|=A and -'its shaft or ste'm -2-A are also providedwith ports Tor-admitting a-iri'nto the'tui'bine drafttiibe. V a

The practiceof admitting air int the draft tubes of turbines is not new and in many turbineshavingno whirl deflecting vane's, some-benefitfin the regula tion or governingof the' tuibine has been experienced ftherebyand "it is "quite possible that some benefit '-may also bederivd by admitting a small quantity of-air into "draft tube of turbines that do *have whirl deflecting vanes.

In the illustrationsof Eigures 5 and 'fi 'tlie ue- 7 quiredequalizing and restraining force or't-he operation of the whirl deflecting vane- I' A, is

supplied by nieansofanair cushion provided by theda sh-pot-mechanism shown.

For convenience the entire dash-pot mechanism has been desi nated by the numemi '64.

On account of mechanism being subject to adjustment from the turbine governor it ismounted-onabase Eden-whichit'm'ayslide bodily. f'Ihe limits of its 'movements f-rom the 'rnid p os'ition (shown in full lines on the drawing "Figure 6) are indicated by dotted lines at both ends-of the 'mechanism.

This movement is made by means of 'shaft 56-=A which rotate's in a pinion 66 secured-to its lower end and which engages with a cooperating rack 61 attached to the dash-pot frame-G4.

The dotted lines '68 represent guide'sin which the frame slides and by which -it is held'inal-ignm'e'nt.

Y The endwise movement of the dash-pot frame 54 effects -a -force in one direction or the other, according to the direction of the movement, through helical springs 69 which function to centralize the positionof thedash-potpi-stonIU and this 'forceis communicated tothe whirl-f defiecting vane ii-A through the :mechanism shown, comprising thepiston '19,- its-rod"I- l crosshead assembly 12, connecting rod 13, prank -14 and the vane shaft or stem 42 -A.

' dash-pot shown in the illustration is of the double acting type but this'type-is not essential in the case-of turbines -whosewhirl rotates inonedi're'ction only.

When piston it is 'in the mid position, both ends of the cylinder or dash-pot 15 are opened to' the influences of atmospheric pressure 'through port'lfi; and when the plstonTD-is 'move'done way or the other by the forces imposed on va ne 4 I --'A,

airis confined inone end of-t'he dash-pot fi and i is compressed, providing a cushioning 'efiect.

When the forces tending to turn 'vane '4 l-A are remove'd the-air cushion with the aid 'o'f the helicalspringsiia forces the vaneto return to its neutral position.

In Figures 5 and 6 the power required t'o chan'ge the -adjustment of theapparatus 'controllin'g the nor through its serv'omotor; neither of which are extends from the upper reg-ion urine turbine to "1161 w stay v anes t l.

Figure 7 has been drawn to illustrate this feature somewhat further; the figure represents a sectional iila'n view-ofthatportion of the turbine embraced by-the arrows 1+! on Figure 5 showing both the fixed stay vanes 31 and the pivoted wicketr'gates 'tiljn cross-section.

"The shaft 56-A and its sheath Gil-A is also *shown inlc'ro'ss-section. I V

The figure also shows I air pipe T1 in cross-"s'ection 'and i-t may be presumed that this pipe conhosts with the air pipe 18 as sn'own in Figure 6.

Referring again to Figurefi air pipe Hi-is connect'ed to thehollowshaft'or vane-stem '42,-A by means of a suitable swivel pipe connection. Yam 4 I-A may be hollow or fitted with conduits which provide-passageways for air to the smallports or holes 19 provided on one side of the vane for such a 'vane is suitable only --for turbines whose whirl-does'not reverse.

Figure 5 shows one view of wane-4 l-A which indicates that the edge of the vane nea-rer to-the draft tube axis, lies in a plane having-a greater angle'to -s'a-1'daxis than the more remote'ed-ge of the "vase,

-The'dilferehce between these angles 7 increases with the increase i in width of the vane.

The arrow shown above the vane I indicates the direction in which the turbine runner "revolves and the direction in which-the water revolves or whirls in' thef'drafttube.

Fi'gures 8, 9, 1'0, 11, 12 and 13 illustratea design of whirl deflecting vanes andappurtenances which-makes it possible to install them in turbines "whose 'draft tubes are inaccessible except from within; on account of thick walls of concrete which surround the draft tube liners.

FiguresS and 9'illustrate the general arrangement ofthe apparatus in the 'dra fttube ofsuch a turbine-and'the Gther figures illustrate the various detainee construction; Figure 8 being a sectional 'planview showing the upper portion of the draft-tube in cross-section and a top plan view of the whirldefieeting vane apparatus.

Figure isaseotional elevation of thesame portion of the draft tube showing the apparatus in elevation.

The vanes in these several-illustrations will "be designated by 4l-B, the draft tube liner by 35-B, the turbine ruhner-by Sfl-B, the-'air'pipe by la -B andthe air-ports in the vanes by 'l ti -B other air ports 19C are shown-near'the center 7 of the tubular beam which-spans th draft tube and fo'rmsthe supports for the whirl deflecting assembled into a compact unit before it is installed in the draft tube.

Presuming that the draft'tube liner is encased in concrete and is inaccessiblefro'm'theoutside,

all-the work of installing'the apparatusfmust be clone irom within thej'draft tube and presuming. that welded construction may be resorted to;

saddles or sockets 8| are first installed, by wel'ding them to the draft tube liner 35b; provision for inserting the tubular support 88 being made in any suitable manner; one convenient method being to make one of the saddles 8| in two parts so that only the lower part need be installed to hold the end of support 80 and the upper part 82 welded on, after the installation is about complete.

A check valve 83 terminates the inlet of air pipe 18-B, allowing air to pass into the draft tube through this pipe and connecting passageways, but checks its flow in the reverse direction.

Air ports 19-B are indicated on one side of each vane 4l-B but when conditions permit, it is preferable to admit air into the draft tube through holes closer to the center oraxis of the draft tube, or through holes IS-C in the tubular support 80. I

Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section through the apparatus as it may be constructed when no provision for admitting air into the draft tube is made; the only difference in construction being that the air ports and passageways are omitted.

Figure 11 is a cross section of the tubular beam or support 8!], taken in the direction of arrows ll-H, showing how air ports 84 through the parts 8! inside of the tubular support 88 may be provided whenever they are desired. The other illustrations do not show these ports nor the pipe 18-B for supplying air.

Figure 12 is a vertical cross-section of the whirl deflecting vane 4IB, viewing it in the direction of arrows I2-l2, and Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the vane and the portion of the appertaining apparatus embraced by, and viewed in the direction of, arrows l3l3.

In this embodiment of the invention the supporting beam 88, corresponding to the vane stem 42 or 42-A, in the other illustrations, does not rotate with the vane 4 lB but is immovably fixed into the draft tube by means of saddles or brackets 8|, to which we may assume, it is welded, or otherwise adequately secured.

The required degree of rotation, which may be as little as 10 or 15 degrees in some turbines operating under comparatively stable conditions, is provided by mounting the vanes 4 lB on th tnbular supporting beam 80 by means of bearings 85 embraced in the construction of vanes and lined with suitable bearing metal or other material, such as rubber or lignum vitae which are sometimes used when water is depended upon for lubrication.

The vanes being pivoted in this manner are restrained from turning beyond the required amount by the mechanism enclosed within themselves and their tubular support 80.

The principal resilient force upon which the proper functioning of the whirl deflecting vanes depend, is provided by spring rods 86: these rods are made of resilient material such as spring bronze or spring steel and in the illustrations, one torsion or spring rod 86 is provided for each vane 4l-B. Both rods 86 are supported in tube 80 by common bearings 81 which may be held in their respective places by any suitable attachment to tube 80, for example, by spot welds executed through small holes in tube 88 provided for this purpose. In the same manner the spring rod anchors 88, may be securely attached to tubular support 80.

Each rod anchor 88 provides an additional bearing for one of the spring rods 86, besides serving as an anchor for the end of the other spring rod.

The construction and manner of support of both vanes 4l--B are similar; likewise their connections to spring rods 86 are similar.

One end of each spring rod 86 is enlarged and non-rotatably and non-movably attached to its anchor 88 by means of interlocking splines assisted by welds.

Near the other end of rod 86, a splined connection 89 is formed for non-rotatably attaching lever 90, which lever extends to the bottom end of vane 4I-.-B where it terminates in a cushioned attachment to the vane.

Cushion pads 9| are made of rubber and an elongated hole in the end of lever 90 and pads 9|, provides clearance around pin 92 which is riveted, or screwed in place to aid in keeping lever 98 in alignment.

Levers 98 are designed in the form of leaf springs to attain additional resilience, although the resilience of spring rods 86 may be adequate in themselves; and conversely, a form of leaf spring replacing spring lever 90 can be devised that would be adequate in itself, in which case, spring rods 86 would be unnecessary and tubular beam 80 or any beam replacing it would not need to extend across the draft tube, but could take the form of a cantilever beam.

Aperture or opening 93, in tube 88, is large enough to clear lever 98 in its two extreme positions as well as being large enough to permit the insertion of the upper end of the lever in the process of assembling the apparatus.

A cover 94 is tack welded over an opening in one face of vane MB. The opening is neces sary for placing lever 99 inside of vane 4IB, and to expedite th assembly of the parts.

Set collars 95 for preventing lateral movement of .vane 4l--B may be welded to tubular support 80 or secured by any other suitable means, such as, by means of set screws.

Since spring rod 86 has an enlargement on either end, the bushings 96 in bearings 81 may be soldered or otherwise secured in its exact po sition on spring rod 86 before the rod is inserted in tubular support 88.

This embodiment of the invention as illustrated by drawings is suitable for turbines whose whirl revolves in one direction only; but only slight changes in construction would accommodate it to turbines whose whirl may rotate in either direction.

The arrow in the draft tube in Figure 8 indicates the direction of whirl rotation for which these vanes are suitable.

Figure 12 indicates the normal inclination of the vane, the forces imposed on the vane by the turbine discharge tends to rotate the vane in a clockwise rotation but the restraining force of the spring rod 86, through lever 98, prevents it from rotating more than 10 or 15 degrees further in this direction.

Positive stops can be incorporated in the design of the set collars 95, as a precautionary measure and also to reduce the size of opening 93 in tubular support 80, to a minimum.

In many instances, the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 14.- and 15 can supplant the embodiment just described which are for turbines of old construction having their draft tube liners completely encased in concrete, but the work of making the installation requires a longer shut down period for the turbines.

This embodiment of the invention also has many advantages in its adaptation to turbines of new design. It is of simple construction and'of rugged design; it is also easy and inexpensive to install and in instances where a plurality of small whirl deflecting vanes are preferable to several large ones, its compact design permits its installation in limited space with a minimum of interference.

Some flexibility in the application of the vanes is also afforded by providing receptacles for additional vanes before they are actually required; which also provides for their removal again when they are not required.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment of the invention now referred to and Figure 15 is a view of the invention taken in the direction of arrows l-l5 in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a section similar to that of Figure 14 showing a diametrical section of the tubular receptacle 98' of the same whirl deflecting vane mechanism, when the vane and mechanism are removed and the opening of bearing 99 is fitted with a cover I08 held in place by screws L Figure 17 is a view in the direction of arrow H, in Figure 16 showing a view of the cover l9].

Figure 18 is a diametrical section through a portion of a hydraulic turbine of the propeller type or of the high specific speed type, showing the runner 39-13 which revolves in a clockwise rotation when viewed from beneath, as indicated by arrow H3.

The upper part of the draft tube with its liner 35 is also shown, together with the hydrocone 182 supporting whirl deflecting vanes 4I-C.

Some builders of turbines prefer to design this type of turbine so that the whirl in thedischarge therefrom is considerable and in such cases the whirl does not reverse its direction of rotation but follows that of the runner.

In this illustration the hydrocone carries the whirl deflecting vanes tl-C. Additional vanes could be placed in the draft tube walls in the usual way; but none are shown in that location in this illustration.

vortex of the turbine discharge where the horizontal component representing the velocity of the flow is usually much greater than that of its axial or vertical component; causing the turbine discharge to assume a winding course through the draft tube instead of a direct course; adding greatly to its resistance and detracting from the efliciency of the draft tube.

Hydrocones in draft tubes would serve their purpose to greater advantage if they were equipped with whirl deflecting vanes.

Whirl deflecting vanes are of greater efficacy when situated near the origin of whirls consequently they are located close to the runner of hydraulic turbines, but if the form of the draft tube of turbines is such that whirls originate in other parts of the tube, vanes can be applied to these localities also.

In pipes and penstocks the best location of whirl deflecting vanes is just beyond the bends or turns leading into straight portions of the penstocks or pipes. This will deflect the whirling path assumed by the water in the flow, into a more direct one and reduce the velocity and consequent friction of the water flowing along the surface forming the walls of the penstock or pipe, besides shortening the path of the entire water stream flowing through the same.

Referring again to Figure 16 it will be observed that the receptacle 99 comprises two spaced bearings joined with a tube having one end closed with a socket I93 and the other end where bearing 99 is located, joined ;'to the draft tube liner 35- by the process of welding. Any other kind of joint such as a flanged joint can replace the welded joint if desired.

The receptacle also is fitted with suitable bushings I94, for bearings 99- and I95.

The socket I93 is channel-led or grooved to receive the splined end of spring rod '95, illustrated in Figure 14, which shows that the other end of spring rod 96 is also splined" and provided with a socket llltyinside the vane stem 91, which is hollow so that the" rod 96 may extend therein andbe of whatever length required consistent with its diameter and the amount of twist it must sustain in the operation of the apparatus.

The figure illustrates that the receptacle 98, vane stem 91 and'the spring rod 9% are -tele scoped together as it were.

The vane stem 91 is rotatably positioned by bearings 99 and I95 and non-rotatablyattached to whirl deflecting vane H-C by hub It? and key 1-98.

The vane and stem are thus free to rotate or oscillate but keeper plate I99 prevents its endwise, or shifting movement. Screws lEl-l serve to hold keeper plate securely against the draft tube liner 35.

The endwise movementof spring rod 99 is limited. by the clearance provided in the general construction and assembly of the apparatus and each end of rod 96 is nonrotatably inserted in sockets H13 and I96 so that the rotation of vane ll-C and its stem 91' twists the spring rod 96 because socket I93 is not free to turn, but is fixed.

In this manner the necessary resilient and yielding forcefor opposing the forces tending. to turn the vane 4I-C are balanced so that the vane can meet small forces with gentle resistance and greater forces with increased resistance, and when such forces are removed the spring rod 96 will returnvane GIC to its normal position; in which position no deflecting force isapplied to the stream fiowing past the vane, by its means. The vane thus, adjusts its deflecting force according to the amount required.

Having described the several embodiments of the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In draft tubes for hydraulic turbines or in conduits through which a stream of fluid may flow, means for applying apparatus to control or actuate whirl deflecting vanes situated therein; comprising in combination, a whirl deflecting vane, a supporting stem therefor, said supporting stem having part of its length of tubular form, a shaft for providing resilience partially enclosed in the tubular part of said stem and to which it is suitably attached at one of its ends; the other end of said shaft projecting beyond the end of the tubular stem, 3, socket carried by the draft tube, for fixing or anchoring the shaft, a hollow cylindrical receptacle also carried by the draft tube and into which the vane stem extends, and spaced bearings in the cylindrical receptacle for positioning the vane stem therein.

2. In draft tubes for hydraulic turbines, or the like, through which fluid may flow, the wall of said tube having at least one opening, a whirl deflecting vane provided with a hollow stem, said stem projecting into one of said openings, a resilient rod positioned in the hollow stem, means for anchoring one end of the rod to the stem, and means positioned in the opening and secured to the draft tube for anchoring the other end of the rod.

3. In draft tubes of hydraulic turbines, or the like, having whirl deflecting vanes and actuating mechanisms therefore, means incorporated into the walls thereof for positioning the whirl deflecting vanes and their actuating mechanisms, said means comprising a receptacle of substantially hollow cylindrical form having one end open and accessible from the inside of the draft tube, the other end being closed and provided with a socket, a tubular stem connected with each vane, the hollow receptacle having bearings for positioning the stem therein, a spring rod positioned within the tubular stem, one end of the rod being secured in a socket in the stem and the other in the socket in hollow receptacle,

4. In an apparatus as described in claim 3 in which the spring rod has enlarged ends for insertion into the sockets, that portion of the rod between the enlarged ends constituting 'a torsion spring.

5. In draft tubes for hydraulic turbines or the like, a tubular supporting member carried by the draft tube, a whirl deflecting vane mounted for limited oscillation about the axes of the tubular support, and resilient means for yieldingly resisting rotation of the vane relative to the tubular support, said means comprising a resilient bar having one end secured to the vane and the other nonrotatably connected with the tubular support, said bar serving as a torsion spring.

6. In hydraulic turbines having draft tubes with hollow whirl deflecting vanes situated therein and secured thereto for pivotal movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the draft tube, means for admitting air into the draft tubes through the vanes, comprising conduits having one end in communication with the interior of the vanes, the latter having openings through which air may enter the draft tube, the other ends of the conduits communicating with an air supply.

7. In hydraulic turbines having draft tubes, whirl deflecting vanes positioned therein, hollow supporting stems associated with the vanes, the wall of the draft tube having openings through which the supporting stems extend, means for admitting air into the draft tubes, comprising air conduits formed within the whirl deflecting vanes and their supporting stems, said conduits terminating in suitable ports for dispensing air into the draft tubes; said conduits being in communication with suitable air sources outside of the draft tubes through suitable openings.

8. In hydraulic turbines having draft tubes, whirl deflecting vanes, stay vanes and adjustable wicket gates with their operating mechanisms and connections to the turbine governors, means comprising interconnected shafts and gears for transmitting motion from the wicket gates to the whirl deflecting vanes to effect simultaneous adjustment of said gates and vanes.

9. In hydraulic turbines having draft tubes, hollow stay vanes and adjustable wicket gates, means for adjusting the wicket gates, whirl deflecting vanes positioned in the draft tube, means for effecting simultaneous adjustment of the wicket gates and the whirl deflecting vane, comprising a shaft extending through a stay vane, means for transmitting rotation from the wicket gates to one end of the shaft and means at the other end of the shaft for transmitting a corresponding movement from it to the whirl deflecting vane.

10. In a hydraulic turbine having stay vanes, adjustable wicket gates, a draft tube positioned beneath the turbine runner, and whirl deflecting vanes mounted in the draft tube for pivotal adjustment; means for effecting simultaneous pivotal adjustment of the wicket gates and the whirl deflecting vanes, said means comprising a shaft extending from near the upper end of the wicket gate to a point below the same, means for transmitting rotary movement from the wicket gate to the upper" end of the shaft and means for transmitting a corresponding rotary movement from the lower end of the shaft to the whirl deflecting vane.

ALBERT F. ANDERSON.

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