US3785747A

US3785747A - Axial flow hydraulic turbine generator installation

Info

Publication number: US3785747A
Application number: US00305494A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Mayo
Original assignee: Allis Chalmers Corp
Current assignee: Voith Hydro Inc
Priority date: 1972-11-10
Filing date: 1972-11-10
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15
Also published as: JPS49133810A; CA976455A

Abstract

A hydraulic turbine generator installation wherein the turbine rotor is supported centrally within a water confining tube and the generator rotor is supported by a ring connected to the radially outer ends of the turbine blades and rotates with the turbine blades. The blades are supported by the ring and a hub located in the tube to permit pivotal movement thereof. Hydraulic servomotors or the like are also supported by the ring and are connected to the blades to pivot the blades. A single power source for the servomotors is located on a stationary portion of the installation and connected by conduits through the turbine blades.

Description

United "States Patent 1 1 1 Mayo, Jr. 1 5 1 5111111. 15, 1974 AXIAL FLOW HYDRAULIC TURBINE GENERATOR INSTALLATION Howard A. Mayo, Jr., York, Pa.

Allis-Chalmers Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed: Nov. 10, 1972 Appl. No.: 305,494

Inventor:

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Graner 415/33 Caddell 415/129 Primary Examiner--Henry F. Raduazo Attorney-John P. Hines, Robert B. Benson and Arthur M. Streich [57] ABSTRACT A hydraulic turbine generator installation wherein the turbine rotor is supported centrally within a water confining tube and the generator rotor is supported by a ring connected to the radially outer ends of the turbine blades and rotates with the turbine blades. The blades are supported by the ring and a hub located in the tube to permit pivotal movement thereof. Hydraulic servomotors or the like are also supported by the ring and are connected to the blades to pivot the blades. A single power source for the servomotors is located on a stationary portion of the installation and connected by conduits through the turbine blades.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ing the blades which overcome 1 i AXIAL FLOWIIYDRAULIC TURBINE GENERATOR INSTALLATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains in general to hydraulic turbine generators and more particularly to an axial flow hydraulic turbine generator unit wherein the turbine blades are pivotal about their axes'as in a conventional Kaplan turbine.

In the past, when it has been desired to pivot the turbine blades, the pivoting mechanism has been located in the runner hub in the conventional Kaplan turbine runner. This, however, necessitates an enlarged hub thereby detracting from the passage through which the water flows.

To overcome this large hub, means have been provided on the rotating ring connected to the outer ends of the blades to pivot the blades. Such a mechanism is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,289,420 issued July 14, 1942 to H. Graner. In this patent a number of different operating mechanism and power sources are shown rotating on the ring with the blades and the generator rotor. Whereas this arrangement does overcome the large hub in the water passageway, it does require considerable rotating equipment which is inaccessible, difficult to maintain, difficult to balance and results in a larger heavier rotating ring.

OBJECTS or THE INVENTION It is the general object and intention of this invention to provide any axial flow hydraulic turbine generator machine, having pivotal blades with means for operatthe shortcomings of the prior art. A'more specific object of thes'ubject invention is to provide an axial flow hydraulic turbine generatormachine of the hereinbefore described type wherein power responsive means forpivoting the blades rotate with the blades; however, wherein the source and control of the power for the power responsive means is stationarily locatedon another part of the machine.

An additional object of the subject invention is to provide an axial flow hydro-turbine generator machine of the hereinbefore described type wherein individual hydraulic servomotors are supported on the ring and the control valves, and pump and fluid source are on a stationary part of the machine or adjacent thereto.

may be constructed of any number of sections and connected together by flanges 8 or partially imbedded in a concrete foundation. A turbine hub generally designated 9 is centrally supported within the tube by means of one or more vanes 11. The hub 9 is composed of a stationary section 12 and a rotatable section 13. The vanes or ribs 11 are circumferentially spaced about the hub and may perform the additional function of guiding the water to the turbine blades. (Alternative arrangementsmay also have adjustable radial or conical wicket gatesbetween the vanes or ribs II and the rotating runner section 13.) i

The rotatable hub section 13 is rotatably connected to the stationary section 12 in any conventional manner. As shown herein for purposes of illustration a shaft extension 10 extends into the stationary section 12 and is supported by guide bearings indicated at 15.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced radially disposed blades 14 are pivotally connected to the rotat able section 13 for rotationth'erewith'. The blades 14 are provided with an inner trunnion 16 which fits into a socket formed in the rotatable section 13. This socket is conventionally lined with a sleeve bearing17, and

A more specific object of the subject invention is to provide an axial flow hydro-turbine generator machine of the hereinbefore described type wherein the hydraulic conduit connecting the source with the servomotors passes through one or more of the rotating blades of the turbine. t

These and other objects of the subject invention will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in light of the attached drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view partially in section of a hydroturbine generating unit constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the outer end blade connection; and.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings a hydraulic passageway 6 is defined by a tube generally designated 7 The tube any conventional means for sealing the interior of the hub from the water outside may be provided. The blades 14 are also provided with an outer trunnion generally designated 18 (FIG. 2). g

A ring or rotor'rim assembly generally designated 19 is provided about the outer ends of the blades 14. This ring as herein shown for purposes of illustration is constructed of an inner rim 21 and an outer rim 22. The inner and outer rims are connected together by circumferent'ially spaced walls 23 shown in FIG. 3. A block 24 is provided inside of the outer rim in line with the blades 14 to supportthe outer trunnion bearing. The outer trunnion 18 of each blade is supported in a bore provided through, the inner rim 21 and through the blocks 24 connected to the outer rim 22. The generator rotor poles 25 are connected to the outer rim 22 by conventional means such as bolts or key slots.

Power operating means herein shown for purposes of illustration as a hydraulic servomotor 26 are connected to the ring 19 adjacent to each blade 14; These servomotors may be connected in any conventional manner and are herein shown pivotally connected to the inner tened to the blade outer trunnion 18 in any conven tional manner such as by a conventional key and key way slot 32 as shown herein for purposes of illustration.

The ring 19 extends through an opening 33 provided through the tube 7. A seal is provided between the tube and the ring 19 to insure that water does not seep from the passageway to the exterior thereof. Such a seal can be constructed in any conventional manner and is herein shown as including a pair of annular seal elements 34 supported in a groove formed in the tube 7. The seal elements can be held in place in any conventional manner such as by a ring 36 bolted to the tube. Each seal element 34 engages the inner rim 21. to provide a water seal therebetween.

A source 37 of operating fluid may be provided adjacent to or on a stationary portion of the machine. Pump and valve means generally designated 38 and 39 respectively are provided to pressurize and direct the flow of the pressurized fluid to the servomotors 26. A

passageway 41 is provided through a support vane 11 into the stationary hub section 12. A conventional fluid transfer mechanism generally designated 42 is provided between the stationary section 12 and the rotatable section 13. A pair of

conduits

43 and 44 deliver the fluid to and from the source 37 to the transfer mechanism 42. The'transfer mechanism connects the pressurized and

unpressurized conduit lines

43 and 44 to the blades 14 through

pipes

45 and 46. One or more blades 14 are provided with a passageway extending radially through the blade and the inner and outer trunnions l6 and 18 to connect the

conduit lines

43 and 44 to the servomotors. As herein shown for purposes of illustration passageways 47 and 50 are provided through two of the blades. The pipe 45 connects conduit 43 to passageway 47 and pipe 46 connects conduit 44 to passageway 50. Passageway 47 is connected to one pipe header 51 and passageway 50 is connected to pipe header 52. Each pipe header is connected to opposite ends of each servomotor by flexible tubing 53 anf 54.

When it is desired to pivot the blades 14, the valve 39 is moved so that pressurized fluid flows through, for instance, conduit 43. This pressurized fluid flows through the transfer mechanism to the proper blade passageway 47 or 50 depending on the desired motion of the blade. Simultaneously the fluid transfer mechanism connects the other blade passageway to the other conduit 44, re-

turning that side of the 'servo'motor to the fluid source 37.

From the above, it can be seen that the opening mechanism for the blades 14 both within the rotatable hub section 13 and the rotating ring 19 have been maintained at a minimum. This permits a smaller size hub to be employed with resulting higher unit power output, better cavitation characteristics, higher speed and at the same time a smaller ring and less internal mechanism requiring maintenance and adjustment and, therefore, less weight rotated at the ends of the blades.

in a similar manner grease can be provided to the outer trunnion 1.8 bearings through the blades 14 via suitable rotary pipe connections, pipe headers and flexible tubing if grease lubricated bearings are used. In such cases a central automatic grease pumping system is customarily used and would by located similar to the oil pressure system with reservoir 37, pump 38 and control valve 39.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A hydraulic installation comprising:

a water confining tube having an. annular opening therethrough; v a hub having a stationary section and a rotatable section;

rib means connected to said tube and said stationary section of said hub and supporting said hub centrally within said tube;

a plurality of radially disposed blades extending from the rotatable section of said hub to said tube; means connecting the inner ends of said blades to said rotatable section of said hub to permit rotation thereof with said rotatable section and to permit pivotal movement thereof about the axes of the blades;

a rotatable ring pivotally supporting the outer ends of said blades, said ring extending in water sealing relation through said annular opening;

'a plurality of servorhotors supported on said ring for rotation therewith and operatively connected to said blades to impart pivotal movement thereto;

walls defining connected passageways through said rib means, said hub, said blades, and said ring; and

conduit means extending through said passageways and connected to said servomotors to supply power thereto to operate same and pivot said blades.

2. The hydraulic installation set forth in claim 1 wherein said servomotors are hydraulic servomotors and said conduit means are fluid conduit means.

3. The hydraulic installation set forth in claim 2 and further comprising:

a source of hydraulic fluid supported on a stationary portion of said installation; and

pump and valve means connected to a stationary portion of said installation for p'ressurizing the fluid from said source and directing it through the proper conduit.

4. A hydraulic installation comprising:

a water confining tube having an annular opening therethrough;

a hub having a stationary section and a rotatable section;

a plurality of radially disposed blades extending from the rotatable section of said hub to said tube;

means connecting the inner ends of said blades to said hub to permit rotation thereof with said hub and to permit pivotal movement thereof about the axes of the blades;

a plurality of hydraulic servomotors equal in number to the number of said blades supported on said ring for rotation therewith and each operatively connected to the associated 'blade to impart pivotal movement thereto;

walls defining connected passageways through said rib means, said hub, said blades, and said ring;

a source of hydraulic fluid supported in a stationary portion of said installation fluid conduit means extending through said passageways and connecting said source to said servomotors; and

pump and valve means supported in a stationary portion of said installation and operatively connected to said conduit means to pressurize and direct the fluid from said source to said servomotors.

Claims

1. A hydraulic installation comprising: a water confining tube having an annular opening therethrough; a hub having a stationary section and a rotatable section; rib means connected to said tube and said stationary section of said hub and supporting said hub centrally within said tube; a plurality of radially disposed blades extending from the rotatable section of said hub to said tube; means connecting the inner ends of said blades to said rotatable section of said hub to permit rotation thereof with said rotatable section and to permit pivotal movement thereof about the axes of the blades; a rotatable ring pivotally supporting the outer ends of said blades, said ring extending in water sealing relation through said annular opening; a plurality of servomotors supported on said ring for rotation therewith and operatively connected to said blades to impart pivotal movement thereto; walls defining connected passageways through said rib means, said hub, said blades, and said ring; and conduit means extending through said passageways and connected to said servomotors to supply power thereto to operate same and pivot said blades.

3. The hydraulic installation set forth in claim 2 and further comprising: a source of hydraulic fluid supported on a stationary portion of said installation; and pump and valve means connected to a stationary portion of said installation for pressurizing the fluid from said source and directing it through the proper conduit.

4. A hydraulic installation comprising: a water confining tube having an annular opening therethrough; a hub having a sTationary section and a rotatable section; rib means connected to said tube and said stationary section of said hub and supporting said hub centrally within said tube; a plurality of radially disposed blades extending from the rotatable section of said hub to said tube; means connecting the inner ends of said blades to said hub to permit rotation thereof with said hub and to permit pivotal movement thereof about the axes of the blades; a rotatable ring pivotally supporting the outer ends of said blades, said ring extending in water sealing relation through said annular opening; a plurality of hydraulic servomotors equal in number to the number of said blades supported on said ring for rotation therewith and each operatively connected to the associated blade to impart pivotal movement thereto; walls defining connected passageways through said rib means, said hub, said blades, and said ring; a source of hydraulic fluid supported in a stationary portion of said installation fluid conduit means extending through said passageways and connecting said source to said servomotors; and pump and valve means supported in a stationary portion of said installation and operatively connected to said conduit means to pressurize and direct the fluid from said source to said servomotors.