CN102422013A - An improved hydro turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention discloses an improved hydraulic turbine assembly (1) that provides high productivity, high operational versatility, and minimal and/or no cavitation, resulting in improved efficiency. The invention also proposes a novel hydraulic turbine assembly with a higher energy conversion method and a wide range of applications from low to high head. The hydraulic turbine assembly (1) includes at least an inlet connector (2), an inner housing (3), and an outer housing (4), and a turbine runner (6) disposed inwardly toward the end of the inlet connector (2). The turbine runner (6) is mechanically connected to a turbine shaft (7) having means for generating mechanical energy through rotation of the turbine shaft (7). The inlet connector (2) and the turbine runner (6) are configured such that water enters the turbine along the same axis as the turbine shaft (7) but from the opposite end, and exits radially through the turbine runner (6). The turbine can be installed in a conventional or open plume configuration.

Description

Improved water turbine

technical field

The present invention generally relates to hydraulic turbines having improved water inflow and outflow functionality for higher efficiency and better energy conversion properties in driving mechanical components and the like, especially for power generation. The present invention focuses on controlling the flow of fluid into the turbine wheel in the axial direction and outflow along the radial axis.

Background technique

Hydro turbines come in many configurations, shapes and sizes, ranging from the relatively simple to the most complex using computer control to coordinate multiple turbines in a hydroelectric power plant. Common types of hydro turbines are Francis turbines, Kaplan turbines, Pelton turbines, Bangui turbines, and diagonal flow turbines. These water turbines convert energy from the liquid into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. There are differences in the configuration of existing hydro turbines, especially with regard to the direction of inflow and outflow of water, the use of runners, the effect of centrifugal force on water flow and the obstruction of water flow.

In some hydro turbine configurations, especially the Pelton, Bangui, and Diagonal flow turbine classes, runner usage is generally low, with only some portion of the runner being used at any one time to convert energy. Due to the low specific energy conversion (kW/kg) of these turbines, these turbines are generally expensive for low head locations, ie a large amount of material needs to be used to obtain the same output.

Energy loss due to cavitation is common in Francis and Kaplan turbines due to the torsional nature of the water flow leaving these turbines. These cavities are difficult to deal with, rendering these turbines unsuitable for high head applications where torsional effects are more severe. In the long run, cavitation can also cause damage to the turbine runner.

Also, in other turbine designs, the water head causes the centrifugal force in the water created by the turning of the runner to oppose the natural water hydraulic force. Therefore, the net force available for energy conversion is limited by centrifugal force. The same is true for Francis turbines and Kaplan turbines. Reduces the specific energy conversion coefficient (kW/kg) of the runner, rendering these turbines unsuitable for low head applications.

In addition, in some existing designs such as Kaplan turbines and Bangui turbines, the turbine shaft is designed to be located along the waterway, which hinders the flow of water. This results in reduced efficiency and energy output.

Therefore, higher specific energy conversion coefficients (kW/kg) for low, medium, and high head applications, more efficient energy conversion processes for runners, and more multifaceted designs are generally preferred.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative configuration of hydraulic turbine components which gives high productivity, is more versatile in use, allows operation in all applications at low, medium and high hydraulic heads, and makes operation efficient. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hydro turbine assembly which produces minimal and/or no vortex and cavitation, thereby resulting in low maintenance requirements. The improved hydraulic turbine of the present invention is named DAENG hydraulic turbine, referring to Dual Axis Engineering, the applicant of the present application.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a hydro turbine assembly which has higher energy conversion properties through maximization of the use of the runner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydro turbine assembly in which the water flows out in the same direction as the centrifugal force, which acts in the radial direction created by the turning runner, resulting in a higher energy conversion.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a water turbine assembly which does not exert a torsion effect on the water at the outlet of the turbine, causing minimal and even no cavitation.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing the following:

A water turbine (1) comprising at least a water inlet connection (2), an inner casing (3) and an outer casing (4); and

a turbine runner (6) arranged inwardly toward the end of the water inlet connection (2) and between the outer casing (4) and the inner casing (3), said turbine runner (6) being mechanically connected to a The water wheel shaft (7), which is provided with a device for generating mechanical energy through the rotation of the water wheel shaft (7);

It is characterized by:

The water inlet connection (2) and turbine runner (6) are arranged so that water enters the turbine along the same axis as the waterwheel shaft (7) but from the opposite end, passing through the edge of a curved cone assembly (11) Use to change its direction to the radial direction, enter the cavity between the runner blade propellers (8) and leave the runner (6) in the radial direction, without being hindered by the water wheel shaft (7).

Preferably, the turbine runner (6) has a plurality of blade propellers, the surfaces of which are arranged so that water entering the runner, passing through the gaps between the blade propellers, is directed towards the same direction as the centrifugal force turning the runner. Direction flows out of the runner.

However, it should also be preferred that a control ring (9) is integrated with the turbine assembly to control the power output of the turbine.

Furthermore, it should also be preferred that the runner is set wet at all times during operation of the turbine.

It should also be preferred that the hydro turbine can operate over a wide range of low to high head operation.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (for illustration only), wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water turbine assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydro turbine assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the turbine runner and water wheel shaft arrangement with a single disk in the present invention.

Fig. 4 is another perspective view of turbine runner and water wheel shaft arrangement, the runner has a plurality of discs.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydro turbine shaft showing the direction of water flow used by the present invention and the application of the control ring set to the 100% position to manage the power output of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydro turbine shaft showing the direction of water flow used by the present invention and the application of the control ring set to the 67% position to manage the power output of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydro turbine shaft showing the direction of water flow used by the present invention and the application of the control ring set to the 33% position to manage the power output of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydro turbine shaft showing the direction of water flow used by the present invention and the application of the control ring set to the 0% position to manage the power output of the present invention.

Figure 9 is another hydro turbine assembly of the present invention set in an open plume configuration.

Detailed ways

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a perspective view of an improved hydraulic turbine assembly of the present invention can be seen first from FIG. 1 . The water turbine (1) includes: a water inlet joint (2), a water wheel shaft (7), a turbine runner (not shown) and a plurality of casings. The end section of the water wheel shaft (7) is provided with mechanical and electronic devices usually related to power generation, which convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. The device typically includes a generator (not shown). The general principle of a hydro turbine works as follows: water flow is directed through the inlet connection (2) to the blade propellers (not shown) of a turbine runner (not shown), thus creating a moment in the blade propellers, causing the rotor rotate. The rotation of the turbine wheel represents the conversion of the pressure energy of the water flow into the mechanical energy of the wheel shaft. The attenuated effluent water follows the general shape of the casing surrounding the turbine wheel as it is directed out. The shell of the present invention is helical, aptly named the spiral shell (5). It is contemplated that alternative turbine assemblies of the present invention may also be installed in an open plume configuration as shown in FIG. 9 . In this case, it is not necessary to use the housing, but an outer water wall (12) and an inner water wall (13) are provided on each side. However such walls need not be part of the turbine assembly but rather part of the civil supporting structure. In this open plume configuration, the turbines are fixed directly to the walls, eliminating the need for the spiral casing discussed earlier.

In an embodiment of the invention the water enters the turbine (axially) on the same axis as the water wheel shaft but from its other end and exits radially through the turbine wheel. This preferred embodiment causes the water to flow freely without obstruction by the water wheel shaft (7) and flow out of the wheel in the same direction as the centrifugal force generated by turning the wheel. Centrifugal force has a positive effect on water flow, which advantageously allows the turbine to operate in low head applications. These properties provide versatility for improving turbine components.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a hydraulic turbine assembly configured in accordance with the present invention. The turbine assembly (1) shown in this figure comprises a water inlet connection (2), an outer casing (4) and a spiral casing (5). The turbine runner (6) shown comprises a curved cone assembly (11) in the middle of the runner (6), a plurality of blade propellers (8) arranged along the circumference or periphery of the runner. The water inlet connection (2) is arranged to allow water to enter the turbine runner (6) axially. The curved cone assembly (11) is generally arranged to change the direction of water entering the runner from an axial direction to a radial direction without creating cavitation. The surface of each runner blade propeller is positioned to direct water entering the runner to flow out in the same direction as the centrifugal force created by turning the runner. In a preferred embodiment, the runner can be made of a single blade propeller (8) (see Fig. 3) or of multiple discs (see Fig. 4) having a configuration similar to that of the blade propeller.

Still referring to Figure 2, an outlet ring (10) is disposed within the turbine assembly to enclose the turbine wheel and allow it to rotate freely. The outlet ring also functions as a junction between the inner casing (3) and the outer casing (4) and directs the water away from the turbine wheel in the general direction of the helical casing (5) to limit or eliminate any obstruction to the water flow . A control ring (9) is provided in the cavity of the outer housing (4), the control ring is designed to slide in and out of the turbine wheel so that the power output of the turbine can be controlled. The control ring slides in axially, causing the runner disc to close or open completely as desired. The most efficient control point is achieved when one or more discs are fully closed and the unaffected discs are fully open. Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the position of the control ring when the turbine is set at 100%, 67%, 33% and 0% load respectively. As shown in the figure, controlling the output power of the turbine can be done more easily.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the arrangement of the turbine runner and water wheel shaft. The runner (6) is suitably connected to the end of the shaft using suitable couplings known in the art. The figure also shows the arrangement of the blade propellers (8) and the curved cone assembly (11) of the runner. Water entering the rotor axially is directed by the cone assembly onto the face of the blade propeller, causing the rotor to turn. It is very convincing that the arrangement and components make the chance of cavitation very low.

Figure 4 shows another exploded view of the arrangement of the turbine runner and waterwheel shaft, where the runner is made of a number of discs. This setting allows for more control over the turbine output.

Figure 5 shows how the present invention achieves water flow with such advantages. Water enters the runner axially through the connection point and exits radially through the runner. At the exit of the wheel, a very small amount of energy will remain. The water leaves the runner with the remainder of the energy through the outlet ring (10) and flows to the spiral housing (5).

A turbine of this nature would have the following advantages:

1. The use of the runner can be maximized to obtain higher energy conversion. This leads to higher specific energy conversion (kW/kg) properties.

2. Since the runner is intended to operate wet at all times, the turbine is not limited to the problem of a two-phase regime. This biphasic state is difficult to control and generally results in a loss of efficiency. Therefore, the proposed turbine will operate with higher efficiency than previous turbines.

3. Water freely enters the turbine runner, and will not be hindered by the water wheel shaft like several existing turbines. The rotor of the turbine of the present invention will allow more water flow, thus giving a higher power output than similar sized rotors of the prior art.

4. The water flows out of the runner in the same direction as the centrifugal force generated by turning the runner. In some existing turbines, the centrifugal force opposes the flow of water and therefore has a negative effect on output, while in some other designs the centrifugal force has a neutral effect. However, the centrifugal force of the present invention is in the same direction as the water flow and has a positive effect on the water flow, thus resulting in a positive net force, thus providing higher specific energy conversion and allowing operation at low head.

5. When the water flows out in the radial direction, there is no torsion effect, and the vortex and cavity appearing in the turbine are the least amount. In existing turbine assemblies, due to the imperfect appearance of the blade propellers, in combination with the rotation of the shaft, the water flows out radially causing the water flow to be distorted. The helical nature of the twisting flow creates eddies and cavitation, and limits high head applications, where the effect can be more severe. Advantageously, since the water head has little effect on the formation of vortices and cavities, the present invention is suitable for a wide range of applications from very low water head to very high water head.

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the position of the control ring (9) used to control the output of the turbine. By controlling the switch of the rotary disc, suitable settings for various energy requirements can be easily realized.

Figure 9 shows the setup of the turbine assembly set in an open plume configuration. The turbine assembly can thus be set in a variety of configurations, adapted to the needs of the location.

It is contemplated that the properties of the present invention may be implemented to replace existing hydro turbines, or for new hydro turbine installations. It should be understood that although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, variations, changes and modifications may be made therein. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the invention shown in the drawings, variations of which are obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

1. a water turbine (1), it comprises a water supply connector (2), an inboard shell (3) and an outside shell (4) at least; And

One is terminal and be arranged at the turbine disc (6) between outside shell (4) and the inboard shell (3) towards said water supply connector (2) in being arranged to; Said turbine disc (6) is mechanically attached to a water wheel axle (7), and it produces mechanical energy to rotate through water wheel axle (7) in this generator;

It is characterized in that:

Said water supply connector (2) and turbine disc (6) are configured to water along the said turbo machine of terminal entering with the identical axis of water wheel axle (7) but from the opposite; Use through a curved tapers assembly (11) changes its direction to radial direction; Get into runner blade and revolve the hole between the oar (8) and leave runner (6), and can not hindered by water wheel axle (7) to direction radially.

2. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 1, it is further characterized in that: water supply connector (2) is configured to let water axially get into turbine disc (6).

3. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 2, it is further characterized in that: said turbine disc (6) is made up of single or a plurality of disks, and each said disk is fixed with a plurality of leaves and revolves oar (8).

4. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 3; It is further characterized in that: a control annulus (9) is set in the outside shell (4) and touches turbine disc (6); Said control annulus (9) can slip into and skid off turbine disc (6); Through stopping that the water management that flows into or above disk flows into the water of turbine disc, with the energy output quantity of managing turbine machine runner.

5. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 4, it is further characterized in that: an outlet ring (10) surrounds said turbine disc (6) and allows it freely to rotate; Said outlet ring (10) also has the function as the bonding point between inboard shell (3) and the outside shell (4), and guiding water leaves turbine disc (6) along the direction of spiral case (5).

6. like the described water turbine thermomechanical components of aforementioned arbitrary claim, it is further characterized in that: turbine disc (6) moisture state that is set to if having time.

7. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 6, it is further characterized in that: runner is used in the maximum load position by maximization fully.

8. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 7, it is further characterized in that: said water turbine can be used in basic, normal, high head and use.

9. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 4, it is further characterized in that: said water turbine can also be set to open plume turbo machine form.

10. water turbine thermomechanical components as claimed in claim 9, it is further characterized in that: an outside waterwall (12) is combined into as the building supporting structure that is arranged at open plume form with an inboard waterwall (13).

Images