Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e. – impellers) – Combined or convertible – Hub lubrication or seal
Patent
1998-10-20
2000-10-31
Ryznic, John E.
Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e., impellers)
Combined or convertible
Hub lubrication or seal
440 50, A47C 2104, B63M 100
Patent
active
061392723
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a device in a type of hydraulic machine which comprises a runner or rotor with a hub body and vanes or blades which are rotatably journalled in bearings in the hub body, which has at least one chamber which communicates with said bearings.
The invention has been developed as an improvement of the Kaplan turbine but can be applied also for other hydraulic machines of the kind mentioned in the preamble, such as ship propellers with angularly adjustable blades.
PRIOR ART
Conventionally the hub chamber in Kaplan turbines is filled with oil. The primary purpose of the oil is to lubricate the runner blade bearings. Other important functions are the provision of an adequate corrosion protection in the hub and the provision of a possibility to detect entrance of water into the hub. In order to prevent water from entering the hub, a risk which can not be completely disregarded as far as the hub designs of today are concerned, the entire hub body is filled with pressurized oil. This, however, leads to a risk that oil will leak out. As a matter of fact, the leakage of oil from Kaplan turbines occurs so frequently that it is considered as a significant environmental problem, since the oil that leaks out will contaminate the river in which the turbine is operating. Moreover, accidents can occur, when the hub is completely emptied of oil, which can cause major damages to the river. Yet pressurising the oil in the hub body is not a guarantee against water entering the hub. Many systems have been developed for the prevention of such water entrance as well as systems for the detection of the existence of water in the hub.
BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims at attacking the above problems and to offer an improved system which provides adequate lubrication of those bearings and other parts in the hub which need to be lubricated with oil and at the same time minimizes the risk for oil leakage and also, in case of brake down, essentially reduces damages to the environment because of oil that may leak out.
Another objective is be able to implement and employ the invention in existing machines while only small completions or changes are made in the machine design.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the following description of a preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitive of the present invention, and in which
FIG. 1 is an axial section through a runner of a Kaplan turbine having a design which is known per se, in which the invention is employed and wherein the characterizing parts of the invention are schematically illustrated;
FIG. 2 is a cross section through the runner in a view along the line II--II in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows the framed detail III in FIG. 1 at a larger scale, illustrating the system for preventing entrance of water into the hub; and
FIG. 4 is a view along the line IV--IV in FIG. 1.
In the drawings, only such details have been shown which are required for the understanding of the principles of the inventions, while other details have been omitted, such as the runner blades in FIG. 1, in order that the essential shall be more clear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1 a hub body, secured to a turbine shaft flange 13, is generally designated 1. The interior of the hub in this text is referred to as hub body chamber, generally designated 2, which also includes a bottom part 3 in the region of the nose portion of the turbine, in this text referred to as dry-sump. The turbine is provided with a number of runner blades 4, FIG. 4, each
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Nilsson Thomas
Thyberg Conny
Kvaerner Turbin Aktiebolag
Ryznic John E.
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