Prime-mover dynamo plants – Fluid-current motors
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-05-29
Enad, Elvin (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Fluid-current motors
C290S042000, C290S043000, C290S052000, C290S053000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239505
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydroelectric turbine systems have long been used as a source of electrical power. The efficiency of these devices has improved over the years, as illustrated in the devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,441,029 and 5,780,935.
However, existing systems comprising valves and blade operated generator output shafts placed in a fluid flow still have certain shortcomings. Among the shortcomings are the inability to effectively aerate and recondition the water passing through the system wherein the liquid flow comes from a source deep behind a retaining dam where the water is short on oxygen among other deficiencies. More specifically they do not do an effective job of combined agitation and aeration of exit water. This is caused by incorrect positioning of the turbine runner relating to the tailrace, and improper use of all of the kinetic energy created by the system.
A further shortcoming of the hydropower turbine systems in the art is that the blades on the turbine runner are not easily and efficiently adjusted to meet different operating conditions. An additional shortcoming of the existing systems is that they include sharp or protruding surfaces which contribute greatly to fish mortality.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a hydropower turbine system wherein the turbine runner blades are partially submerged in the tailwater for achieving maximum aeration and turbulent mixing.
A further object of this invention is to provide a hydropowered turbine system wherein the turbine blades have upper arcuate edges which dwell in a parabolic plane, and intermediate edges surrounded by a flume ring for stability, and to prevent fluid loss.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a hydropowered turbine system wherein the water flows upward in the opposite direction of gravitational acceleration wherein equally spaced turbine blades have progressively outwardly flow passageways therebetween.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a hydropowered turbine system wherein the turbine blades have upper edges which dwell in a parabolic plane to provide a high theoretical kinetic energy recovery efficiency and wherein a component of the kinetic energy is useful in the aeration of the exiting liquid.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a buoyant needle valve flow control which can have its operating position efficiently controlled by means of a positive displacement pump.
A still further object of this invention is to have a hydropowered turbine system which can be easily serviced and maintained.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a hydropowered turbine system which is essentially free from sharp edges and protruberences and which will otherwise decrease fish mortality. This machine is specifically an improvement over the device of said U.S. Oat. No. 5,780,935.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hydroelectric turbine of this invention has a base member with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid outlet is above the fluid inlet and is positioned to allow fluid exiting the base member to exit in an upward direction. A vertical rotor shaft has upper and lower ends and a vertical elongated axis. The rotor shaft is normally supported by the input shaft of an electrical generator. The lower end of the rotor shaft is positioned adjacent the fluid outlet of the base member. A plurality of equally spaced arcuate blades having upper edges are secured to the end of the shaft adjacent the fluid outlet and partially extend into the fluid outlet. The upper edges of the blades have a parabolic shape and dwell within a parabolic-shaped arcuate plane.
The blades have a wedge-shaped space therebetween which enlarges in an upwardly direction to create a progressively outwardly divergent flow passageway. The blades have an arcuate inner edge secured to the rotor shaft which extends in a helical direction with respect to the outer surface of the shaft. The blades are positioned with respect to the fluid outlet so that the direction of fluid flow upwardly from the base member will be perpendicular to the parabolic-shaped arcuate plane defined by the upper edges of the blades.
A flume ring is secured to intermediate edges of the blades and has a flared outersurface complementary in shape to a flared inner surface of the fluid outlet.
A needle valve assembly is slidably mounted for vertical movement within and interior compartment of the base and is adapted to be moved from a lower open position to a closed upper position with respect to the fluid inlet. Fluid conduits are provided to permit fluid to be introduced into and from the lower portion of the base member below the needle valve to adjust its position. A second fluid conduit is also used to connect the fluid inlet with the bottom portion of the base member to equalize the fluid pressure therebetween at times.
The method of use of the turbine includes submerging the turbine with respect to the tailwater surface of a retaining dam so that the blades will be partially submerged below the tailwater surface and partially extending thereabove wherein the blades will cause water droplets to be propelled upwardly and outwardly over the tailwater surface surrounding the fluid outlet while at the same time causing turbulent water mixing below the tailwater surface. The “turbulent mixing” action itself is designed to also aerate the water. The formation of air-born droplets (to increase air-water contact surface for effective aeration) and the subsequent re-entry (bringing with them air bubbles) and mixing of the droplets (as well as the air bubbles) into the water around the discharge outlet are designed to enhance the effectiveness of aeration induced by the turbulent mixing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1494842 (1924-05-01), Huguenin
patent: 1504776 (1924-08-01), Nagler
patent: 1673605 (1928-06-01), Tappan et al.
patent: 2783392 (1957-02-01), Corbiere
patent: 2949540 (1960-08-01), Clayton
patent: 4130399 (1978-12-01), Amminger
patent: 4165467 (1979-08-01), Atencio
patent: 4311410 (1982-01-01), Atencio
patent: 4367890 (1983-01-01), Spirk
patent: 4441029 (1984-04-01), Kao
patent: 4780051 (1988-10-01), Fisher, Jr.
patent: 4781523 (1988-11-01), Aylor
patent: 5780935 (1998-07-01), Kao
Enad Elvin
Iowa State University & Research Foundation, Inc.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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