Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e. – impellers) – Combined or convertible – Hub lubrication or seal
Patent
1998-10-20
2000-03-28
Look, Edward K.
Fluid reaction surfaces (i.e., impellers)
Combined or convertible
Hub lubrication or seal
416174, 416167, 416168R, 416168A, 415230, 415231, 415110, 4151741, 4151742, 4151743, B63H 300
Patent
active
060423374
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a sealing system for the type of hydraulic machine which comprises a runner or rotor with a hub body and vanes or blades which are rotatably journalled in oil lubricated bearings in the hub body, said sealing system comprising sealing means located between said bearings and ambient water.
The invention has been developed to be employed in a Kaplan turbine, particularly in a Kaplan turbine having a completely novel lubrication system for the bearings of the runner plates, but can also be employed in conventional Kaplan turbines, as well as in other types of hydraulic machines 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 bearings of the runner blades. Other important functions are the provision of an adequate corrosion protection in the hub and the provision for the 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 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.
BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention aims at attacking the above problems and to offer an improved sealing system which minimizes the risk of oil leakage. The invention has been developed to be employed in Kaplan turbines with a completely novel lubrication system, which will be described in the following and which i.a. is characterized in that the interior of the hub body chamber does not have the same pressure as ambient atmosphere. The sealing system of the invention is particularly efficient in connection with hydraulic machines that have been provided with this new lubrication system, but it can as well be employed in hydraulic machines of the conventional type, where the whole hub body is filled with pressurized oil.
These and other objects can be achieved therein that the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.
Further characteristic features and aspects of the invention will be apparent from the independent claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the following description of a preferred embodiment, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, 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
REFERENCES:
patent: 3822104 (1974-07-01), Poet
patent: 5595472 (1997-01-01), Quattrociocchi
patent: 5954474 (1999-09-01), Fisher, Jr. et al.
Derwent's Abstract, No. 93-150466/18, Week 9318, Abstract of SU, 1733676, Lengd Turbine Association, May 15, 1992.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 6, No. 142, M-149, Abstract of JP A 57-62967, Hitachi Seisakusho K.K., Apr. 16, 1982.
Kvaerner Turbin Aktiebolag
Look Edward K.
Nguyen Ninh
LandOfFree
Sealing system for a hydraulic machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sealing system for a hydraulic machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sealing system for a hydraulic machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1320591