US1762124A - Runner for turbines - Google Patents

Description

June 3,193 0;-

I L. F. MOODY I 1,762,124

RUNNER FOR TURBINES I Original Filed April 15. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY June 3, 1930. L. F. MOODY RUNNER FOR TURBINES Original Filed April 15 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f w w m i m la 4\ aflllllliflilllllillllllllllilllir \f: 1 1

ATTORNEY June 3, 1930. L. F. MOODY RUNNER FOR TURBINES Original Filed April 1 1922 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR lem'd 1T Mody \4 kflw i ATTORNEY;

' 20 it is; the vanes which 25 relation to the *flow and I Patented June 3,

" Em we ami E .Origina] application filed 1 122,'Se

- [1926; Seria1 This invention relatesto hydraulic tur .bines and to the formation ofthe rotary element or runner of turbines or-pumps and particularly to runners of the unshrouded 5 blade type. In prior practice it has-been usual to form the runners of "turbines or pumps with the blades or vanes in one -inte 4 gral casting or inseparably Connected to the hub so that itis necessary to provide for. re-

moval of the whole runner as a unit'for repair or replacement. Inmany installationsthis greatly increases the cost of theturb'ine or pump, and it is highly desirable to'be able: to remove the runner vanes "separately and then,

; necessary, to removerthe hub. If a, vane'is injured by striking an obstacle, if'c orrosion occurs, if the vane shape is 'tobe changed by chipping to alter or'correc't the operating characteristics, in any. of these contingencies require removal and not the whole runner. I!

One object of the invention is to provide a runner in whichthe blade sections are adjustable so as to "vary the blade angles with permit the operating characteristics to be changed.. 1..

In the accompanying; drawings illustrating the invention,f

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional viewlo'f a tlllf bine-structure showing a runner formed-"in accordance with this invention. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional'view of a' blade of the runner of Fig.1. '1 r V Figs. 3 and tarea plan and sectional eleyation ofa runnerillustrating a modification,

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views illustrating a further modified form. J Figs. 8, 9 and'lO are sectional views illus-' trating another form of runner, and 1 I Figs. lland 12 are elevational and sectional views, respectively, of a further. modi-' afication.

, In the embodiment of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flow entering through the adjustable guide vanes passes downward. and inward through the blades 51 of the runner R and out through draft tube. (Z; The blades 51 are detachable and adjustable and are rotatably held in the hub 52 by a j0ur- 4 50 :nalorpintle engagedby the setscrw: 56.

The surface 5 blades 51- a're shaped to' conform to the-spherical surface 54ofthehub-52"so as to contact arched to give a sufficient thickness to 'the. blade at its junction with the pintle-to avoid r breakage at this point. Under'th'e pressure w of theflow againstthe front surface 7 of the bladeythe'front" elements at' the' area ofat- 66 twhile the rearfelements are'under compres- F riaIINO. 553,294. .Divideaax'i'athis aip neaaoafa ea;Jim; i i,

4 of the hub' 52 spherical I around a'center formedby the intersection of 4 the vertical axis of the-runner with the axis of the pintle 55. wThefinneredges of the therewith inall adjustmentsi Thefr'ont face: f of each blade 5 l is approximately flat as shown inFigQQ while thejb'ack surface 6 "is tachment to the pintlei55 are under ten'sion'at sonata a V In the modified form'shown' in Figs'.-3

and l'th ere are'vfour'blades66extendingin a Q i diagonal direction directly across the" diagoa nally inward fiowlinesI .The central hub' vane to either si'de 'of a designed central' position, the vane andpintle turning. as at whole po'rtionfiO ada'ptedfof keying to the shaft'is of generally "conical-form and 'is, q'r'ovided; ,with four inclined'fcircular recesses 61in J which are rotatably fittedjthe pintles 62 o 'thevane sections. ""Set b'0ltsf63 are" provided having theirf'inn'er ends engaging in grooves 7 :64fin' pintles 62 and "their heads countersunk in recesses"6 5 atthe top iot-the hub 60.- g The 180 =a's 'to permit a slight angular rotation -of the:

aro und'the agzis of the pintle 62: These pintles have their axes inclinedat an angle toia' plane perpendicul'ari to the 'axi'szot thesrunne'r and the' pintle axes are "substantia'1ly.-pei pendicular .;t0,-':tl1e elements-ofthe: conical surface of the hub intersected by lthemi In order to adjust ithese vanes it is: onlyneces- .sary to loosenlthe' set-bolts 63', turn the, vanes,

and then reset 'theset-bolts I v to'holdtlievanes inadjustedpositions; 1

"InFigs. 5 to. 7 'the'runner hub 70 ofcon -ical form hasffour'taperedfcircular recesses 71 in which are fitted tapered circular disks 72 carying vanes'73 which-are thus rotatable about an inclined axis 7 4'. To holdthevanes in adjusted positionibolts-i' 5 are'mprovided passing; through slots 76 of the disks-72 and.

serving when tightened to clamp said disks tightly in said recesses.

- In the modified form of runner shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the hub 7 8 is provided with three circular recesses "79 in which are fitted annularclamplng rings 80 within which in turn 'are rotatably fitted disks 81 of vanes 82,

connection of the disk with the blade so as to attain a strong construction.

In the runner shown in Figs. 11 and 12,

a shaft 85 carries a central hub portion-86 of generally conical form keyed to the taper- "ing end of the shaft. The hub portion 86 has. a series of fourcircular recesses 87in V whichare rotatably fitted the disks 88 of the blade sectionshaving vanes 89.

V A lower holding .ring 90 is fitted to the lower half, of the-hub portion 86 and has its upper edge horizontal and cut out in semi-circular form fitted to the periphery of the secondary disks '91' of the blade sectionsand overhanging the lower halves of the maindisks 88. Fitted to the. upper half of the hub section 86 are a series of segmental plates 92 each of which has its lower edge out out in a semi-circle. Ameeting. with the corresponding sem1-c1rcle the lower ring :90 andfittingthe remaining half of'the secondary disk9l. A cap :member 93 havinga depending flange 94 fits over the top of the hub portion 86 and retains the plates 92 by their engagement under the flange94. .Loeking bolts 95are provided passing through slots in disks-91, 88 and serving 'to elampthe disk and blade section securely in adjusted position. 7 t a In all ofthe modified forms the exposed surfaces of the vane sections are rounded off tororrcspond to. the conical formation of the ,hub and .to give smooth unobstructive flow lines Thefeature of adjustability permits .the runner characteristics to be 'altere d to conform toparticular conditions of individual installations. In case of change of head or-quantity of water available the blades may .be shifted to take advantage of the change and at the same time maintain the efliciency of the turbine. The a'djustability of the runnervanes may also be used to test out the performance of the turbine for various inclina- 'tions of. the blades and I for various settings -of the turbine gates.

' The adjustable bladed runners of this in- -vention are adapted fora new method of testing turbines and a new method of developing improved turbine designs. The large number of variables entering into hydraulic turbine design and thelarge part played by hydraulic surface friction, particularly in the performance of turbines of the high speed type here involved, introduce uncertainties and make it difiicult to determine the best design of turbine. The method of this invention consists in equipping a small test turbine with runner blades of a given clesign and then making a complete test of the turbine withthe blades in each of a number of different angular positions by rotatably adjusting them in the hub, as above described. It has been found that' in the majority of cases a. maximum angular adjustment of about twenty degrees is amply suflicient to cover the useful range of performance. The

work of experimental development can be conveniently conducted by first placing the blades in one position and determining the performance of the turbine for various 311- gles of the guide vanes fromclosed to'wideopen position. The runner blades are then adjusted by. rotating through an interval of five degrees frointhe first position and the entire test repeated. Asimilar procedure is followed for each five degree-interval through therange of adjustability. From these tests, complete curves of performance can be drawn showing the range of performance to be secured from the given design of blade. The runner for any required installation can be designed by selecting the most suitable angle of inclination of the runner blades from these data, therunner for the installation being then built either with adjustable, or non-adjustable blades, and with either an integral or sectional runner construction, as the conditions may require.

In'theforms of runner illustrated herein, the vanes are of the generally diagonal type, extending directly across the diagonally inwva rd and downward flow linesand having their shape conforming to substantially straight line directrices.

This application is a division of the copending application of L; F. Moody, Serial No. 553,294, filed April 15, 1922, for Runner for turbines.

I claim:

1. The combination in a hydraulic turbine comprising a flow conduit and a runner disposed therein having a central hub portion of generally conical form, a pluralty'of separable vane sections detachably fitted in said hubportion and rotatably adjustable with relation thereto around axes perpendicular to theelements of the conical surface of the hub.

2. The combination in a hydraulic turbine cmprising a flow conduit and a runner disposed therein having a central hub portion of generally conical form, a pluralityof separable vane sections detachably fitted in said hub portion and rotatably adjustable with relation thereto around axes perpendicular to the elementsof the conical surface of the hub,

andimeans forfastening said vane sections hub portion and rotatably adjustable with relation thereto around axes, perpendicular to the elements of the conical surfaceof the hub, and means for fastening'said vane.

' sections rigidly in adjusted position comprising pivot portions on the vane sections and bolting means adapted to grip said pivot p orv V tions in a direction having a component axial- 1y of said pivot portions,

4. In a runner for a turbine the combination with a central hub portion .of a plurality of separable vane sections'detachably fitted in said hub portion and rotatably adjustable, through a small angle with relation .to said hub portion, around axes inclined to a' fiame perpendicular to-the axis ofthe runner, said vane sections being disposed thesa'me radial usted. i

distance from the runner axis forvarious' ad justinents thereof and means for'fastening' said vane sections'rigidly'in adjusted position by exerting a clamping "force on said vane section in substantially the direction of the axis about which said vane section is ad- 5. In a runner of separable vane sections detachably fitted in said hub portion and rotatably adjustable, through an angle not'exc'eeding twenty degrees -with relation: to said hub portion, around axes inclined to a flame perpendicular V to the axis of the runner, clearance being providedbetween said vane sections and said hub portion just sufficient to permit said'angular motion and at least a portion of said clearance being maintained constant for various. adjusted positions ofsaid-vane sections, and

means for fastening said vane sections'rigidly in adjusted position, each of said vane sections including a blade extending substancomprising a flow passage, arunner hav1ngt1s15 blades, disposed in said passage, and means I "for supporting said blades foradjustment I tially in the direction ofthe axis about which the vane is adjusted.

6. The combination 1n a hydraulicturbine comprising a flow' passage, a runner disposed therein having a central-hub portion, avseries of independently rotatable vane sectionsfdetachably fitted in said hub and rotatably ad justable with relation thereto around axes inclined to a plane perpendicular tothe axis ofthe runner, and aseries of bolts passing through said sections'and threaded into said hub to clamp said sections in adjusted posi-- tion. v V r 7. The combination in a hydraulic turbine runner comprising a central hub portion, a

series of independently rotatable vane secsaid, hub to clamp said sectionsrin adjusted operating'recess, and clamping bolts extending' through said disk into saidlhub to clamp said sections in, adjustable vposition 7 j 9;, The combination in a hydraulic turbine runner comprising a'centralihub portion 'of lvane sectionsfitted in said hub portion and;-

for a turbine the combina tion with a central hub portion of aplurality axes inclined toia plane perpendicularto' the j axis'of the runner, and a series of bolts xpassing-through said sections and threadedginto" 7 position, said sections being provided-x with elon gated openings for said. bolts. 1

8. The combination in a hydraulic-turbine runner comprising a central hubportion of generally conical form and provided with recesses, of a, series ofadjustablevane sections fitted in said recesses. and rotatably adj 1stable ,with relation thereto around axes pert-V ,pendicular to the elements of the. conical sur-' face of the hub, each vane sectionfcarryinga disk 5 havingsmooth peripheral supporting 7 surfaces for contact with-.thewalls of itscO- generally conical form, va series-of adjustable rotatablyf adjustable with relation thereto around axes perpendicular .to the elementsoif the conical surface ofthe hub, each vane sec-' tion carrying adisk provided with elongated openings therein and clamping bolts extend-1 ing. through said openings and threaded into said hub. to clamp said sections inadjustable position; I a i .Y.

10. The' combination in a" high specific speed substantially axial flow propeller type hydraulic turbinecomprising aflow passage,

' a runner disposed in said passage andlhaw ing'a hub carrying a substantially small numberzofunshrouded blades which arerelative- :ly flat in the edirection of-fiow thereover; andg rj means for supporting said blades'for adjust ment around axes inclined-to the runner axis, I r I reach of saidibl'ades extending {substantiallyf along their respective axes of adjustment 7 whereby during various positions of bladead-}i110- justmentthe centerline of each, blade -retains substantially the same relative position to eachother. 1 l r 11. Thecombi'nation in a hydraulic I I around axes inclinedtothe runneriaxis, said incllned vaxes being [substantially 1n alignfme'nt with the longitudinal axes of the blades. E1320 T I 112} The combination-in a hydraulic turbine comprising a flow passage, ,a runnerhavlng blades'disposed in said passage, meansjfor supporting said blades for ustmentaround axes inclined to the runner axis, and meansGI/ for. whirling the fluid flowing-through said turningfrom' a radial to an axial direction 9" so f {and bounded by relatively smooth curving walls, vanes disposed in said radial portion for whirling-theflow passing into said axial portion, and a runner disposed in said passage "provided-with blades spaced from said vanes toform a transition space therebetween, said runner having means for adj ustably supporting said blades around inclined axes substantially coinciding With the blade axes.

14, The combination in a hydraulic turbine "runner comprising a hub carrying blades,

and means whereby said blades are adapted to be rotatably adjusted including a tapered circular recess formed in said hub and a correspondingly tapered circular disc carried by a blade for cooperation with said recess, and means for holding said disc Within said recess and permitting 'rotative adjustment of said blades; 1

115. The combination in a hydraulic turbine runner comprising a hub carrying blades, and

'be'received Within said recess, and bolts ex 7 means vwhereby said blades are adapted to be rotatably adjusted including a tapered circular recess formed in said hub and a correspondingly tapered circular disc carried by a blade for cooperation With said recess, said disc having a series of elongated openings "therein, and a series of bolts extending through said-disc and threaded 1n said hub.

V 16. In a'hydraulic turbine runner, the combination comprising a hub section carrying a blade section, and means permitting rotatable adjustment of said blade section, including a 'recess'formed in one or" said sections With a 85 smooth peripheral Wall, the other of said sections having a cooperating disc adapted to tending through said blade section for threaded engagement With the hub section.

17(The combination in a turbine having for imparting a whirling component to the -infibwing "fluid, and a runner comprising a central hub portion having a relatively smooth and uniform contour constituting a substantially smooth continuation ofthe Wall ot-said flow conduit, said hub having a series a of independently rotatable blade sections adjustably fitted in said hub and rotatably adjustable With relation thereto around axes in clined to a plane normal to the axis of the runner, said blade sections being disposed the same radial distance from said conduit Wall I sitions.

for various adjustments of the blade sections, and a; circular serles of bolts extendlng through said sections and engaging said hub-- to clamp said sections in fixed adjusted po- LEWIS FERRY MOODY.

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