Patent EA-000652-B1 (EA)
Title: Helical penstock
IPC: F03B13/08
Filed: 1997-01-31
Abstract: 1. A hydroelectric power generation plant comprising a turbine, a penstock upstream of the turbine, and a tailrace downstream of the turbine, wherein the penstock comprises a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and being of substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length. 2. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tubular portion of the penstock is constructed so as to involve a net change of direction of water flowing therethrough of 90 degree . 3. A hydroelectric power generation plant comprising a turbine, a penstock upstream of the turbine, and a tailrace downstream of the turbine, wherein the tailrace comprises a tubular portion curving in three dimensions. 4. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the penstock has a substantially straight portion, and a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and being of substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length, the tubular portion being provided between the straight portion of the penstock and the turbine. 5. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in Claim 4, wherein adjacent ends of the claimed in Claim 4, wherein adjacent ends of the straight and tubular portions are substantially axially aligned. 6. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the tubular portion branches off laterally from the straight portion. 7. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein substantially the entire penstock is formed by a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and being of substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length. 8. A hydroelectric power generating plant as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tailrace comprises a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and increasing in cross-sectional area in the downstream direction. 9. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tubular portion of the penstock forms part of a helix of constant radius. 10. A hydroelectric power generation plant as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the turbine is a reversible pump turbine. 11. A tubular portion for use as or as part of a penstock in a hydroelectric power generation plant, wherein the tubular portion curves in three dimensions and is of substantially constant cross-section along its length. 12. A tubular portion as claimed in Claim 11, having a diameter greater than 0.5m. 13. A tubular portion for use as or as part of a tailrace in a hydroelectric power generation plant, wherein the tubular portion curves in three dimensions. 14. A method of designing a hydroelectric power generation plant, comprising designing a penstock for use upstream of a turbine, with the penstock having a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and being of substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length. 15. A method of designing a hydroelectric power generation plant, comprising designing a tailrace for use downstream of a turbine, with the tailrace for use downstream of a turbine, with the tailrace having a tubular portion curving in three dimensions. 16. A method of constructing a hydroelectric power generation plant, comprising installing a penstock upstream of a turbine, wherein the penstock has a tubular portion curving in three dimensions and being of substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length. 17. A method of constructing a hydroelectric power generation plant, comprising installing a tailrace downstream of a turbine, wherein the tailrace has a tubular portion curving in three dimensions. 18. A pump plant for a pumped storage system, comprising a pump and an inlet and an outlet thereto, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet to the pump comprise(s) a tubular portion curving in three dimensions. 19. A pumping system comprising a pump, an inlet and an outlet thereto, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet comprise(s) a tubular portion curving in three dimensions. 20. A pumping system as claimed in Claim 19, wherein both the inlet and the outlet comprise respective tubular portions. 21. A pumping system as claimed in Claim 19 or 20, wherein the each tubular portion forms part of a helix.