The San Francisco call., 1910-01-16

Francis turbine was of 5000 horse
power capacity and operated at a speed
of $50 rpm, the waterhead being
13S. Some idea of the size of this tur
bine may be gained from he follo"-
ing construction data:
Diameter of main gafeyalve inlet 81 ipehes;
diameter of relief valve. 81 inches; diameter oi
the draft elbows. 30 inches; diameter oil ny
wheel II feet: weight of hywheel. 10 IONS,
diameter of shaft. II inches; length OF unit -
feet; weight Of the spiral casing withosf s1 pea
frame, merely the water chamber q - IONS @ wa
weight Of the unit, approximately 100 TONS
The design and construction of TINS
machine occupied San Francisco me-
chanics for many months and the COM
pleted equipment represented the hlgh-
est development of the hydrauhc en-
gineering art
ONLY SKILLED MECHANICS
So important has this branch of san
Francisco industry bec0me that more
than is different turbines are now uh-
der COURSE DEMONSTRATION in the san
Francisco shops of the Pelton company
some of them operating under prsssures
as high as $50 pounds Only skilled
mechanics are employed in the con-
struction because of the close hts apo
adjustments necessary, the machlhed
finishes being brought down 10 5-loVV
OF an inch. So perfect was the con
struction that notwithstanding the
great size of this turbine unit Its op-
Grafton may be controlled by single
power house attendant in the event of
the automatic speed governor being
rendered imperative from an accldent.
WIDE AREA OF MARKET
The market for these turbines is not
confined exclusively to the Pacific
slope, but extends to nearly all parts of
the world where suitable water power
abounds Shipments have been made
to Java. South and Central America
and Mexico. where many OF the prin-
cipsl hydro electric plants are oper-
ated by Pelton- Francis turbines. Prac-
tically all of the plants are privately
owned transmission companies who
produce the electric current for con-
sumption in the various cities for op-
Grating factories, streetcar systems,
etc. The mining Industries of this and
other countries largely use the power
developed by these turbines, because
Of their simplicity, economy and re-
liability and the cheapness of the power
generated Many mines could not
otherwise operate Because of excessive
cost of fuel. taken in conjunction with
the low grade of ore, and would be
unable TO produce dividends.
SENSITIVE SPEED GOVERNORS
The speed governors attached to the
turbines are so sensitive that notwith
standing large amounts of power are
constantly thrown on and off prac-
tically uniform speed is obtained. Were
If not for this close regulation the
voltage of the electric generator would
fiuctuate beyond permissible limits.
The desired results. however. are OBJ
tanned in conjunction with the meohan
fcallv operated relief valve above men
toned and the speed governor, which
performs the same functions as the
governor of a steam engine; that is.
they maintain a constant speed, ire
spective of the load fluctuations.
The governors are equipped with
special device, so that should the cleo
trician in charge of the power Station
desire to shut down or vary the speed
he may do so by the simple adjustment
of an electrical switch. this feature
being of great Importance and con-
venience in power houses where there
are two or more generators installed
and which are synchronized for oper
ating in parallel.
country, recognizing the superior de-
sign, efficiency and speed regulating
appliances for these turbines, are plac-
ing their contracts in San Francisco
even at a preferential price over those
given to eastern builders. This trade
is constantly increasing and is result
Ing in the employment of a large num-
Der of skilled pattern makers, foundry
men. machinists and craftsmen of San
Francisco