Patent Abstract:
A water driven impulse turbine has a barrel rotatably mounted upon an axle, with a plurality of runner blades extending tangentially from the barrel. Side plates secure the runner blades on opposite sides thereof. A breastplate is maintained in concentric juxtaposition with the wheel so defined. A penstock is interposed between a water source and the breastplate to pass water into the runner blades. The turbine may consist of a plurality of axially interconnected wheel sections of similar or dissimilar nature to optimize performance.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention herein, referred to as a tangential water wheel and also referred to as an impulse turbine, is an improvement over prior art water wheels by virtue of its design, materials, type of construction, its ability to accomodate higher head ranges and higher flow rates, and the manner in which it is used. Said device is also an improvement over impulse turbines of today by virtue of its simplified design, type of materials used in construction, lower cost to manufacture and install, its ability to operate efficiently under low to medium head ranges and its ability to operate with higher flow rates. 
     BACKGROUND ART AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of electrical power generation by utilizing, as the prime mover, an impulse turbine, which is part of the family of tangential water wheels. The turbine is capable of being constructed in various sizes ranging from several inches in diameter to 30 feet or more, and from a few inches in width to several feet. A typical high torque turbine would be 20 feet in diameter and 5 or 6 feet in width. A horizontal axle is fixed to the turbine and rotates with it. Ideally, incoming water approaches a runner portion of the turbine in an undershot or a breastshot manner similar to the prior art Poncelet wheel, but the turbine may be adapted to an overshot condition or to a combination of approach angles. 
     The incoming water pushes against blades or buckets which are an integral part of the runner portion of the turbine and thereby produces rotation. The runner is designed to retain water for a portion of each revolution, unlike the Pelton turbine which deflects the water. To enhance retention of water, the turbine is fitted with a breastplate undercarriage which is connected to the incoming water source. The breastplate is not connected to the turbine and does not rotate. 
     The high torque turbine rotates relatively slowly, achieving a top speed in most cases of 45 to 60 r.p.m., and utilizes a speed increaser before connecting to a generator. 
     The incoming water ideally is provided by pipes or penstocks and, depending on the width of the runner, the water can be diffused through a manifold arrangement providing more than one inlet through the breastplate. 
     Incoming water approaches the runner tangentially and imparts all or nearly all of its energy to the runner in a tangential direction. The water travels tangentially after engaging the runner and does not substantially change direction. The water exists the runner/breastplate area at an angle combining tangential and outward flow away from the axle. The runner is designed to receive incoming water with near zero impact and discharge water with near zero forward velocity. 
     All of the energy transferred to the turbine from the water occurs in the outer portion of the turbine and thereby produces a high torque on the axle. The high torque turbine differs from the prior art Poncelet water wheel in the following ways: 
     1) The Poncelet water wheel was popularly used in the mid 1800&#39;s. Since then, technology advances have provided for improved materials and manufacturing processes such as close tolerance machining; the use of precision bearings producing a balanced rotation with decreased friction losses; and durability with minimum maintenance. 
     2) Incoming water is provided to the high torque turbine via one or more penstocks/pipes. 
     3) The high torque turbine offers an improved runner design which reduces or eliminates axial thrust. 
     4) The high torque turbine rotates faster than the Poncelet wheel and accommodates a higher head and flow rate. 
     5) The high torque turbine is the prime mover for producing electricity. 
     6) The high torque turbine is intended to be mounted on the face of a dam or adjacent to a dam near the tailwater area or near a river. 
     7) In its preferred form, the high torque turbine is wider than the Poncelet wheel and larger in diameter. 
     The high torque turbine differs from the prior art Pelton turbine in the following ways. 
     1) The high torque turbine retains water rather than deflecting it. 
     2) The high torque turbine runner design is simpler and more economical to manufacture. 
     3) The high torque turbine can accomodate higher flow rates and lower head ranges. 
     4) The high torque turbine is designed to rotate slowly. 
     5) The high torque turbine utilizes a breastplate to help it retain water. 
     6) The high torque turbine utilizes a simplified water distribution system and does not require nozzles. 
     7) The high torque turbine is intended for external use and can be installed with or without a housing. 
     8) The high torque turbine utilizes a speed increaser whereas the Pelton generally does not. 
     OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a system for generating electricity which derives its source of power from water flowing from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a system for generating electricity which is economical to manufacture and install at existing dams; as a part of new dam construction projects or on a bank adjacent to a river or stream. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a water power generating system which combines principles of old fashioned water wheels and modern day impulse turbines. 
     With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 
     Specifically, the foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained by a water driven impulse turbine, comprising: an axle; a wheel mounted upon said axle, said wheel having a pair of side plates and a plurality of runner blades interposed therebetween; a breastplate fixed adjacent to and substantially concentric with said wheel; a source of water in communication with said breastplate and said runner blades, said water passing through said breastplate and against said runner blades and thereby effecting rotation of said wheel upon said axle. 
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the generating system according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment similar to FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view taken on line  7 — 7  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the embodiment described in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 11 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 14 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 16 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 16 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 16 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a turbine according to the invention. 
     FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Now, with more particular reference to the drawings, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , a high torque turbine  21  is disclosed situated near the face of a dam  20 . The dam confines a body of water  29  referred to as a reservoir. The reservoir is also confined by earthen retainer walls  30  which could be parts of natural hills, mountains or sides of valleys. The high torque turbine  21  is fitted with a breastplate  22  which is mounted to the dam or dam substructure by means of supports  23 . Said supports can be constructed from reinforced concrete or other suitable materials and can be anchored to the dam or near the dam as required. The breastplate  22  is curved to a radius exceeding the radius of the turbine, ideally by ¼ inch to 1 inch and is fixed in a stationary permanent position. The breastplate does not rotate. The breastplate is fitted to a pipe or penstock  31  which extends through the dam and provides a means of conveying water from the reservoir to the turbine. The penstock can be fitted with one or more valves and gauges  32  to control and monitor the flow of water. The valves would be ideally equipped to operate automatically and by remote control. On the reservoir side of the dam, the penstock is fitted with a trash catcher  33 . The trash catcher could be one of a variety of commonly available models and serves as a means of filtering debris, fish and other animals from entering the water flow to the turbine. 
     The axle  40  is an integral part of the turbine and rotates with the turbine. The axle  40  is fitted with bearings near its ends which are housed and supported in bearing mounting blocks  41 . The axle is coupled to a speed increasing device  50  which is preferably of a gear box variety. The speed increaser is then coupled to a generator  51  which produces electricity. The bearing mounting blocks  41 , the speed increaser  50  and the generator  51  are mounted to structural supports  60  which can be made of reinforced concrete or other suitable materials and can be fastened to the dam or dam substructure as desired. 
     In operation, water flows from the reservoir  29 , through the penstock  31 , through the breastplate  22 , and pushes against runner blades  26  thus producing rotation. The runner blades are fastened by any conventional means such as welding to the turbine side plates  27  and the runner barrel  28 . The runner barrel  28  also is fastened to the side plates  27 . The breastplate  22  serves as a means of containing all or nearly all of the incoming water in the runner part of the turbine until each blade  26  rotates past the end of the breastplate. At that time water drops or is discharged from the turbine into the tailwater area  61  adjacent to the dam. The lower end of the breastplate is approximately in line with the vertical centerline of the turbine and the higher end of the breastplate extends somewhat above the horizontal centerline of the turbine. 
     In the embodiment shown hereinafter, elements of like nature to those presented with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 bear the same numeric designation, and may not be discussed in detail due to their similarity to elements already presented. 
     The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment utilizing a syphon penstock  131 . The syphon penstock  131  conveys water over the dam  120  to the breastplate  122 . The syphon penstock is fixed to the dam by support brackets  138  and is also fitted with a trash catcher  133 . 
     The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 depicts a turbine which is substantially wider and shows four sections stacked together on the same axle. Side plates  227  are fastened to runner blades  226  which are fastened to support plates  229 . Additional runner blades  270  are fastened to another support plate  271  and to support plates  229  and in this manner all sections of the turbine rotate together. Other numbers of sections may be used on the same axle thus providing an option to utilize varying widths. A wider turbine provides for a greater flow of water to act upon it. Thus a turbine ten feet wide could process twice as much water as a turbine five feet wide and a turbine fifteen feet wide would accommodate three times the flow as a turbine five feet wide. 
     The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.  6  and FIG. 7 depicts a turbine  321  which is mounted to the spillway side structure  370  by means of supports  380  which are fastened to the side structures. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 the breastplate  422  is attached directly to the spillway area of the dam  420  and provides for water cascading down the spillway to enter the turbine  421  without the use of a penstock. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9 the turbine  521  is situated father away from the dam  520  and receives water via a longer penstock  531 . This penstock can be supported by a plurality of supports  514  of any suitable conventional nature. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, the penstock  631  approaches the turbine  621  in an overshot manner and in this arrangement a breastplate may not be required. FIG.  11  and FIG. 12 depict an embodiment of the invention where the turbine  721  is situated on dry land or a concrete apron  710  adjacent to the tailwater area  61 . In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13, the turbine  821  is situated such that the direction of the discharge is approximately perpendicular to the shoreline  881 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, three runner sections  912  are stacked together on a common axle  40 . Three penstocks  931  are shown attached to a common breastplate  922 . 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15, four runner sections  1012  are stacked together on a common axle  1040 . One penstock  1031  supplies water to a manifold  1095  which disperses water through four separate inlets  1096  and through the breastplate  1022 . 
     The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16 utilizes eight runner blades  1126  which are equally spaced around the runner barrel  1128 . Each runner blade contacts the runner barrel in a tangential manner and is fastened to the runner barrel preferably by welding. The runner blades are also secured to the side plate  1127  in a similar manner. Ideally, with low head application the approach angle of the inlet or penstock  1131  as taken from the horizontal centerline of the turbine would equal 360° divided by the number of runner blades used in the turbine. Thus if eight runner blades are used, the approach angle would be 45°. This specification represents the preferred relationship between the runner blades and penstock in order to achieve the highest possible rotational speed. The exact number of runner blades used in the design of a given high torque turbine can vary and will generally increase as the head increases. The diameter of the penstock  1131  can vary depending on its length and can have more than one diameter on the same penstock. For instance, the diameter of the penstock near the dam may be larger than the diameter where it enters the breastplate. Ideally, the penstock diameter as it approaches the breastplate would be equal to the depth of the runner which is defined as the difference between the radius of the side plate  1127  and the runner barrel  1128 . However, this relationship can vary depending on conditions and design criteria. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17, a large number of runner blades  1226  are utilized with a runner barrel  1228  diameter which produces a more shallow runner system. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 18, a vertical penstock  1331  is utilized which constitutes an overshot approach and in FIG. 19 an extensive overshot approach is shown where the penstock  1431  approaches the turbine on the vertical centerline of the turbine. Approach angles of this type are best suited for medium to high head applications. In situations of this type, a higher rotational speed is developed due to a faster incoming velocity of the water. For these applications the breastplate can be eliminated, however, it may be useful to keep the breastplate to prevent early discharge of water due to centrifugal force. In cases where the rotational speed of the turbine is high enough, it may be possible to have a direct drive from the axle of the turbine to the generator, thus eliminating the speed increaser. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 20, six runner blades  1526  are depicted. These runner blades can be flat plates preferably made of stainless steel, aluminum or other suitable material. The runner blades may be fastened by any conventional means such as welding to the side plates  1527  and to the runner barrel  1528 . The runner barrel  1528  is fastened to side plates  1527  by conventional means such as welding or bolts. In its preferred form, each side plate would be fitted with a hub  1567  which can be an integral part of the side plate or can be a separate piece which is fastened to the side plate by conventional means such as bolts. The center of the hub has a close tolerance bore to accommodate a close fit with the axle  1540  and would also include a keyway provision for direct drive of the axle. The side plate members also have a bore of a clearance size for the axle. The runner barrel  1528  consists of a cylinder with a large inside diameter. The outside diameter of the runner barrel comprises the bottom of the runner system. The entire turbine in its preferred form may be made of steel, aluminum or other suitable material such as high performance plastic. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 21, a runner barrel section  1628 A is disclosed. This barrel section is capable of being placed and removed as desired and, when in use, is intended to be secured to runner blades  1626  and side plates  1627 . A plurality of barrel sections are used; one between every two runner blades, equal in number to the number of runner blades. In this manner, the barrel sections become the bottom of the runner which changes the volume of water the runner can accept. This also keeps the impact of the incoming water and the weight of the water closer to the periphery of the turbine which produces a high torque with the same volume of water. The runner barrel sections can be flat, concave, convex or some other shape as desired. Runner barrel sections may be used during periods of reduced water flow and removed during periods of higher flow. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 22 shows a turbine having cupped shaped runner blades  1726 . The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 23 discloses three runner sections stacked together where the runner blades  1826  are not in line with each other from one runner section to the next runner section. This staggered effect may be used to help reduce pulsation effects from incoming water. 
     In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 24, a turbine  1921  with two runner sections  1912 A,  1912 B of different diameters is disclosed. In situations where the head and flow rate may vary frequently, the water flow can be directed from one runner section to the other to help maintain consistent speed of rotation and maximum available torque. 
     In general, turbine generating systems of this type can be constructed in various sizes ranging from a few kilowatts to 50 megawatts or more in output. An assortment of conventional control systems such as governors, valves and electrical relays can be utilized as desired. Any of a number of conventional housings can be utilized as desired to cover the turbine, gearbox, generator and control system to protect them from weather elements. The major benefit from the high torque turbine generating system is lower cost. This is due mostly to reduced work requirements for installation at dam sites. Another benefit is to provide a family of turbines regarding size and design characteristics to accomodate nearly all ranges of head and flow rates. Still another benefit is to provide for low cost installation of a power generating system in areas where no dam exists by connecting waterways with a higher elevation to waterways with a lower elevation by means of pipes or penstocks. This provides a water source with a head differential to a turbine generating system installed on the river bank in such a manner as to discharge water from the turbine into the river. 
     The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred, practical forms, but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood as defined by appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8