Improvements in Inward-flow Turbines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Inward-flow Turbines.
I, ALBERT SINGRÜN, of Epinal, Vosges, in the Republic of France, Designing
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to turbines of the inward-flow class and its object is to
increase the efficiency of such turbines; to render them stronger and lighter; to
facilitate their construction erection and inspection, and to enable them to be packed
for transport in as advanced-a-stage of erection as possible.
These improvements comprise modifications in the manner of fixing the blades,
the box, and the footstep bearing of the pivot of the turbine, and in the arms of the
lower cross-piece or support; they also relate to the connexion of this cross-piece
with the discharge-tube, and to certain parts of the casing and the watergate
mechanism, as hereinafter described with reference to the figures of the
accompanying drawings."
In the said drawings,
"
Fig. 1 shows a half vertical section along the axis of the main shaft of a turbine
as hitherto ordinarily constructed, parts being shown in elevation';
Fig. 2 is a view showing a similar-section, taken on the other side of the axis, of
a turbine constructed according to this invention; and
Figs. 3 to 38 are detail views :-
Figs. 3 to 19 show various forms of the heel-piece of each blade and various
modes of inserting the said heel-piece into and securing it to the blade-carrier.
Figs. 20 21, 22 and 23 show respectively two sections taken at right angles to
each other, an elevation, and a plan of the movable support for adjusting the shaft
that carries the toothed or worm-gear for operating the water-gate, whether the
said adjusting support be itself carried by a pillar as shown in full lines in Fig. 2,
or by any other means of support e.g. those shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in
full lines in Figs. 24, 25 and 26;
Figs. 27 to 30 illustrate in vertical section in front elevation, in side elevation,
and in plan respectively the combined trunnion-pin and loop bearing which supports
and guides the vertical water-gate operating-shaft when this shaft is arranged at a
distance from the casing, and which is in its turn carried by a support placed flat
on a beam, or ifitted against a wall, as shown in Fig. 2;
1
Figs. 31 to 33 show my improved casing Fig. 31 showing a section taken along
the axis of the horizontal shaft and along that of the stuffing box, Fig. 32 showing
a section taken along the axis of the stuffing box but perpendicularly to the section
shown in Figs 3d,tard. Fig. 33 being a plan of the cover;
Figs. 34 to 38 show clearly two side elevations, a vertical section, a horizontal
section, and a plan respectively, of the arrangement of the rack-boxes, and
particularly of that box which is provided with the projections s and thereinafter
referred to,, when the vertical water-gate operating shaft is arranged quite close to
the casing *
In turbines as hitherto ordinarily constructed (see Fig. 1) each blade A is fixed
to the blade or B by means of a pin or cylindrical nipple C which necessitates
the thickening of the blade at the place where the said nipple is attached. A screw
passed into the said nipple serves to draw it up and to tighten the blade against

page_text: the blade carrier. This mode of attachment is faulty; because not only is the
swelling of the blade below the nipple a hindrance to the flow of the water, but
also the blade itself, being beld by a single short cylindrical nipple about the axis
of which it has a tendency to turn in all directions in consequence of the various
actions and reactions of the water, has but slight stability, which sometimes gives
rise to accidents.
In my improved turbine (see Fig. 2), each blade A' is cast in one with a heel-
piece D of circular segmental form and of a length equal to 1/n. of that of the
circumference of a circle passing through the middle of the ring formed by the
whole of the heel-pieces when put together, n being the number of the blades A'.
Each heel-piece D is fitted into a groove or recess of similar shape formed, preferably
by means of a lathe, in the blade-carrier B, and is held by at least two screws, the
lower ends of which are or may be riveted down. When all the blades are in
position, the heel-pieces form in the groove or recess provided for them a
continuous ring which is accurately fitted into and firmly held in the groove in the
blade-carrier B, as shown in Figs. 3 to 19, which clearly represent the shape of
the heel-piece and the mode of securing it in place.
The heel-piece D may, however, vary as to its form, the manner in which it is
cast with the blade and fastened thereto, and the manner in which it is fixed to the
blade-carrier. For instance, it may be arranged as shown in Figs. 8 to 12,
13 to 17, or 18 and 19, but the heel-piece D consists always of a segment of a
circular ring and is fitted in a groove or recess in the blade-carrier and held by at
least two screws.
In the ordinary turbine, Fig. 1, the lower portion of the vertical shaft on which
the blade-carrier B is keyed, enters freely into its footstep and is in no way attached
thereto. Also, the box E of the pivot is prevented from rotating by lateral screws F
which hinder the flow of the water, whilst one or more bottom screws G serve to adjust
the box as regards height. Further, the cross-piece or support H, the arms of which
are square at the bottom in cross section, as indicated at I, and the discharge-tube J
are constructed and arranged as shown in the lower part of Fig. 1.
In my improved turbine (Fig. 2) the upper side of the bottom of the footstep is
provided with a diametrical projection K which engages in a groove of similar cross
section cut in the lower part of the vertical shaft of the turbine; and the box E' of
the pivot or foot pin is provided at its lower part with a similar diametrical groove L
in which engage the points of screws G', the arrangement being such that the said
box can be both adjusted in height and prevented from rotating. Also, the arms or
ribs of the support are rounded off at the bottom as shown in cross section at 1',
which obviates the formation of eddies. Further, the discharge-tube J' and the
arms of the support H' are connected together by means of lugs M and N, on the
support H' and the tube J¹ respectively, and screws O, which serves to consider-
ably shorten the tube J¹ and obviates the inconvenience of having to deepen or dig
out the bottom of the tail-race to a corresponding extent: if the pivot or foot pin
be taken to be at the same height as in the case illustrated in Fig. 1 it will be seen
that the floor is situated higher than it is in that case by the whole length
by which the discharge-tube is rendered shorter through the new mode of
connexion, M NO.
Important improvements have also been made in the distributor, the water-gate,
the casing, and the gate-operating arrangements. The upper ring P of the old
distributor (Fig. 1) is thin and difficult to mould and requires swellings for the
screws that serve to connect it with the lower flange Q of the casing R inside
which are arranged the racks S. These racks have planed backs, which bear
against a depending support forming part of the casing and are attached at their
lower part to the top of the water-gate T, which slides with slight play against the
lower annular projection U that is cast integrally with the bottom of the casing R.
Over the projection U and the water-gate T there is secured by means of screws a
ring V, formed in two pieces and designed to make a tight joint when the water-
gate is in its lowest position and is itself making a tight joint at its lower end.

page_text: These arrangements entail various inconveniences: the streams of liquid passing
under the ring P are turned inwards too abruptly, causing too great a contraction;
and the water-gate can be removed from the lower part of the casing only after the
removal of the ring V.
The improved arrangements shown in Fig. 2 serve to facilitate the entry of the
water, the working of the parts, and also the erection and taking apart of the same,
whilst at the same time the ring P is more effectually secured to the guide-blades
of the distributor. This ring is formed with its "small wings" and is well rounded
at the side from which the water enters the distributor, and its flat shape on the
underside allows one of the guide-blades of the distributor to be inserted as a slide,
so that, on removing this guide-blade, inspection of the blades A' may be made.
In the top of the ring Pa deep annular groove is made in which are fitted,
adjusted, and superposed the bipartite projecting ring U and the lower flange Qof
the casing. The joint with the annular projection U is made, when the gate is
closed, by a small annular projection V' cast in one with and at the top of the
gate T
With the new combination P', Q', U', V₁ there is provided, as will be seen from
Fig. 2, besides an casier entry for the water, the possibility of removing first of all
the casing R' and, immediately after, the gate T, although it' be cast with its "small
wings"; the two parts of the ring U₁ can be removed as soon as the gate T¹ is
somewhat raised; and the sliding guide-blade permits easy inspection of the
turbine-wheel. The lower ribs or wings, which are in one piece with the water-
gate, are adapted to slide between the inner vertical ribs of the guide-blades of
the distributor, and they pass in each distributor through the bottom of the ring
thereof.
With respect to the parts for operating the water-gate, it will be seen that in the
old turbine, shown in Fig. 1, the shaft a for working the gates is situated under the
roof or top of the casing R and of the stuffing box of the said casing, and that
the shaft a projects at each side through bearings c, of which one is simple, i.e.'has
its two portions similar, whilst the other has its top portion made in such a manner
as to form a footstep and an arched or looped collar-bearing d for the vertical
shaft e of the gate-operating mechanism. Also the grooved pulley f to which is
attached the lower end of the chain of the weight for balancing the gate, is
separate from the wheel g mounted on the shaft a that gears into the pinion mounted
on the shaft e. Also, the gearing for imparting rotation to the spindle e is mounted
on a fixed support formed by the top of the pillar and comprises an unenclosed
freely working worm the axle of which passes through two fixed lugs formed
integrally with the top of the pillar. The upper ends of the gate-operating racks
do not, in this construction, enter the lower aperture of the rack-boxes when the
gate is closed, so that the back of the rack has to be supported by means of a
depending projection forming one piece with the casing.
The corresponding arrangements employed in the new turbine (Fig. 2) are
different. Although at the same height, the shaft a for operating the gate, is
situated either below, or preferably as shown in Fig. 2, and in Figs. 24 to 28
and Figs. 31 to 33, above the top of the said casing, and above the stuffing-box 6',
the shaft a¹ being held on each side of the axis of the casing between the lower
part of each rack-box h¹ and projections i cast in one with the top of the casing, as
between the two parts of a pedestal-bearing. When the gate is closed, the top of
each rack is situate in the opening of its rack-box and bears with its back against
the well-machined face of the aperture formed in the casing, whereby the rack
is accurately guided on rising.
One of the boxes, constructed as to its lower part as shown in Figs. 34 to 38,
extends as far as the wheel g' (Fig. 2), as does also the projection i cast on the top
This projection
and at the edge of the casing, as shown in Figs. 31, 32, and 33.
forms a step or bearing. A collar t is also cast on the upper part of one of the
boxes and serves to guide the vertical shaft el, which is rotated either by means
of a bevel-pinion gearing into a horizontal bevel-wheel, or of a worm p, which may

page_text: he surrounded at its lower part by a shell k formed in one with the two lugs
between which the worm is held and with a bush 1, which is fitted loosely in the
top of the pillar and forms a bearing for the shaft e¹ on the upper part of which
there is fixed a helicoidal toothed wheel v.
The projections s, i, and t, just referred to, are dispensed with when the vertical
shafte for operating the gates is at a sufficient distance from the casing as shown
in dotted lines in the right-hand portion of Fig. 2. The rack-boxes on the two
sides are in this case made symmetrical and similar.
In the same portion of Fig. 2, there is shown in full lines a trunnion-bearing u,
illustrated to a larger scale in Figs. 27 to 30, which allows the whole turbine to be
turned about its axis so as to arrange the support of this bearing, whether against
the wall or on a floor beam, at any convenient spot for the apparatus and for
operating the worm.
The stuffing-box ₁, which is arranged inside the casing, is provided with an
annular cover made in two parts for the purpose of enabling it to be easily removed
even though the shaft a' be above the said stuffing-box, assuming that the said shaft
is situated a little to one side of the axis of the stuffing-box. Wedges & operated
by screws y having heads bearing on the cover m serve to tighten up the wooden
steps or bearing blocks surrounding the main shaft of the turbine.
From the description and illustration of the casing R', stuffing-box 61, and the
parts relating to the gates and their operating-mechanism, it will be seen that the
shaft al is practically entirely outside the casing and can be readily inspected and
removed; that the racks S³, without being longer than usual, are supported at
their upper portions, when the gate is closed, against one of the faces of the
lower opening of each rack-box h'; that one of these hoxes has cast on it, but
only when the shaft is close to the casing, two projections, the lower one s of
which serves as a footstep for the shaft e, and the upper one t as a collar-bearing;
that the wheel g' and the pulley f¹ are made in one and the same piece; that the
gearing at the upper end of the shaft e¹ is capable of adjustment, as is also that at
its lower end when the spindle e' is at a distance from the cover, as shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 2, .e. the horizontal axis of the worm is capable of turning
horizontally about the axis of the vertical shaft et this worm being situated in an
oil bath formed by the shell k; and that the support of the trunnion-bearing u
may be placed in any desired position at the required height.
The adjustability of the axis of the worm by means of the rotary bush 1
(Figs. 20 to 23) which may turn on the pillar shown in Fig. 2 on any support
placed flat as shown in Figs. 24 and 25, or against a wall as shown in Fig. 26, allows
the axis of this worm to be placed in the position most convenient for manipulation
aud to be fixed in the desired position by tightening up a side screw z.
u
As the support o of the looped bearing of the vertical gate-operating shaft e¹
also possesses this adjustability, the positions of this shaft and of the worm p may
be adjusted with the greatest ease. The inverted arrangement of a stuffing-box
entering the casing, or of a box such as barranged under the shaft a¹, and
constructed as hereinbefore described, enables the new turbine to work with a
lower level than the old turbine, and as it is important that the stuffing-box shall
be constantly submerged, this constitutes a considerable advantage.
Dated this 11th day of January 1895.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improv
!, ALBERT SINGRÜN, of Epinal, Vosges, in the Republic of France, Designing
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to turbines of the inward-flow class and its object is to
increase the efficiency of such turbines; to render them stronger and lighter; to
facilitate their construction, erection, and inspection; and to enable them to be
packed for transport in as advanced a stage of erection as possible.
My improvements comprise modifications in the manner of fixing the blades, the
box, and the footstep-bearing of the pivot of the turbine, and in the arms of the
lower cross-piece or support; they also relate to the connection of this cross-piece
with the discharge-tube, and to certain parts of the casing and the water-gate
mechanism, as I will now proceed to explain by reference to the drawings filed
with my Provisional Specification.
In these drawings,
Fig. 1 shows a half vertical section along the axis of the main shaft of a turbine
as hitherto ordinarily constructed, parts being shown in elevation.
Fig. 2 is a view showing a similar section, taken on the other side of the said
axis, of a turbine constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 3 to 38 inclusive are detail-views.
Figs. 3 to 19 inclusive show various forms of the heel-piece of each blade and
various modes of inserting the said heel-piece into, and securing it to, the blade-
carrier;
Figs. 20, 21, 22, and 23 show respectively two sections taken at right-angles to
each other, an elevation, and a plan of the movable support for adjusting the shaft
that carries the toothed or worm gear for operating the water-gate, whether the
said adjusting support be itself carried by a pillar as shown in full lines in Fig. 2;
or by any other means of support, e.g. those shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in
full lines in Figs. 24, 25, and 26;
Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30 illustrate in vertical section in front elevation, in side
elevation, and in plan respectively the adjustable combined footstep and collar
bearing which supports and guides the vertical water-gate operating-shaft when
this shaft is arranged at a distance from the casing, and which is in its turn
carried by a support placed flat on a beam, or fitted against a wall as shown in
Fig. 2;
Figs. 31 to 33 inclusive show my improved casing, Fig. 31 showing a section
taken along the axis of the horizontal shaft and along that of the stuffing-box;
Fig. 32 showing a section taken along the axis of the stuffing-box but
perpendicularly to the section shown in Fig. 31, and Fig. 33 showing the cover in
plan.
Figs. 34 to 38 inclusive show clearly in side elevation, front elevation, vertical
section, horizontal section, and plan, respectively, the arrangement of the
rack-boxes, and particularly of that box which is provided with the projections
and (hereinafter referred to) when the vertical water-gate operating-shaft is
arranged quite close to the casing.
S
In turbines as hitherto ordinarily constructed (see Fig. 1) each blade A is fixed
to the blade-carrier B by means of a pin or cylindrical nipple C which necessitates the
thickening of the blade at the place where the said nipple is attached. A screw passed
into the said nipple serves to draw it up and to tighten the blade against the blade"

page_text: carrier. This mode of attachment is faulty, because not only is the swelling of the
blade below the nipple a hindrance to the flow of the water, but also the blade
itself, being held by a single short cylindrical nipple about the axis of which it
has a tendency to turn in all directions in consequence of the various actions
and reactions of the water, has but slight stability, which sometimes gives rise to
accidents.
In my improved turbine (see Fig. 2), each blade A¹ is cast in one with a
heel-piece D of circular segmental form and of a length equal to that of the circum-
ference of a circle passing through the middle of the ring formed by the whole of
the heel-pieces when put together, n being the number of the blades A. Each
heel-piece D is fitted into a groove or recess of similar shape formed, preferably by
means of a lathe, in the blade-carrier B, and is held by at least two screws or pins,
the points of which are or may be riveted over. When all the blades are in
position, the heel-pieces form a continuous ring, which accurately fits, and is firmly
held in, the groove in the blade-carrier B', as shown in Figs. 3 to 19, which
clearly represent the shape of the heel-piece and the mode of securing it in place.
The heel-piece D may vary as to its form, the manner in which it is cast with the
blade and fastened thereto, and the manner in which it is fixed to the blade carrier.
For instance, it may be arranged as shown in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive; in Figs. 8 to 12
inclusive; in Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive; or as in Figs. 18 and 19, the heel-piece D
always consisting however of a segment of a circular ring and being always
fitted into a groove or recess in the blade-carrier and held therein by at least two
screws or pins.
In the ordinary turbine (Fig. 1) the lower portion of the vertical shaft on which
the blade-carrier B is keyed, enters freely into its footstep and is in no way attached
thereto. Also, the box E of the pivot is prevented from rotating by lateral
screws F which hinder the flow of the water, whilst one or more bottom screws G
serve to adjust the box as regards height. Further, the discharge-tube J and the
cross-piece or support H, the arms of which are square or flat at the botton in
cross section, as indicated at I, are constructed and arranged as shown in the lower
part of Fig. 1.
In my improved turbine (Fig. 2) the upper side of the lower portion of the
footstep is provided with a diametrical projection K, which engages in a groove of
similar cross section cut in the lower part of the vertical shaft of the turbine; and
the box E of the pivot, or foot pin is provided at its lower part with a similar
diametrical groove L in which engage the points of screws G³ the arrangement
being such that the said box can be both adjusted in height and prevented from
rotating without the aid of lateral screws. Also, the arms or ribs of the support
are rounded at the bottom as shown in cross-section at 14, which obviates the
formation of eddies. Furthermore the discharge-tube J₁ and the arms of the
support H' are connected together by means of lugs M and N, on the support H'
and the tube J¹ respectively, and screws O, which arrangement serves to shorten
the tube J¹ considerably and obviates the inconvenience of having to deepen or dig
out the bottom of the tail-race to a corresponding extent. Thus if the pivot or
foot-pin be taken to be at the same height as in the case illustrated in Fig. 1, it
will be seen that the bottom of the tail-race is situated higher than in that case by
the whole length by which the discharge tube is rendered shorter through the new
mode of connection, M N O.
The invention also relates to important improvements in the distributor, the
water-gate, the casing, and the gate-operating arrangements. The upper ring P
of the old distributor (Fig. 1) is thin and difficult to mould and requires swellings
for the screws that serve to connect it with the lower flange Q of the casing R
inside which are arranged the racks S. These racks have planed backs which
bear against a depending support forming part of the casing and are attached at
their lower part to the top of the water-gate T, which slides with slight play
against the lower annular projection.U that is cast integrally with the bottom of
the casing R. Over the projection U and the water-gate T there is secured, by

page_text: means of screws, a ring V, formed in two pieces and designed to make a tight joint
when the water-gate is in its lowest position and is itself making a tight joint at its
lower end.
These arrangements entail various inconveniences, the streams of liquid passing
under the ring P are turned inwards too abruptly, causing too great a contraction:
and the water-gate can only be removed from the lower part of the casing afte.
the removal of the ring V.
The improved arrangements shown in Fig. 2, serve to facilitate the entry of the
water, the working of the parts, and the erection and taking apart of the same.
whilst at the same time the ring P¹ is more effectually secured to the guide-plate:
of the distributor, being preferably cast integrally therewith. This ring is well
rounded at the side from which the water enters the distributor; whilst its flat
shape on the underside allows one of the guide-blades of the distributor being
inserted between the two rings thereof as a slide, so that on removing this guide-
blade, inspection of the blades A' can be made. In the top of the ring Pi a deep
annular groove is made in which are fitted, adjusted, and superposed the projecting
ring U which is made in two equal parts, and the lower flange Q' of the casing..
The joint with the annular projection U is made, when the gate is closed, by a
small annular projection V' cast in one with and at the upper part of the gate T¹.
With the new combination P, Q, U, V₁ there is provided, as will be seen
from Fig. 2, besides an easier entry for the water, the possibility of first of all
removing the casing R₁ and, immediately after, the gate T, although it is cast
integrally with the small blades at its foot; the two parts of the ring U₁ can be
removed as soon as the gate T¹ is somewhat raised; and the sliding guide-blade
permits easy inspection of the turbine-wheel. The small blades just referred to are
adapted to slide between the inner vertical ribs of the guide-blades of the distributor
and to pass during the removal of the gate T¹, through openings formed in the
ring Pi
With respect to the parts for operating the water gate, it will be seen that in the
old turbine, shown in Fig. 1, the shaft a for working the gates is situated under
the roof or top of the casing R and of the stuffing box 6 of the said casing, and
that the shaft a projects at each side through bearings c, of which one is simple, i.e.
has its two portions similar, whilst the other has its top portion made in such a
manner as to form a footstep and an arched or looped collar bearing d for the
vertical shaft e of the gate-operating mechanism. Also, the grooved pulley f to
which is attached the lower end of the chain of the weight for balancing the gate,
is separate from the wheel g mounted on the shaft a that gears with the pinion
mounted on the shaft e. Further, the gearing for imparting rotation to the
spindle e is mounted on a fixed support formed by the top of the pillar and
comprises an unenclosed, freely working worm, the axle of which passes through
two fixed lugs formed integrally with the top of the pillar. The upper end of the
gate-operating racks, do not, in this construction enter the lower aperture of
the rack-boxes when the gate is closed, so that the back of the rack has to be
supported by means of a depending projection that forms oue piece with the
casing.
The corresponding arrangements employed in the new turbine (Fig. 2) are
different. Although at the same height, the shaft a' for operating the gate, is
carried either below, or preferably, as shown in Fig. 2 and in Figs. 31 to 33, above
the top of the said casing, and above the stuffing-box 6', being held on each side of
the axis of the casing between the lower part of each rack-box h¹ and projections i
cast in one with the top of the casing, as between the two parts of a pedestal-
bearing. When the gate is closed, the top of each rack S₁ is situated in the
opening of its rack-box, and at its back bears against the well machined facej of
the aperture formed in the casing, (see Figs. 31 & 33) whereby the rack is
accurately guided on rising.
One of the boxes, constructed as to its lower part as shown in Figs. 34 to 38,
is provided with a projections which extends as far as the wheel g₁ (Fig. 2,) as

page_text: may
does also the projection i cast on the top and at the edge of the casing
(see Figs. 31, 32, and 33). The projections forms a footstep or bearing for the
vertical shaft e'. A collar t is also cast on the upper part of one of the boxes h
and serves to guide the said vertical shaft . This shaft is rotated either by means
of a bevel-pinion gearing into a horizontal bevel-wheel, or of a worm which
P,
be surrounded at its lower part by a shell (Figs. 20, 22, and 23) formed in one
with two lugs between which the worm is held endways and with a bush l, which is
fitted loosely in the top of the pillar and forms a bearing for the shaft e¹, on the
upper part of which there is fixed a worm wheel in gear with the worm.
projections s, i, and thereinbefore referred to, are dispensed with when the vertical
shafte for operating the gates is at a sufficient distance from the casing, as shown
in dotted lines in the right-hand portion of Fig. 2. The rack-boxes on the two
sides are in this case made symmetrical and similar.
The
In the same portion of Fig. 2, there is shown in full lines, a trunnion-bearing U,
illustrated to a larger scale in Figs. 27 to 30, which allows the whole turbine to be
turned about its axis so as to arrange the support of this bearing, whether against
the wall or on a floor beam, at any spot convenient for the apparatus and for
operating the worm.
The stuffing box b', which is arranged inside the casing, is provided with an
annular cover m made in two parts for the purpose of enabling it to be easily
removed even though the shaft a' be above the said stuffing-box, assuming that the
said shaft is situated a little to one side of the axis of the stuffing-box. Wedges
operated by screws y having heads bearing on the cover m, serve to tighten up
the wooden steps or bearing blocks surrounding the main shaft of the turbine.
From the description and illustration of the casing R', stuffing-box b', and the
parts relating to the gates and their operating-mechanisin, it will be seen that
the shaft a¹ is practically entirely outside the casing, and can be readily inspected
and removed; that the racks S', without being longer than usual, are supported at
their upper portions, when the gate is closed, against one of the faces of the
opening of each rack-box; that one of these boxes has cast on it, but only when
the shaft e is to be close to the casing, two projections, the lower ones of which
serves as a footstep for the shaft e, and the upper one t as a collar-bearing; that
the wheel g and the pulley f' are made in one piece; that the gearing at the
upper end of the shaft e¹ is capable of adjustment, i.e. the axis of the worm p,
which is located in an oil-bath formed by the shell k, is capable of turning
horizontally about the axis of the vertical shaft e¹; and that the lower end of the
shaft e¹ is also capable of adjustment when the said shaft e¹ is at a distance from
the casing as shown in dotted lines allowing the support o of the trunnion
bearing U to be placed in any desired position at the required height.
The adjustability of the axis of the worm p by means of the rotary bush?
(Figs. 20 to 23) which may turn on the pillar shown in Fig. 2 or a suitable horizontal
support, as shown in Figs. 24 and 25, or against a wall as shown in Fig. 26, allows
the axis of this worm to be placed in the position most convenient for manipulation
and to be fixed in the desired position by tightening up a side screw. As the
support o of the looped bearing u of the vertical gate-operating shaft e¹ also possesses
this adjustability the positions of this shaft and of the worm p can be adjusted with
the greatest ease.
The inverted arrangement of a stuffing-box entering the casing, or of a box such
as barranged under the shaft a', and constructed as hereinbefore described, enables
the new turbine to work with a lower water-level than the old turbine, and as it is
important that the stuffing-box shall be constantly submerged, this constitutes a
considerable advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An inward-flow turbine, each blade or vane A' of which has cast integrally

page_text: with it at its upper part a heel-piece D which is fixed on or in the blade-carrier by
two or more screws or pins, and is of such a size and shape that the whole of the
heel-pieces constitute together a complete circular ring, substantially as hereinbefore
described and as shown in Fig. 2, Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive, Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive,
Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive, and Figs. 18 and 19 of the drawings.
2. In an inward-flow turbine, a pivot-box E which is formed in its underside for
the purpose specified, with a diametrical groove Lin which engage the end of two
vertical screws G₁, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2
of the drawings for the purpose specified.
3. In an inward-flow turbine the combination of a cross-piece or support H', the
arms or ribs of which are rounded at the bottom in transverse section, with the
discharge-tube J¹, the cross-pieces or supports H' and the tube J¹ being connected
together by means of screws O and of lugs M and N on the cross pieces H' and the
bottom of the tube J1 respectively, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.
4. In an inward-flow turbine, the combination of the upper distributor-ring P',
well rounded on its exterior, the lower flange Q' of the casing, the movable ring U',
and the annular projection V₁ carried by the gate T', substantially as herein before
described with reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.
5. In an inward-flow turbine, the casing R', which is of less height than hitherto
usual and the roof or cover of which carries a central downwardly projecting stuffing-
box and at two diametrically opposite points projections i, in the shape of half-
pedestals, on which rests the horizontal gate-shaft a¹ whether or not one of these
projections extend further outside the casing than the other in order to obviate
the necessity of supporting the said shaft by means of a bracket, substantially as
herein before described with reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 31 to 33 of the
drawings.
6. In an inward-flow turbine, the combination of rack-boxes h¹ the lower parts of
which are arranged to form pedestal-caps for the shaft a¹ and to cover the rack-
pinions with the casing R' having apertures the faces j of which serve as supports
and guides for the planed backs of the racks S', whether or not one of the boxes
have at its lower part and above the corresponding projection of the casing, a
projections, forming a footstep for the vertical shaft e¹ of the gate-operating
mechanism, and at its upper part and at the same side a collar t, forming a guide
for the said shaft e¹, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and
shown in Fig. 2, and Figs. 34 to 38 inclusive of the drawings.
7. In an inward-flow turbine, the combination with the shaft a¹ of the pulley f¹
and toothed wheel gl made in one piece, the trunnion-bearing u, and the supports
allowing of the adjustment of the position of the shaft e¹, substantially as herein-
before described with reference to the drawings.
8. In an inward-flow turbine, the support with lugs which is adjustable about the
axis of the shaft e by means of a bush that loosely embraces the vertical shaft e¹
at the upper end of which is fixed the wheel v, whether bevel or worm gear be used,
and whether or not the said support be formed with a shell k adapted to serve as an
oil-bath in which the worm p may dip, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the drawings.
9. In an inward-flow turbine, the loop and trunnion-bearing u adapted to turn
freely in the supporting-collar o, substantially as herein before described with reference
to the drawings.
10. In an inward-flow turbine, the box arranged centrally with regard to and
extending into, the casing R' and provided with the cover m made in two separate
parts and with the wedges z adapted to be operated by the screws y to tighten up
the wooden steps or bearing blocks against the main shaft of the turbine, substan-
tially as herein before described with reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.
11. My improved turbine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to and shown in the drawings, whether the blades A¹ be provided with heel-pieces
B

page_text: substantially as shown in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive; in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive; in
Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive; or in Figs. 18 and 19 of the said drawings.
Dated this 24th day of July 1895.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.