IMPROVEMENTS IN TURBINES
Year: 1884

page_text: JOHN RITCHIE Norton Park Edinburgh Midlothian Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN TURBINES to be as follows:-
This invention relates to what are known as inward flow Turbines, having
circular gates for the admission of water to the wheel; and consists of an improved
method of directing the water through the gate, and also of means by which
Turbine gates are more easily worked than heretofore.
I insert guide blades fixed to the outer case of the turbine, and projecting into
the open space between the bars of the circular gate, so that however much the
gate may be opened or closed, the line of direction of the entering water is not
altered as to the angle at which it meets the vanes of the wheel.
It will be seen from the accompanying drawing, Fig 6. that in Turbines working
with the gate partly open, and constructed without these guide blades, the water
after passing the reduced opening formed by the outer edge of the gate, has to
traverse a space of much greater capacity before it strikes the wheel, thus its
inertia is in a great measure lost, My invention causes the water to be directed in
a stream of any desired thickness straight on to the wheel.
These guides may be made of any metalic or other substance impervious to
water.
I apply the power for rotating the gate at two opposite sides, so as to obviate
any tilting action that may take place when the power is applied to one side
only.
I also apply friction rollers or balls under the lower edge of the circular gate so
as to reduce the friction in working-See M. M. Fig 1.
In reference to the illustrations
Fig 1, A is the wheel, B the circular rotating gate, interposed between the wheel
and the fixed outer case C. F, F, are two pinions keyed on vertical spindles H, H,
gearing into racks G G cast on the gate B, These spindles may either be actuated
by levers I, I, connected by rods J, J, Fig 4. or by a train of gearing K L K,
Fig 2.
Fig 5 shews the gate full open for the admission of water through the ports E, E.
Fig 6 shews the port E partially closed and the use of the guide blades D.
Dated this 22rd dex of June 1884

page_text: JOHN RITCHIE Norton Park Edinburgh Midlothian Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN TURBINES 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 what are known as "Inward flow Turbines," having
circular gates for the admission of water to the wheel, and consists of an improved
method of directing the water through the gate, and also of means by which
turbine gates are more easily worked than heretofore.
In order to effect the first of these. I insert guide blades fixed to the outer case
of the turbine, and projecting into the open space between the bars of the circular
gate, so that however much the gate may be opened or closed, the line of direction
of the entering water is not altered as to the angle at which it meets the vanes of
the wheel.
It will be seen from the accompanying drawing Fig 6, that in turbines working
with the gate partly open, and constructed without these guide blades, the water
after passing the reduced opening formed by the outer edge of the gate, has to
traverse a space of much greater capacity before it strikes the wheel, thus, its
inertia is in a great measure lost, My invention causes the water to be directed in
a stream of any desired thickness, straight on to the wheel.
These guide blades may be inado of any metallic or other substance impervious
to water, but are usually brass or gun metal, They are fixed by countersunk
screws to the vertical bars of the outer case, so as to be removable.
I make the top cross of the gate a seperate casting and fixed to it by screws, EO
that by taking off the cross the wheel may be lifted out of its seat, without
removing the gate, or the guide blades.
I also apply friction rollers, or balls under the lower edge of the circular gate so
as to reduce the friction in working, see M M. Fig 1.
In reference to the illustrations
Fig 1. A is the wheel, B the circular rotating gate, interposed between the fixed
outer case C and the wheel, F, F, are two pinions keyed on vertical spindles H, I,
gearing into racks G, G, cast on the cross B¹, These spindles may either bo
actuated by levers II, connected by rods J, J, Fig 4. or by a train of gearing K L K.
Fig 2.
Fig 5, shews the gate full open for the admission of water through the ports E E.
Fig 6 shews the port E partially closed and the use of the guide blades D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st The application of guide blades, fixed to the outer case, and projecting
through the bars of the gate, all as described.
2nd Applying the power for moving the gate from both sides simultaneously, as
described and illustrated on drawings.

page_text: 3rd. The application of friction rollers or balls to the under side of the gates of
turbines, as described and illustrated.
4th Making the top cross of the gate in as separate casting and fixing the same
to gate, as described and for the purpose indicated.