U.S. patent application number 13/061933 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-01 for hydropower plant.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aloys Wobben. Invention is credited to Rolf Rohden.
Application Number | 20110293416 13/061933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41606159 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110293416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rohden; Rolf |
December 1, 2011 |
HYDROPOWER PLANT
Abstract
There is provided a hydropower plant having a flow passage in
the form of an S-pipe and having first, second and third portions.
The flow passage has a first diameter and a first center line in
the first portion and a second diameter and a second center line in
the third portion. A spacing is provided between the first and
second center lines. The hydropower plant further has turbine
blades in the first portion and a generator coupled to the turbine
blades by a shaft in the third portion. The flow passage
substantially comprises steel in the region of the generator.
Inventors: |
Rohden; Rolf; (Aurich,
DE) |
Assignee: |
Wobben; Aloys
Aurich
DE
|
Family ID: |
41606159 |
Appl. No.: |
13/061933 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
August 24, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP09/60888 |
371 Date: |
August 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/223 20130101;
Y02E 10/20 20130101; Y02E 10/28 20130101; F03B 13/08 20130101; Y02E
10/22 20130101; Y02E 10/226 20130101; F03B 11/02 20130101; F05B
2250/70 20130101; E02B 9/06 20130101; F05B 2280/1071 20130101; F05C
2201/0448 20130101; F03B 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/221 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/24 20060101
F01D025/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 3, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 045 500.8 |
Claims
1. A hydropower plant comprising a flow passage in the form of a
pipe and having first, second and third portions, wherein the flow
passage has a first diameter and a first center line in the first
portion and a second diameter and a second center line in the third
portion, wherein a spacing is provided between the first and second
center lines, turbine blades in the first portion and a generator
coupled to the turbine blades by a shaft in the third portion,
wherein the flow passage substantially comprises steel in the
region of the generator in the third portion.
2. A hydropower plant as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ratio
between a length of the second portion to the spacing between the
first and second center lines is between 2 and 4.
3. A hydropower plant as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ratio
between the length and the spacing is 3.
4. A hydropower plant as set forth in claim 1 wherein a foundation
for the generator is provided in the region of a roof of the flow
passage in the third portion and is preferably in the form of a
steel structure.
5. A hydropower plant as set forth in claim 4 wherein the
foundation is of such a design configuration that it can carry away
the hydrodynamic loads in the flow passage in the third
portion.
6. A hydropower plant as set forth in claim 1 comprising a first
and/or second enlargement at the first and/or third portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention concerns a hydropower plant.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Various hydropower plants are known.
[0005] An example of a known hydropower plant having an S-pipe
geometry is shown in FIG. 1. In this case a flow passage 40 can be
of an S-shaped configuration having first, second and third
portions 100, 200, 300. In this case the first and third portions
100, 300 can be substantially straight and the first and second
portions are arranged at a spacing from each other. The second
portion 200 serves to connect the first and third portions 100,
300. The rotor with the turbine blades 10 can be provided in the
region of the first portion. The turbine blades 10 can be coupled
to a generator 30 by way of a shaft. The turbine blades 10 are
driven by the flow of water flowing through the flow passage 40 and
that rotary movement is converted into electrical energy in the
generator. The generator 30 is usually arranged on a foundation 50
of concrete.
[0006] As state of the art attention is directed to FR 2 550 826,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,142, U.S. Pat. No. 1,859,215 and JP 60-008474
A.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a
hydropower plant having improved efficiency.
[0008] According to one embodiment, there is provided a hydropower
plant having a flow passage in the form of an S-pipe and having
first, second and third portions. The flow passage has a first
diameter and a first center line in the first portion and a second
diameter and a second center line in the third portion. A spacing
is provided between the first and second center lines. The
hydropower plant further has turbine blades in the first portion
and a generator coupled to the turbine blades by a shaft in the
third portion. The flow passage substantially comprises steel in
the region of the generator.
[0009] In an aspect of the present invention the ratio between a
length of the second portion to the spacing between the first and
second center lines is between 2 and 4 and preferably 3.
[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention
a foundation for the generator is provided in the region of a roof
of the flow passage in the third portion. The roof can be for
example in the form of a steel structure.
[0011] In a further aspect of the invention the foundation is of
such a design configuration that it can carry away the hydrodynamic
loads in the flow passage in the third portion.
[0012] In a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided a first and second enlargement at the first or third
portion.
[0013] The invention is based on the realization that typically
only the situation in front of and behind the rotor blades is
considered. In that respect it can happen that losses occurring in
the flow passage and in the suction intake pipe are disregarded. In
particular the design configuration of the third portion should be
such that the hydrodynamic loads occurring in the suction intake
pipe are carried away. The ceiling of the flow passage in the third
portion must be of a suitable configuration for that purpose.
However the configuration of the ceiling of the flow passage in the
third portion also influences the gradient in the suction intake
pipe or in the second portion of the flow passage. The required
gradient in the second portion can be reduced by virtue of the
ceiling of the flow passage in the third portion being of an
improved configuration. That can be effected for example by using
steel for carrying away the hydrodynamic loads. It is thus possible
to achieve a lower gradient, larger radii of curvature and more
advantageous flow properties in the flow passage 40.
[0014] Further configurations of the invention are subject-matter
of the appendant claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments by way of example and advantages of the
invention are described in greater detail hereinafter with
reference to the drawing.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a hydropower plant
according to the state of the art,
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a hydropower plant
according to the a first embodiment,
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a hydropower plant
in accordance with a second embodiment, and
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a hydropower plant in
accordance with the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a hydropower plant in
accordance with a first embodiment. The hydropower plant has first,
second and third portions 100, 200, 300. A flow passage 40 is
substantially in the form of an S-pipe and extends through the
first, second and third portions 100, 200, 300. In the first
portion 100 the flow passage is substantially straight and has a
first diameter 400 and a first center line 410. In the third
portion 300 the flow passage is also substantially straight and has
a second diameter 500 and a second center line 510. The second
portion 200 connects the first to the third portions 100, 300. The
first and second center lines 410, 510 are arranged spaced relative
to each other by a first spacing 600.
[0021] In the region of the first portion 100 there is provided the
rotor having the turbine blades 10. A generator 30 is arranged on a
foundation 50 in the region of the third portion 300. The rotor 10
is connected to the generator 30 by way of a shaft 20.
[0022] Optionally a first or second enlargement 800, 900 of the
flow passage can be provided at the first and/or third portion 100,
300. The second portion 200 can have a center line 220. The center
line 220 can have a gradient of .alpha., wherein .alpha. can be
between 10.degree. and 30.degree., in particular between 18.degree.
and 22.degree. and can preferably be 21.degree..
[0023] The pressure region is provided in the first portion 100 and
the suction intake region of the flow passage is provided in the
portion downstream of the turbine 10.
[0024] In this respect the first, second and third regions 100,
200, 300 are of such a configuration that the flow does not break
away from the passage wall. The second portion 200 can be longer
than in the state of the art by virtue of the configuration of the
flow passage 40 in accordance with the first embodiment.
[0025] The roof 41 of the flow passage 40 in the third portion is
of such a configuration that it can carry the hydrodynamic loads
occurring. The roof 41 can comprise for example steel for carrying
away the hydrodynamic loads. The roof 41 or the portion of the flow
passage 40 in the region beneath the generator 30 optionally
comprises steel and in particular high-quality steel. High-quality
steel is used in particular for the surface in contact with the
water. Thus the flow passage 40 can be substantially made from
concrete, wherein the region beneath the generator 30 is provided
of (high-quality) steel.
[0026] In accordance with the first embodiment the generator 30 can
be arranged on steel rails or steel bearers as the foundation 50,
which can be combined with the roof 41. The steel bearers serve to
carry the hydrodynamic loads of the flow passage.
[0027] The generator 30 can preferably be coupled without a
transmission to the shaft 20 or the rotor blades. It is possible in
that way to avoid fewer losses in the drive train and rapidly
rotating components. This is particularly advantageous because a
lower level of maintenance complication and expenditure and a lower
level of use of oil-bearing operating fluids is required. The rotor
10 can preferably be in the form of an upstream rotor, which
permits optimum afflux flow conditions. The impeller can be in the
form of a supporting structure so that a minimum number of
installation fitments is required in the drive water passage. The
design configuration of the hydropower plant and in particular that
of the flow passage 40 make it possible to avoid small deflection
radii so that there are minimum water head losses at the
turbine.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a hydropower plant according to
a second embodiment. The hydropower plant has first, second and
third portions 100, 200, 300 with a flow passage 400. In addition
turbine blades 10 and a shaft connected thereto are provided in the
flow passage 40. A generator 30 is provided on a foundation 50
outside the flow passage 40.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a hydropower plant in
accordance with a second embodiment. The hydropower plant has
first, second and third portions 100, 200, 300. A flow passage 40
is substantially in the form of an S-pipe and extends through the
first, second and third portions 100, 200, 300. In the first
portion 100 the flow passage is substantially straight and has a
first diameter 400 and a first center line 410. In the third
portion 300 the flow passage is also substantially straight and has
a second diameter 500 and a second center line 510. The second
portion 200 connects the first to the third portion 100, 300. The
first and second center lines 410, 510 are arranged spaced from
each other by a first spacing 600.
[0030] The rotor with the turbine blades 10 is arranged in the
region of the first portion 100. A generator 30 is arranged in the
region of the third portion 300 on a foundation 50. The rotor 10 is
connected to the generator 30 by way of a shaft 20.
[0031] Optionally a first or second enlargement 800, 900 of the
flow passage can be provided at the first and/or third portion 100,
300. The second portion 200 can have a center line 220. The center
line 220 can have a gradient of .alpha., wherein a can be between
10.degree. and 30.degree., in particular between 18.degree. and
22.degree., and can preferably be 21.degree..
[0032] The first and second diameters 400, 500 can be between 4 m
and 6 m, preferably between 4.50 m and 5 m and in particular can be
4.8 m. The length 700 of the second portion 200 can be between 15 m
and 21 m, preferably 18 m. The spacing 600 between the two center
lines 410, 510 can be between 4 m and 8 m, preferably being 6
m.
[0033] The ratio of the length 700 of the second portion 200 to the
spacing between the first and second center lines 410, 510 is
between 2 and 4, preferably 3.
[0034] In an embodiment of the invention the ratio between the
first and second diameters 400, 500 and the length 700 of the
second portion 200 can be between 0.15 and 0.35 and in particular
0.267. In a further aspect of the invention the ratio of the first
or second diameter 400, 500 to the angle a can be between 0.2 and
0.3 and in particular 0.229.
[0035] The configuration according to the invention of the S-pipe
or the flow passage makes it possible to achieve a harmonic
transition between the first and second and between the second and
third portions. That is particularly advantageous as that makes it
possible to reduce turbulence effects in the flow passage.
* * * * *