Holding device for shaft turbine

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shaft turbine system comprising a turbine-generator unit and a positioning device for positioning the turbine-generator unit in an intake basin. Related documents are known from the prior art.

[0002] A water power generator with a tubular turbine generator housed in a piston-shaped inner casing is already known from US4289971A. The turbine rotor of the generator is connected to a main shaft of the power generator. The outer casing is coupled to the inner casing by guide vanes. A suction pipe is coupled to the downstream end of the outer casing. The invention further comprises a liftable gate positioned to dam a water channel, wherein the gate is vertically movable, has an annular opening, and the annular upstream end of the outer casing of the water power generator is fixedly attached to the annular opening of the gate.

[0003] Furthermore, EP1451918B1 discloses a device for generating electrical energy from a flowing medium, e.g., water, comprising a number of turbine-generator units arranged at least sectionally one above the other and / or side by side and connected to one or more modules, characterized in that at least one generator of a turbine-generator unit is designed as a synchronous generator, in which permanent magnetic poles are provided for excitation. Document EP1451918B1 also describes that the turbine-generator units or the modules can be connected to a lifting and lowering device. A more detailed embodiment of this lifting and lowering device is not specified.

[0004] Furthermore, EP1455087B1 describes a method for modifying a power generation plant located in a waterway. The document describes how, in power generation plants located in an existing waterway using modules consisting of several turbine-generator units, it is necessary that the module can be lifted out of the waterway to completely clear the waterway when required (e.g., in the event of an impending flood). For this purpose, guides are provided in the fixed structures of the waterway, guiding the module during lifting. This ensures that the module's position is fixed in all lifting positions and, in particular, that the intended operating position is reliably reached during lowering. The document further describes that a lifting device for raising and lowering the module(s) may optionally be arranged in the waterway.However, the specific positioning of a turbine-generator unit in its operating position is not addressed at any point.

[0005] Finally, a generic apparatus and a method for generating electrical energy were disclosed from WO03023223A2.

[0006] The known designs of a turbine-generator unit from the prior art only describe partially satisfactory solutions, especially for use in a mine power plant.

[0007] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a shaft turbine system by means of which a mechanically robust and as simple as possible positioning of a turbine generator unit is made possible.

[0008] This problem is solved by a device and a method according to the claims.

[0009] The shaft turbine system according to the invention comprises a turbine-generator device for generating electricity by converting the energy of an outflow from an upper water level into a lower water level in a shaft power plant with an intake basin, and a positioning device for positioning the turbine-generator device in an intake basin of the shaft power plant.

[0010] The turbine-generator assembly comprises an annular casing with an inlet area and an outlet area, a ring generator, and a turbine impeller with a rotating axis. In the inlet area, the annular casing includes a pear-shaped bearing assembly aligned along the rotating axis, the bearing assembly being fixed to the annular casing by means of at least one connecting element, and a turbine shaft aligned along the rotating axis being supported by means of the bearing assembly, the turbine impeller being non-rotatably coupled to the turbine shaft in the outlet area.

[0011] The ring generator comprises a ring generator stator, wherein the ring generator stator is rotationally fixed to the ring housing in the run-out region. Furthermore, the ring generator comprises a ring generator rotor, wherein the ring generator rotor is rotationally fixed to the turbine runner at an outer diameter of the turbine runner or at an outer diameter with the turbine runner blades.

[0012] The positioning device comprises a lifting device and a guide device, wherein the turbine-generator device can be moved along the guide device at least between an operating position and a maintenance position by means of the lifting device.

[0013] The turbine-generator unit further comprises a support element, wherein the support element is arranged downstream of the ring generator in the flow direction and is coupled to the ring generator stator. The positioning device further comprises a clamping device, wherein a connection surface of the support element can be applied or pressed against a wall section of the inlet basin facing the underwater or against a stationary counter-connection surface by means of the clamping device when the turbine-generator unit is positioned in the operating position.

[0014] The support element is designed in such a way that it aligns the turbine-generator unit with a draft tube or flow channel located or positioned within the structure of the shaft power plant, in conjunction with the positioning device. This creates a closed flow channel between the upstream and downstream water levels, whereby the operating medium, such as water, is guided through the turbine-generator unit, resulting in an outflow of the upstream water into the downstream water level.

[0015] An advantage of this design is that, thanks to the positioning device in combination with the support element, the turbine-generator unit can be easily moved between the operating and maintenance positions. At the same time, it is ensured that the flow through the turbine-generator unit is sealed off from the structure of the shaft power plant by the clamping device. The clamping device's advantageous effect is particularly pronounced because the turbine-generator unit according to the invention is exceptionally compact. The use of a ring generator contributes to this compactness, as it significantly reduces the size of the bearing assembly compared to an internal generator.

[0016] Furthermore, pressing or positioning the support element using the clamping device significantly improves or even eliminates gap losses in the operating range of the turbine-generator unit, while still allowing for easy relocation of the turbine-generator unit into the maintenance position. The aforementioned compact design of the turbine-generator unit facilitates this, as its compact form allows the center of gravity of the turbine-generator unit to be shifted towards the support element, thus requiring less clamping force from the clamping device to press the connecting surface tightly against the mating surface.

[0017] A synergistic advantage of the compact design and simple construction of the positioning device is that a smaller infrastructure can be used to install such a turbine-generator unit according to the invention, and a smaller crane can be used to lift and lower the turbine-generator unit, which has a significant impact on the construction costs of the shaft power plant.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the guide device to comprise a first guide element and a second guide element, with the guide elements extending from a brine area of ​​the intake basin towards the upstream water level of the shaft power plant and projecting above the downstream water level of the shaft power plant, and with the support element being mounted between the guide elements so that the turbine-generator unit can be moved between the operating position and the maintenance position. The advantage here is that the support element, and thus the entire turbine-generator unit, can be mounted and moved in a particularly simple manner. This simple design promotes economical manufacturing of the turbine-generator unit and simultaneously improves plant safety by reducing complexity.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the first and second guide elements are each formed by a guide rail, wherein the guide rails have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional area, the U-shaped cross-sectional areas being aligned with each other so that the support element can be stored between the guide rails. Such guide rails are easy to manufacture and can also be easily positioned and secured to the structure of the shaft power plant. It is also advantageous that the support element, and thus the entire turbine-generator unit, can be stored and moved in a particularly simple manner. This simple design promotes economical manufacturing of the turbine-generator unit and simultaneously improves plant safety by reducing complexity.

[0020] Furthermore, the clamping device may include at least a cross-sectional reduction of the respective guide elements in the area of ​​the operating position of the turbine-generator unit, whereby the turbine-generator unit is held in the operating position by means of the lifting device by positioning the support element in the area of ​​the cross-sectional reduction. This enables a particularly simple pressing and contacting of the support element's connection surface with the opposing connection surface. This simple design thus reduces the system complexity and the number of necessary auxiliary units, since the lifting device can be used to move the turbine-generator unit into the operating position.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment is one in which the clamping device comprises at least a first clamping element and a second clamping element, wherein the first clamping element is assigned to the first guide element and the second clamping element is assigned to the second guide element, wherein a force in the direction of flow can be applied to the support element by means of the clamping elements, so that the connection surface of the support element can be applied or pressed against the underwater wall section of the inlet basin or the stationary counter-connection surface when the turbine-generator unit is positioned in the operating position by means of the clamping elements.The use of clamping devices allows for precise positioning and pressing of the support element against the fixed structure of the shaft power plant, thus advantageously enabling the alignment of the turbine-generator unit with a draft tube or flow channel provided in the shaft power plant structure. Furthermore, any misalignment of the turbine-generator unit relative to the shaft power plant can be easily compensated for.

[0022] According to further training, the clamping elements can be designed as clamping wedges. These wedges exert a force on the support element in the direction of flow when positioned between a contact surface of the guide device and the support element. Using clamping wedges allows for the simplest and most effective clamping action. The clamping action is also easily releasable, and the clamping wedges can be replaced simply and economically as wear parts. Furthermore, the clamping wedges can be designed to be self-locking in the operating position in conjunction with the guide device and the support element, thereby increasing system safety.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the clamping wedges can be positioned and held securely between the respective contact surface of the guide device and the support element using the lifting device. This significantly improves system safety, as the clamping of the wedges can be easily and continuously monitored via the lifting device's monitoring system. Additionally, the lifting device also facilitates the easy release of the clamping wedges, thus simplifying the relocation of the turbine-generator unit from the operating position to the maintenance position.

[0024] Furthermore, the clamping device may comprise a first pair of wedges and a second pair of wedges, wherein the first pair of wedges includes a first wedge and a second wedge, and the second pair of wedges includes a third wedge and a fourth wedge. The first wedge and the third wedge are held on the support element, and the second wedge and the fourth wedge are held on the guide device, so that when the turbine-generator unit is positioned in the operating position, the contact surface can be pressed against the opposing contact surface by mutual support or by means of the wedge action of the wedges of the first pair of wedges and the wedges of the second pair of wedges. By using pairs of wedges with matching wedges, the contact force can be adjusted in a particularly simple manner according to the design of the mutually aligned wedge surfaces.This also allows for a particularly simple control over the release of the turbine-generator unit from its operating position. Furthermore, checking the functionality of the wedge pairs is very easy, which consequently improves the plant safety of the shaft power plant with the shaft-turbine system according to the invention.

[0025] It can also be provided that the clamping device further comprises a third pair of wedges and a fourth pair of wedges, wherein the third pair of wedges comprises a fifth wedge and a sixth wedge, and the fourth pair of wedges comprises a seventh wedge and an eighth wedge, wherein the fifth wedge and the seventh wedge are held on the support element, wherein the second wedge and the sixth wedge are held on the first guide element, and the fourth wedge and the eighth wedge are held on the second guide element, wherein the fifth wedge and the seventh wedge can be guided past the second wedge and the fourth wedge when the turbine-generator unit is moved from the maintenance position to the operating position, so that when the turbine-generator unit is positioned in the operating position, the connecting surface can be brought into contact with the opposing connecting surface by means of the wedge action of the wedges of the first pair of wedges, the wedges of the second pair of wedges, the wedges of the third pair of wedges, and the wedges of the fourth pair of wedges.The wedges can be pressed against each other. This homogenizes the contact pressure between the connecting surface and the mating surface in a simple way, or rather, the contact force is evenly distributed across the mutually contacting surfaces of the connecting and mating surfaces. This reliably and easily prevents gaps from forming between the connecting and mating surfaces. It is also advantageous to use a total of six or more wedge pairs.

[0026] In a specific design, the guide elements can have an open end in the brine area or extend to the bottom of the inlet basin, with the guide rail maintaining a gap between it and the bottom of the inlet basin. This effectively prevents sediment from accumulating in the guide elements and thus hindering or interfering with the complete movement of the turbine-generator unit into its operating position. This significantly improves the shaft-turbine system and enhances its safety.

[0027] According to an advantageous further development, the guide device can be provided with an end stop for the support element. This provides simple protection for the guide device, since without the end stop, the wedge action of the clamping elements or wedge pairs could destroy the guide device when moving the turbine-generator unit into the operating position. This, in turn, improves the safety of the shaft-turbine system and effectively counteracts potential operator error.

[0028] In particular, it can be advantageous if a sealing element is formed on the connection surface of the support element, wherein the connection surface can be sealed against the opposing connection surface by means of the sealing element, so that a flow channel through the turbine-generator unit can be sealed against the intake basin in the operating position. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the support element, or at least the sealing element, is at least partially form-complementary to the opposing connection surface. For example, a sealing ring can be provided on the support element, which can be inserted into a trapezoidal groove in the operating position of the turbine-generator unit. It can also be provided that the opposing connection surface is formed by a draft tube cone, which is fixedly connected to the shaft power plant in the underwater wall section of the intake basin.

[0029] A key advantage is that the turbine-generator unit, in its operating position, can be sealed in a particularly advantageous yet simple manner using a design element, both against the intake basin and against the draft tube or flow channel formed within the shaft power plant structure. This not only improves the efficiency of the turbine-generator unit by reducing or eliminating gap losses, but also enhances plant safety by preventing components or parts from being submerged. In particular, a seal that is at least partially form-matched between the connecting and counter-connecting surfaces can improve the precise guidance of the turbine-generator unit when moving it into its operating position, and can also provide structural support for the turbine-generator unit in this position.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be provided that the turbine generator device comprises a flow guide device with guide elements, wherein the flow guide device is arranged in the flow direction between the at least one connecting element and the ring generator, wherein the guide elements are attached on the bearing device on one side, and wherein the flow guide device is provided by means of a first adjusting device for actively controlling the flow to the turbine impeller.

[0031] This allows for simpler turbine blade and turbine impeller geometries in the hydraulic design, as the flow guide device, in conjunction with the turbine impeller, enables a hydraulically advantageous design of the hydraulic components. Consequently, the turbine-generator unit can be designed more compactly with respect to its axial extent, which in turn offers various advantages regarding loads, deflections, and the required strength of the individual turbine-generator components. This is also advantageous with respect to the support element and, in direct relation to the positioning device, because the axial extent of the turbine-generator unit can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, the turbine-generator unit can be designed to be fully integrated into the intake basin of the shaft power plant. A key advantage is that the turbine-generator unit can also be completely removed from the intake basin without requiring complex separation from other machine or structural components. This significantly simplifies the relocation of the turbine-generator unit from its operating position to its maintenance position and vice versa.

[0033] Another advantageous design incorporates at least three connecting elements, whereby the bearing assembly is fixed to the ring housing by means of these at least three connecting elements. This allows for a particularly stable positioning of the bearing assembly relative to the ring housing, thereby improving the absorption and damping of vibrations induced by the turbine impeller or other hydraulic components. Furthermore, distributing the holding forces across the at least three connecting elements allows each individual connecting element to have a smaller dimension in the flow direction than would be possible with fewer connecting elements. This enables a more compact turbine-generator unit, which in turn reduces the forces on the supporting element and brings with it, among other advantages already described.

[0034] According to further training, it is possible for the ring generator of the turbine-generator unit to be designed as a synchronous generator, with permanent magnetic poles and / or a brushless exciter machine in the ring generator rotor providing excitation. This makes the design of the turbine-generator unit more compact, which in turn reduces the forces on the support element and brings with it, among other things, the advantages already described.

[0035] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the ring generator is designed to be speed-controlled by means of an electronic control device. Due to the controllable speed of the turbine-generator unit, the turbine-generator unit can be manufactured more compactly in its design because of the simplified hydraulic design. This also results in a reduced weight, which in turn reduces the forces on the supporting element and brings with it, among other things, the advantages already described.

[0036] Furthermore, the turbine impeller can be designed with rotatably mounted turbine blades, which can be rotated by means of a second adjustment device. This improves the controllability of the turbine-generator unit over a wider operating range, which in turn can lead to a simplified hydraulic design of the turbine-generator unit and thus provides or expands upon the advantages already mentioned.

[0037] Furthermore, the positioning device can be used to position a dam panel in place of the turbine-generator unit in the operating position. This increases safety during maintenance work on the turbine-generator unit, as the dam panel can prevent the unintentional filling or, if necessary, emptying of the intake basin.

[0038] In one particular embodiment, the ring housing may have a support device in the inlet area, whereby the turbine-generator unit can be supported against the bottom of the inlet basin by means of this support device. This increases the stability of the turbine-generator unit, which can have a particularly advantageous effect on the service life of the positioning device, as it does not have to bear the entire weight of the turbine-generator unit in its operating position.

[0039] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0040] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 a shaft power plant with a possible embodiment of the shaft turbine system; Fig. 2 a first possible embodiment of the positioning device and the support element in the shaft power plant; Fig. 3 the first possible embodiment of the positioning device, the clamping device and the support element in a further view; Fig. 4 a second possible embodiment of the clamping device; Fig. 5 a third possible embodiment of the clamping device.

[0041] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0042] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a possible independent configuration of the shaft turbine system 1 in a shaft power plant 2. The shaft turbine system 1 can comprise a turbine-generator unit 3 for generating electricity by converting the energy of a flow between an upstream water level 4 and a downstream water level 5. Furthermore, the shaft turbine system 1 can comprise a positioning device 6. The turbine-generator unit 3 and the positioning device 6 can be arranged in an intake basin 7 of the shaft power plant 2, with the positioning device 6 being designed to position the turbine-generator unit 3 in the intake basin 7. The turbine-generator unit 3 can comprise an annular casing 8 with an inlet area 9 and an outlet area 10, wherein the flow between upstream water level 4 and downstream water level 5 is transferred to the turbine-generator unit 3.from the inlet basin 7 of the shaft power plant 2 to the underwater level 5 in flow direction 11 through the ring casing 8 and thus through the turbine generator unit 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the turbine-generator unit 3 can comprise a turbine impeller 13 with a rotational axis 14. The annular housing 8 can also have a teardrop-shaped or pear-shaped bearing device 15 in the inlet area 9, aligned along the rotational axis 14, wherein the bearing device 15 is fixedly connected or held to the annular housing 8 by means of at least one, or preferably four, connecting elements 16. The turbine impeller 13 can be non-rotatably coupled to a turbine shaft 17 aligned along the rotational axis 14, wherein the turbine shaft 17 can be supported by means of the bearing device 15.

[0044] Furthermore, the turbine-generator unit 3 can comprise a ring generator 12 with a ring generator stator 18 and a ring generator rotor 19. The ring generator stator 18 can be rotationally fixed to the ring housing 8 in the run-out region 10, and the ring generator rotor 19 can be rotationally fixed to the turbine impeller 13 at an outer diameter, or to individual blades of the turbine impeller 13 at an outer diameter of the turbine impeller 13 that is radially spaced from the axis of rotation 14, so that during operation of the turbine-generator unit 3, the ring generator rotor 19 rotates about the axis of rotation 14 relative to the ring generator stator 18 when the turbine impeller 13 rotates.

[0045] With regard to the turbine impeller 13, it is conceivable that it may have rotatably mounted turbine blades, wherein the turbine blades may be rotatably mounted on the ring generator rotor 19 and / or on a hub coupled to the turbine shaft 17.

[0046] Furthermore, the ring generator 12 can be configured as a synchronous generator, wherein the ring generator rotor 19 can comprise permanent magnet poles and / or a brushless exciter for excitation. Additionally, the ring generator 12 can be configured to have its speed controlled by means of an electronic control device.

[0047] Furthermore, the turbine-generator unit 3 can comprise a support element 20 with a connection surface 21. The support element 20 can be arranged downstream of the ring generator stator 18 in the flow direction 11 and be rotationally fixed to the ring generator stator 18. Thus, the turbine-generator unit 3 can be mounted on the support element 20. The turbine-generator unit 3 is movable at least between a maintenance position and an operating position, wherein, when positioned in the maintenance position, the turbine-generator unit 3 is preferably positioned above the underwater level 5, and when positioned in the operating position, the turbine-generator unit 3 is positioned such that the outflow between the upstream and downstream water levels through the turbine-generator unit 3 can be fluidically coupled to the downstream water level via a suction pipe 22 or a flow channel.When the turbine-generator unit 3 is positioned in the operating position, the support element 20 can be designed such that the connection surface 21 is attached to a counter-connection surface 23, for example, located on the structure of the shaft power plant 2, or to a wall section 24 of the inlet basin 7 facing the underwater.

[0048] Furthermore, the turbine-generator unit 3 may include a flow guide device 42 with individual guide elements or guide vanes. The flow guide device 42 may be arranged downstream of the at least one connecting element 16(s) in the flow direction 11. The guide elements may extend from the surface of the bearing device 15 to an inner surface of the annular housing 8, and may be cantilevered on the bearing device 15 or mounted on the annular housing 8. The flow guide device 42 may include an adjustment device by means of which the guide elements can be adjusted to ensure or enable active control of the flow towards the turbine impeller 13.

[0049] It may also be provided that the turbine-generator unit 3 or the ring housing 8 in the inlet area 9 includes a support device 43, wherein the turbine-generator unit 3 can be supported on the bottom 44 of the inlet basin 7 by means of the support device 43.

[0050] In the Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a potentially independent embodiment of the positioning device 6 and the support element 20 in the shaft power plant 2, whereby the same reference numerals or component designations are used for identical parts as in the preceding figure. Fig. 1 to be used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding section. Fig. 1Reference has been made to the following. The illustration shows that the positioning device 6 can comprise a lifting device 25, a guide device 26, and a clamping device 27. The lifting device 25 allows the support element 20 or the turbine-generator unit 3 to be moved along the guide device 26, at least between the maintenance position and the operating position. The clamping device 27 can be configured to ensure that the connecting surface 21 is pressed against the counter-connecting surface 23 in the direction of flow 11 when the turbine-generator unit 3 is positioned.

[0051] The guide device 26 can comprise a first guide element 28 and a second guide element 29. The guide device 26, or the guide elements 28 and 29, can extend from a brine area 30 of the inlet basin 7 towards the upper water level 4 and project at least above the lower water level 5, so that the turbine-generator unit 3 is positioned above the lower water level 5 when in the maintenance position. The support element 20 can be mounted between the guide elements 28 and 29 such that the support element 20, or the entire turbine-generator unit 3, can be moved between the operating and maintenance positions by means of the lifting device 25.

[0052] The lifting device 25 can, as shown by way of example, comprise at least one pull and push rod, or a chain drive or similar mechanism. It must be ensured that the turbine-generator unit 3 can be lifted from the operating position to the maintenance position, and also that the turbine-generator unit 3 can be moved into the operating position. The move into the operating position can be accomplished, for example, passively by the weight of the turbine-generator unit 3 itself, or actively by applying force using a pull and push rod from the maintenance position towards the operating position.

[0053] It is also conceivable that the guide elements 28, 29 are formed by guide rails or comprise guide rails, wherein the guide rails may have a mutually aligned U-shaped cross-sectional area in order to accommodate the support element 20 between the guide rails in the U-shaped cross-sectional area.

[0054] In the Fig. 3 The first possible embodiment of the positioning device 6, the clamping device 27 and the support element 20 is shown in a further view, whereby again the same reference numerals or component designations are used for identical parts as in the preceding views. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to be used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding sections. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Reference is made to or mentioned. It will be in Fig. 3It has been shown that the clamping device 27 can comprise a first pair of wedges 37 and a second pair of wedges 38. The first pair of wedges 37 can comprise a first wedge and a second wedge, and the second pair of wedges 38 can comprise a third wedge and a quarter wedge. The first wedge and the third wedge can each be coupled to, or attached to, the support element 20. The second wedge and the fourth wedge can each be attached to, or coupled to, the guide device 26, or, for example, the second wedge to the first guide element 28 and the fourth wedge to the second guide element 29.

[0055] The wedges of the respective wedge pair 37 and 38 can be positioned on the support element 20 and on the guide device 26, respectively, such that when the turbine-generator unit 3 is moved into the operating position, the wedge action of the wedges on the support element 20 introduces a force in the direction of the flow direction 11, so that the support element 20 or its connecting surface 21 is pressed against the opposing connecting surface 23 (see also...). Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ).

[0056] It may further be provided that the clamping device comprises a third pair of wedges 39 and a fourth pair of wedges 40, wherein the third pair of wedges 39 may comprise a fifth wedge and a sixth wedge, and the fourth pair of wedges 40 may comprise a seventh wedge and an eighth wedge. It may be provided that the fifth wedge and the seventh wedge are each attached to or held on the support element 20, or coupled to the support element 20, and that the sixth wedge and the eighth wedge are each attached to or held on the guide device 26, or, for example, the sixth wedge on the first guide element 28 and the eighth wedge on the second guide element 29.The wedges of the wedge pairs 37, 38, 39, and 40 can be designed such that the fifth wedge of the third wedge pair 39 and the seventh wedge of the fourth wedge pair 40 can be guided past the second wedge of the first wedge pair 37 and the fourth wedge of the second wedge pair 38 when the turbine-generator unit 3 is moved from the maintenance position to the operating position. When the turbine-generator unit 3 is moved into the operating position, the connecting surface 21 can then be brought into contact with, or pressed against, the mating connecting surface 23 by means of the wedge action of the wedges of the wedge pairs 37, 38, 39, and 40 (see [reference]). Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ).

[0057] Furthermore, it can be provided that the guide device 26 includes an end stop 41, or that the guide elements 28, 29 each include an end stop 41. As shown by way of example, the end stop 41, or each individual end stop 41, can be positioned or arranged in the sole area 30.

[0058] In the Fig. 4 A second possible embodiment of the clamping device 27, which may be independent in itself, is shown, whereby the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the preceding illustrations. Figs. 1 to 3 to be used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding sections. Figs. 1 to 3 pointed out or referenced. As in Fig. 4As shown, the clamping device can be provided for at least partially by at least one cross-sectional reduction 36 of the respective guide elements 28, 29 in the area of ​​the operating position. As shown, it can also be provided for several cross-sectional reductions 36 so that the connecting surface 21 of the support element 20 is pressed against the opposing connecting surface 23 when the turbine-generator unit 3 is moved into the operating position, for example by active movement using the lifting device 25.

[0059] In the Fig. 5 A third possible embodiment of the clamping device 27, which may be independent in itself, is shown, whereby the same reference numerals or component designations are used for the same parts as in the preceding illustrations. Figs. 1 to 4 to be used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding sections. Figs. 1 to 4 pointed out or referenced. As in Fig. 5As shown, the clamping device 27 can also include at least a cross-sectional reduction 36 of the respective guide elements 28, 29 in the brine area. Thus, the connection surface 21 of the support element 20 in the brine area 30 can be pressed against the opposing connection surface 23 by means of the wedge effect of the cross-sectional reduction 36. Furthermore, the clamping device 27 can include clamping elements 31, 31 as already described, whereby it is conceivable that the connection surface 21 of the support element 20 is only fully pressed against the opposing connection surface 23 by means of clamping elements 31, 31 after the turbine-generator unit 3 has been moved into the operating position. The clamping elements 31, 31 can be designed as clamping wedges 33, 34 and can be brought into mutual clamping action with the support element 20 by means of the lifting device 25 or by means of an additional device of the lifting device 25.

[0060] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0061] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0062] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0063] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference numeral list

[0064] 1 Shaft turbine plant 30 brine area 2 Shaft power plant 31 first clamping device 3 Turbine generator unit 32 second clamping device 4 Upstream water level 33 first wedge 5 Underwater level 34 clamping wedge 6 Positioning device 35 Site area 7 Inlet basin 36 Cross-sectional tapering 8 Ring case 37 first pair of wedges 9 Entrance area 38 second pair of wedges 10 Run-out area 39 third pair of wedges 11 Flow direction 40 fourth pair of wedges 12 Ring generator 41 End stop 13 Turbine wheel 42 Flow guide device 14 axis of rotation 43 Support device 15 Storage device 44 Floor 16 Connecting element 17 Turbine shaft 18 Ring generator stator 19 Ring generator rotor 20 Supporting element 21 Connection surface 22 Intake manifold 23 Counter-connection surface 24 Wall section 25 Lifting device 26 Guide device 27 Clamping device 28 first guide element 29 second guide element

Claims

1. A pit turbine plant (1) comprising a turbine-generator unit (3) for generating electricity by energy conversion of an outflow of a headwater with a headwater level (4) into a tailwater with a tailwater level (5) in a pit-type hydropower plant (2) with an intake basin (7), and a positioning device (6) for positioning the turbine-generator unit (3) in an intake basin (7) of the pit-type hydropower plant (2), the turbine-generator unit (3) comprising a rim-shaped housing (8) with an inlet region (9) and an outlet region (10), a rim-type generator (12), and a turbine impeller (13) with an axis of rotation (14), - wherein the rim-shaped housing (8) in the inlet region (9) comprises a pear-shaped bearing device (15) aligned along the axis of rotation (14), -- wherein the bearing device (15) is held in a fixed position on the rim-shaped housing (8) by means of at least one connecting element (16), -- wherein a turbine shaft (17) aligned along the axis of rotation (14) is mounted by means of the bearing device (15), wherein the turbine impeller (13) is coupled to the turbine shaft (17) in the outlet region (10) in a rotationally fixed manner, - wherein the rim-type generator (12) comprises a rim generator stator (18), wherein the rim generator stator (18) is coupled to the rim-shaped housing (8) in the outlet region (10) in a rotationally fixed manner, - wherein the rim-type generator (12) comprises a rim generator rotor (19), wherein the rim generator rotor (19) is coupled to the turbine impeller (13) at an outer diameter of the turbine impeller (13) in a rotationally fixed manner, and - wherein the positioning device (6) comprises a lifting device (25) and a guide device (26), wherein the turbine-generator unit (3) is displaceable along the guide device (26) at least between an operating position and a maintenance position by means of the lifting device (25), wherein - the turbine-generator unit (3) further comprises a support element (20), wherein the support element (20) is arranged downstream of the rim-type generator (12) in a flow direction (11) and is coupled to the rim generator stator (18), characterized in that - the positioning device (6) further comprises a clamping device (27), -- wherein a connecting surface (21) of the support element (20) is placeable or pressable against a wall section (24) of the intake basin (7) facing the tailwater or a stationary mating connecting surface (23) by means of the clamping device (27) when the turbine-generator unit (3) is positioned in the operating position.

2. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device (26) comprises a first guide element (28) and a second guide element (29), wherein the guide elements (28, 29) extend from a brine region (30) of the intake basin (7) in the direction of the headwater level (4) of the pit-type hydropower plant (2) and project above the tailwater level (5) of the pit-type hydropower plant (2), and wherein the support element (20) is mounted between the guide elements (28, 29) so that the turbine-generator unit (3) is displaceable between the operating position and the maintenance position.

3. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first guide element (28) and the second guide element (29) are each formed by a guide rail, wherein the guide rails have an essentially U-shaped cross-sectional region, wherein the U-shaped cross-sectional regions are aligned with one another, so that the support element (20) is mountable between the guide rails.

4. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping device (27) comprises at least one cross-sectional taper (36) of the respective guide elements (28, 29) in the region of the operating position of the turbine-generator unit (3), wherein the turbine-generator unit (3) is holdable in the operating position by means of the lifting device (25) by positioning the support element (20) in the region of the cross-sectional taper (36).

5. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the clamping device (27) comprises at least one first clamping member (31) and one second clamping member (32), wherein the first clamping member (31) is assigned to the first guide element (28) and the second clamping member (32) is assigned to the second guide element (29), wherein by means of the clamping members (31, 32) a force can be applied to the support element (20) in the direction of the flow direction (11), so that the connecting surface (21) of the support element (20) is placeable or pressable against the tailwater-side wall section of the intake basin (7) or the stationary mating connecting surface (23) by means of the clamping members (31, 32) when the turbine-generator unit (3) is positioned in the operating position.

6. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first clamping member (31) is configured as a first clamping wedge (33) and the second clamping member (32) is configured as a second clamping wedge (34), wherein the clamping wedges (33, 34) exert a force on the support element (20) in the flow direction (11) when the clamping wedges (33, 34) are positioned between a respective contact surface (35) of the guide device (26) and the support element (20).

7. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping wedges (33, 34) are positionable and holdable between the respective contact surface (35) of the guide device (26) and the support element (20) by means of the lifting device (25).

8. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (27) comprises a first pair of wedges (37) and a second pair of wedges (38), wherein the first pair of wedges (37) comprises a first wedge and a second wedge and the second pair of wedges (38) comprises a third wedge and a fourth wedge, wherein the first wedge and the third wedge are held on the support element (20) and the second wedge and the fourth wedge are held on the guide device (26), so that the connecting surface (21) is placeable or pressable against the mating connecting surface (23) by means of the wedging action of the wedges of the first pair of wedges (37) and the wedges of the second pair of wedges (38) when the turbine-generator unit (3) is positioned in the operating position.

9. The pit turbine plant (1) according to claim 8 and claim 2, characterized in that the clamping device (27) further comprises a third pair of wedges (39) and a fourth pair of wedges (40), wherein the third pair of wedges (39) comprises a fifth wedge and a sixth wedge and the fourth pair of wedges (40) comprises a seventh wedge and an eighth wedge, wherein the fifth wedge and the seventh wedge are held on the support element (20), wherein the second wedge and the sixth wedge are held on the first guide element (28) and the fourth wedge and the eighth wedge are held on the second guide element (29), wherein the fifth wedge and the seventh wedge are guidable past the second wedge and the fourth wedge when the turbine-generator unit (3) is displaced from the maintenance position into the operating position, so that the connecting surface (21) is placeable or pressable against the mating connecting surface (23) by means of the wedging action of the wedges of the first pair of wedges (37), the wedges of the second pair of wedges (38), the wedges of the third pair of wedges (39) and the wedges of the fourth pair of wedges (40) when the turbine-generator unit (3) is positioned in the operating position.

10. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the guide elements (28, 29) each have an unclosed end in the brine region (30) or are formed up to a bottom (44) of the intake basin (7).

11. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (26) comprises an end stop (41) for the support element (20).

12. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing element is formed on the connecting surface (21) of the support element (20), wherein the connecting surface (21) is sealable with respect to the mating connecting surface (23) by means of the sealing element.

13. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine-generator unit (3) comprises a flow guide device (42) with guiding elements, wherein the flow guide device (42) is arranged in the flow direction (11) between the at least one connecting element (16) and the rim-type generator (12), wherein the guiding elements on the bearing device (15), wherein the flow guide device (42) is provided for actively controlling the flow towards the turbine impeller (13) by means of a first adjusting device.

14. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine-generator unit (3) is receivable in its entirety in the intake basin (7) of the pit-type hydropower plant (2).

15. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three connecting elements (16) are formed, wherein the bearing device (15) is held in a fixed position on the rim-shaped housing (8) by means of the at least three connecting elements (16).

16. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rim-type generator (12) of the turbine-generator unit is configured as a synchronous generator, wherein permanent-magnet poles and / or a brushless excitation machine is / are provided as excitation in the rim generator rotor (19).

17. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rim-type generator (12) is configured to be speed-controllable by means of an electronic control device.

18. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine impeller (13) has rotatably mounted turbine blades, wherein the turbine blades are rotatable in the bearing device (15) by means of a second adjusting device.

19. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stop log can be positioned in the operating position in place of the turbine-generator unit (3) by means of the positioning device (6).

20. The pit turbine plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rim-shaped housing (8) comprises a supporting device (43) in the inlet region (9), wherein the turbine-generator unit (3) can be supported on the bottom (44) of the intake basin (7) by means of the supporting device (43).

Images