Monobloc Reduced-Scale Turbine Runner for Mechanical Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reduced-scale models for hydraulic turbines are not designed to assess mechanical behavior under new operating conditions and transient operations, lack mechanical continuity, and require time-consuming assembly processes, making them unsuitable for measuring mechanical data and hydraulic tests.
Innovation Solution
A new reduced-scale model with mechanical continuity between parts, assembled without bolts or screws, and a manufacturing process that includes investment casting, strong assembly, additive printing, or monobloc machining to ensure mechanical and hydraulic performance assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reduced-scale models are assembled using bolts or screws to study hydraulic similitude, then the model can be constructed from separate parts, but the assembly process becomes time consuming and the mechanical structure is not representative of the real-size turbine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (blades, crown, band) into a single integrated reduced-scale model that replicates the continuous mechanical structure of the full-scale turbine. This integration eliminates the need for bolted assemblies while maintaining hydraulic similitude, thereby reducing assembly time and improving structural representativeness.
2Ease of manufacture
If bolts or screws are used to assemble reduced-scale model parts, then the model can be constructed, but the presence of bolts makes the model not adapted for measuring mechanical data such as strains and displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bolts and screws from the reduced-scale model assembly, replacing them with a continuous integrated structure. This extraction eliminates the measurement interference caused by fastening elements while preserving the essential hydraulic and mechanical characteristics of the full-scale turbine.
3Ease of manufacture
If reduced-scale models use bolts to assemble different parts, then the model can be constructed, but the assembly zones do not form a continuous medium even when bolts are tightened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate model components into a unified continuous structure that accurately represents the mechanical continuity of the full-scale turbine. This merging eliminates discontinuities at assembly zones while maintaining ease of construction through the integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention concerns a reduced-scale model of a turbine comprising a crown (1), a band (2) and blades (3) between said band and said crown, wherein the model is a single bloc assembly of said band, said crown and said blades.