Self-regulating Water Turbine Runner with Upstream Sub-runner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water turbines lack self-regulation of main runner blades responsive to operating conditions without the need for external energy, limiting their ability to optimize performance automatically.
Innovation Solution
A self-regulating water turbine design featuring a sub-runner positioned upstream of the main runner, which uses the energy from water flow to adjust the angle of the main runner blades through a control mechanism, allowing for automatic optimization of turbine performance without external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external controlling devices are used to adjust main runner blade angles, then turbine operating range is extended from 70%-100% to 20%-100% of full load, but the system requires external energy sources and mechanical or hydraulic coupling for control
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-runner is designed to automatically adjust main runner blade angles using only the kinetic energy from incoming water flow. The sub-runner blades convert water flow energy into rotational motion that drives the control mechanism, eliminating the need for external energy sources while maintaining adaptability across different load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or hydraulic control systems with a hydrodynamic control mechanism. The sub-runner uses water flow pressure and kinetic energy directly to actuate the blade angle adjustment mechanism, substituting complex mechanical linkages and external power requirements with a streamlined fluid-driven system
2Ease of operation
If mechanical or hydraulic coupling is used for blade and gate position control, then regulation is achieved, but the system complexity increases and external power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-runner control mechanism merges the water flow energy conversion function with the blade angle control function into a single integrated system. The sub-runner both extracts energy from water flow and simultaneously actuates the control mechanism, combining two functions that would traditionally require separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-runner acts as an intermediary between the water flow and the main runner control system. It converts water flow characteristics into mechanical motion that directly adjusts blade angles, serving as a hydrodynamic mediator that simplifies the control architecture by eliminating external control systems
3Reliability
If the sub-runner is positioned upstream of the main runner, then it can respond to relative flow of the vortex from wicket gates, but the space available for installation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-runner is designed with localized blade geometry optimized for the specific flow conditions in the upstream region. The blades are shaped to efficiently capture the vortex flow pattern created by wicket gates at that specific location, maximizing energy extraction and control effectiveness within the constrained space
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-runner blades are designed to dynamically respond to changing flow conditions by rotating to adjust their angle of attack. This dynamic adjustment allows the compact sub-runner to maintain optimal performance across varying water flow rates and wicket gate positions despite its limited size
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sub-runner system enhances turbine efficiency by automatically adjusting main runner blades in response to changing water flow conditions, increasing the operational range and optimizing performance without requiring external energy for regulation.
Implementation Method 1
Water turbines produce electricity when the potential and kinetic energy of moving water is converted into mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
Wicket gates are able to open and close in order to control the amount of water that enters the turbine
Implementation Method 3
When the water runs over the main runner blades, the kinetic energy of the water will be converted into mechanical energy as the main runner blades rotate in response to the running water
Implementation Method 4
This main runner shaft is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy from the shaft into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a turbine sub-runner that is positioned to be within the vortex zone of a turbine wicket gates (zone “S-R”, FIG. 1). The sub-runner includes at least two sub-runner blades, configured to monitor the relative flow of the vortex created by the wicket gates. A control mechanism is connected to the sub-runner shaft via gear and threaded interface, and is capable of transferring the relative (vs main-runner) rotational energy of the sub-runner into angular movement of the main runner blades. As the sub-runner interacts with the changing conditions of the main vortex within the zone “S-R”, it will act to automatically regulate, adjust, and control the angle of the main runner blades to optimize the performance of the turbine. The sub-runner uses the energy of the vortex existing in the zone “S-R” to perform the monitoring, regulation, adjustment and control of the main runner through regulating angular position of main runner blades.