Aeration cone for hydraulic turbine

A hydraulic turbine runner, comprising:

• a crown;
• a plurality of runner blades coupled to the crown;
• and
• an aeration apparatus disposed within the crown, the aeration apparatus configured for aerating water discharged from a hydraulic turbine, the aeration apparatus comprising:
• a central manifold disposed within the crown;
• a plurality of radial pipes extending radially from an outer perimeter of the central manifold and configured to be in fluid communication with the central manifold;
• and
• one or more air injectors having a first end disposed within an aeration pipe, each of the air injectors having a second end extending into a nozzle at a first end of one of the plurality of radial pipes,
• wherein the plurality of radial pipes are configured to pump water from the central manifold past the one or more air injectors when the runner rotates,
• wherein the one or more air injectors are configured to cause air to become entrained in the water, and
• wherein the plurality of radial pipes are configured to discharge the water and entrained air from the aeration apparatus.

A hydraulic turbine, comprising:

• a turbine shaft;
• and
• a turbine runner coupled to the turbine shaft, the turbine runner comprising;
• a crown;
• a plurality of runner blades coupled to the crown;
• and
• an aeration apparatus disposed within the crown, the aeration apparatus configured for aerating water discharged from a hydraulic turbine, the aeration apparatus comprising:
• a central manifold disposed within the crown;
• a plurality of radial pipes extending radially from an outer perimeter of the central manifold and configured to be in fluid communication with the central manifold;
• and
• one or more air injectors having a first end disposed within an aeration pipe, each of the air injectors having a second end extending into a nozzle at a first end of one of the plurality of radial pipes,
• wherein the plurality of radial pipes are configured to pump water from the central manifold past the one or more air injectors when the runner rotates,
• wherein the one or more air injectors are configured to cause air to become entrained in the water, and
• wherein the plurality of radial pipes are configured to discharge the water and entrained air from the aeration apparatus.