Method and device to measure, test and monitor turbine performance and conditions

Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbine is operated in a no-speed condition while being subjected to known input values for flow, head, hydraulic energy and fluid properties during measurement of the performance parameters.

Method for determining the best efficiency flow for operating a turbine, such as a wind, liquid or fluid driven turbine, comprising a rotating turbine runner, at a certain turbine speed for a mode where it produces net output power, characterized by

• measuring the no-load flow of the turbine in a no-load operating mode for a certain turbine speed,
• determine the best efficiency flow for that turbine speed by multiplying the measured no-load flow by (1+r1/r2), wherein r1 is the outer radius of the turbine runner and r2 is the inner radius of the turbine runner.

Method for detecting a two phase fluid in an operating turbine, characterized by

• measuring the no-load mass flow of the turbine in an operating mode where the turbine produces no net output power for different no load turbine speeds,
• determine a no net output power characteristic of the turbine,
• determine at what no-load mass flow and what no load turbine speed the slope of the characteristic increases so as to determine the starting of two phase formation.

Device for measuring a shaft torque for determining a no-speed characteristic of a turbine, characterized in that it comprises a gear wheel which is attached to the turbine shaft, and a toothed member which is attached to a force measuring sensor, wherein said gear wheel and the toothed member mutually engage and allow for a slight axial movement of the turbine shaft.

Device for measuring a shaft torque for determining a no-speed characteristic of a turbine, characterized in that it comprises a flat plat with an outer portion and a centre portion which are connected by spoke-like elements which define relatively large openings between them, which plate is attachable at its outer portion to a turbine casing an at its centre portion to the turbine shaft, and wherein strain gauges are provided on the spoke-like elements for measuring a tangential deflection of the spoke-like elements due to a torque applied by the turbin shaft.