US 4,533,835 A · Control apparatus for hydraulically driven generator

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling a hydraulically driven generator for supplying electrical power to power mains. The generator is coupled to a turbine driven by a fluid flow through a duct. The duct has a one-fourth turn butterfly valve controlled by a fluid-actuated operator and the operator receives fluid from the duct by way of a normally closed valve which, when energized, creates water pressure on the operator for opening the butterfly valve. A second, normally open solenoid provides an emergency exit for the water from the operator to relieve the water pressure thereon and thereby close the butterfly valve when certain conditions exist, such as sudden loss of line voltage, overvoltage or deviation in frequency of the line voltage. A differential pressure switch across the turbine rotor also controls the starting of the system to assure proper flow of fluid through the duct before commencing operation of the generator itself.

Claims15

Dependent claims

Control apparatus for an electrical generator for supplying electrical power to a power system and driven by a turbine rotor in a fluid delivery duct provided with a shiftable throttle valve therein comprising:

a fluid actuated operator having means for coupling the operator with the throttle valve to open and close the same as a function of water pressure applied to or removed from the operator;
a first fluid line for coupling the duct to the operator to supply fluid thereto from the duct for actuating the operator to cause opening of the throttle valve;
first electrically actuated valve means for opening the first fluid line to permit fluid to flow therethrough to the operator to open the valve;
a second fluid line coupled with the operator for draining the fluid therefrom when the same has been actuated;
second electrically actuated valve means for opening the second fluid line to drain the fluid from the operator, whereby the throttle valve will then be caused to close;
and
means coupled with the first valve means and the second valve means for actuating and deactuating the same as a function of the voltage of the power system to which the generator is supplying power.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control apparatus for hydraulically driven generator

Life of this patent

Control apparatus for hydraulically driven generator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15