Cover for turbines and pumps

In a hydraulic machine of the type of a tubular (Kaplan) or propeller turbine or similarly shaped pump, the improvement comprising a cover for a fluid impeller therein,

• said hydraulic machine comprising a rotatable shaft;
• a rotatable runner on the shaft which applies an axial force on the shaft in response to rotation of said runner;
• bearings on the shaft for supporting the shaft for rotation about an axis;
• and an outer covering around the shaft and the runner;
• the cover being radially spaced from said shaft and annularly surrounding the shaft;
• and the bearings supporting the shaft being attached to the cover, whereby the cover supports the shaft;
• the outer covering being disposed radially outwardly of the cover, the cover resting on the outer covering and being supported thereupon;
• the cover comprising three flat rings which extend transversely of the shaft and are axially spaced apart, with a centeral most middle ring being the ring of largest diameter and extending to and resting on the outer covering;
• each of the outer rings being connected to a respective one of the supporting bearings for the shaft;
• the first outer ring being closer to the runner than the second outer ring;
• a first conical shell conically extending from a relatively smaller radius location on the first outer ring to the middle ring and presenting a surface which faces downwardly toward said runner and outwardly away from said shaft;
• a second conical shell extending from the second outer ring and flaring conically wider to the middle ring.