US 5,451,137 A · Unidirectional helical reaction turbine operable under reversible fluid flow for power systems

Abstract

A reaction turbine capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a reversible ultra low head pressure and/or high velocity fluid flow is disclosed. The turbine comprises a working wheel with a plurality of airfoil-shaped blades mounted transversely to the direction of fluid flow for rotation in a plane parallel to the fluid flow. The blades are arranged in a helical configuration, a modification of a delta turbine, which ensures that a portion of the blades are always positioned perpendicular to the fluid pressure, thereby creating maximum thrust to spin the turbine and ensuring a continuous speed of rotation with no accelerations and decelerations. The skewed leading edges further reduce resistance to the turbine rotation. A channel having a rectangular cross-section may be provided to direct the fluid flow to the blades. The channel may have a curved configuration having opposed changes in elevation or bulges directed towards the center of the turbine in a plane parallel to the flow of fluid to optimize the angle of attack of the fluid on the blades. At ultra low head fluid pressures, the turbine is capable of achieving high speeds, which, for gas turbines, are the speeds at which electric generators conventionally operate. For hydro applications, the helical turbine requires minimal gearing multiplication. The turbine is suitable for use in hydro-pneumatic, hydro, wind, or wave power systems.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A reaction turbine capable of unidirectional rotation under reversible fluid flow comprising:

a fluid flow path defined by an inflow fluid channel and an outflow fluid channel, and a turbine chamber disposed between said inflow and outflow channels;
a rotatable shaft transversely mounted in said turbine chamber;
at least one turbine blade support member fixedly mounted to said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith in a plane perpendicular to said shaft;
a plurality of turbine blades disposed transversely in said turbine chamber in a helical configuration about said rotatable shaft, each blade having an airfoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an airfoil profile lying in a plane parallel to said flow path, each of said blades fixedly mounted to said blade support member to be radially spaced from said rotatable shaft for rotation in a plane parallel to said flow path in the direction of said leading edge.

1 more element

A system for harnessing the energy of current flow of a water body, comprising:

a vessel disposed at the surface of the water body;
a unidirectional reaction turbine capable of rotation under reversible fluid flow and mounted to said vessel to be submerged below the surface of the water body, said unidirectional reaction turbine comprising:
a rotatable shaft mounted to said vessel to extend perpendicularly to a direction of current flow;
at least one turbine blade support member fixedly mounted to said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith in a plane perpendicular to said shaft;
a plurality of turbine blades mounted to said turbine blade support member for rotation about said rotatable shaft, each blade having an airfoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an airfoil profile lying in a plane parallel to the current flow, each of said blades fixedly mounted to said blade support member to be radially spaced from said rotatable shaft for rotation in a plane parallel to said flow path in the direction of said leading edge;
a housing mounted to said vessel, the unidirectional reaction turbine disposed within said housing, said housing having opposed openings therein to allow the current flow to pass through said housing and past said reaction turbine, said housing further comprising top and bottom walls, said top and bottom walls having a curved configuration providing opposite elevations in a plane parallel to said direction of current flow, said elevations being offset in a direction of rotation of said leading edge to rotatably channel fluid flowing through said housing and to direct fluid flow to said plurality of blades with a radial component of flow relative to said blades;
and
a generator operatively connected to said rotatable shaft.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Unidirectional helical reaction turbine operable under reversible fluid flow for power systems

Life of this patent

Unidirectional helical reaction turbine operable under reversible fluid flow for power systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28