• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A Kaplan runner (1), comprising a hub (2) with an inner portion (6) and a radially spaced outer portion (7); trunnions (10) inside the hub (2); trunnion bearings for allowing the trunnions (10) to rotate; blades (8) outside the hub (2), attached to the trunnions (10), for rotating the hub (2); and a trunnion control mechanism (22, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) for regulating the rotational position of the trunnions (10) for regulating the blades (8), wherein a stiffener (15) connect the inner (6) and outer (7) portion of the hub (2).(Fig. 4)
    公开号:SE1650479A1
    申请号:SE1650479
    申请日:2016-04-08
    公开日:2016-10-11
    发明作者:Nilsson Patrik；Larsson Emil
    申请人:Rainpower Tech As；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    KAPLAN RUNNER WITH STIFFENERThe invention relates to a Kaplan runner, comprising a hub with an inner and outerportion, trunnions inside the hub, blades attached to or integral with the trunnions,and a trunnion control mechanism for regulating the trunnions and thereby the blades.
    Kaplan runners form part of Kaplan turbines which mainly are used as drivers forelectric generators in hydroelectric power plants.
    US 6139272 describes a Kaplan runner, comprising: a hub with a longitudinal hubaxis, the hub has an inner portion and a radially spaced outer portion, the inner andouter portions are structurally interconnected in an upper area of the hub; trunnionsinside the hub, spaced in the circumferential direction of the hub, each trunnion has alongitudinal trunnion aXis extending radially to the hub aXis; trunnion bearings,comprising trunnion radia| bearings for allowing the trunnions to rotate around thetrunnion aXes, and trunnion axial bearings for preventing the trunnions from movingaway from the hub axis; blades outside the hub, each blade is attached to a trunnion,for rotating the trunnions and thereby the hub around the hub axis; a trunnion controlmechanism for regulating the rotational position of the trunnions around the trunnionaxes, for regulating the blades.
    Kaplan runners have historically had a large hub diameter compared to the runnerdiameter. This is due to the fact that the trunnion control mechanism is spaceconsuming if it is to have a long life.
    To achieve high efficiency at high flows at a given runner diameter, Kaplan runner hubdiameters have in general been continually reduced throughout the history of theirdevelopment. The reduction in Kaplan runner hub diameters has resulted in weakerhubs. Also, major changes in the trunnion bearings have been made. These twofactors combined result in large deformations of both hub and trunnions, resulting inhigher contact pressures in the bearings and large deformations of sealings andrunner blades. This can cause failed bearings, leaking seals and runner blades hittingthe runner chamber.
    The purpose of the invention is to overcome or reduce the above discussed problem.
    The purpose is achieved by the features of the description, drawings and claims.
    The invention thus relates to a Kaplan runner, comprising:a hub with a longitudinal hub aXis, for coupling to a runner shaft, the hub has aninner portion and a radially spaced outer portion, the inner and outer portions arestructurally interconnected in an upper area of the hub;trunnions inside the hub, spaced in the circumferential direction of the hub, eachtrunnion has a longitudinal trunnion aXis eXtending radially to the hub aXis;trunnion bearings, comprising trunnion radial bearings for allowing the trunnionsto rotate around the trunnion aXes, and trunnion aXial bearings for preventing thetrunnions from moving away from the hub aXis;blades outside the hub, each blade is attached to or integral with a trunnion, forrotating the trunnions and thereby the hub around the hub axis by the action offlowing water;a trunnion control mechanism for regulating the rotational position of thetrunnions around the trunnion aXes, for regulating the blades.
    According to the invention a stiffener connects the inner and outer portion of the hub.The stiffener preferably spans the space between the inner and outer portion of thehub, and it is also preferred that the stiffener is located below the trunnion axis. It isfurther preffered that the stiffener is connected to the inner portion of the hub close tothe trunnion inner radial bearings, and to the outer portion of the hub close to thetrunnion aXial bearings.
    In a particularly preferred embodiment the trunnion bearings also comprise, for eachtrunnion, a trunnion inner aXial bearing located at the inner portion of the hub, forpreventing the trunnion from moving towards the hub axis. The trunnion inner aXialbearing is preferably located between the inner portion of the hub and the trunnion.
    A further explanation of the invention and its advantages will be provided in thedetailed part of the description.
    The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:Fig. 1 is a cutaway side view of a hydroelectric power plant using a Kaplan turbinewith a Kaplan runner;Fig. 2 is a cutaway side view through a Kaplan runner hub according to prior art;Fig. 3 is cutaway side view through the Kaplan runner hub of fig. 2, seen in directionIII;Fig. 4 is a cutaway side view through a Kaplan runner hub according to the invention;Fig. 5 is a cutaway view from above of a Kaplan runner hub according to theinvention; andFig. 6 illustrates a cross section through a stiffener of fig. 5.
    Directional terms, e.g. "upper", "lower", "below", "above", refers to the position of theKaplan runner in fig. 1.
    Fig. 1 is a cutaway side view of a hydroelectric power plant using a Kaplan turbinewith a Kaplan runner 1. A concrete foundation 43 supports an electric generator withits stator 49 and rotor 50. A generator shaft 51 eXtends down from the rotor 50 to aradial bearing 48 and thrust bearing 53, which in turn are supported by a bearingsupport 54, supported by the concrete foundation 43. The generator shaft 51 is via acoupling 52 connected to a runner shaft 3, which via a coupling 4 is connected to andcarries the runner 1. The runner shaft 3 is radially supported by a radial bearing 57,which in turn is supported by a floor structure 58 supported by the concretefoundation 43.
    The runner 1 is located in a runner chamber 41, and comprises a hub 2 with blades 8.Water supplied from a not illustrated source enters an inlet chamber 42 and flowsdown the runner chamber 41 as a water flow 9. A control apparatus 55 with actuators56 regulates the water flow 9. The water flow acts on the blades and causes theblades 8 and thereby the hub 2, the runner 1, the runner shaft 3, the generator shaft51 and the generator rotor 50 to rotate around a common axis 5, from now named thehub axis 5.
    Fig. 2 is a cutaway side view through a Kaplan runner 1 with a hub 2 according toprior art, which can be coupled to a runner shaft by bolt holes 69. The hub is relativelyweak with a relatively small diameter, as discussed in the general part of theinvention. The hub has an inner portion 6 and a radially spaced outer portion 7, andthe inner and outer portions are structurally interconnected by an arc 59 in an upperarea of the hub. Trunnions 10, one for each blade 8, are arranged inside the hub 2. Alever 22, the function of which will be described later, is tightly fiXed around thetrunnion. Each trunnion has a longitudinal trunnion aXis 11 eXtending radially oressentially radially to the hub axis 5. Each trunnion 10 is rotatable about its axis 11 bymeans of an inner radial bearing 20 between the inner portion 6 of the hub and aninner portion 12 of the trunnion, and an outer radial bearing 21 between the outerportion 7 of the hub and an outer portion 13 of the trunnion. An aXial bearing 19between the outer portion 7 of the hub and the lever prevents the trunnion frommoving away from the hub aXis 5.
    Each blade 8 is attached to a trunnion 10 by means of trunnion bolts 68 extendingfrom the blade 8, through the outer portion 13 of the trunnion and into the lever 22.The outer portion 13 of the trunnion is thereby clamped between the blade 8 and thelever 22, and the blade, the outer portion of the trunnion and the lever thereby formsa stiff unit. The blades are thereby rotatable together with the trunnions, around thetrunnion axis 11. Other ways of fastening the blades 8 to the trunnions 10 arepossible, and the trunnions and the blades may also be integral. As illustrated in fig. 1,the blades 8 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the outside of thehub 2. The trunnions are correspondingly spaced in the circumferential direction of thehub.
    The hub also comprises a trunnion control mechanism for regulating the rotationalposition of the trunnions 10 around the trunnion aXes 11, for regulating the rotationalposition of the blades 8. This mechanism consists of a central piston 66 fixed to orintegral with the inner portion 6 of the hub, and a cylinder 63 movable in the verticaldirection. Pressurizing a lower cylinder chamber 65 causes the cylinder 63 to movedown, while pressurizing an upper cylinder chamber 64 causes the cylinder 63 tomove up. Crossheads 62 formed by extensions of the cylinder 63 is via pivots 67rotatably connected to upwardly extending links 61.
    Fig. 3 is a cutaway side view through the Kaplan runner hub of fig. 2, seen in directionIII. Fig. 3 particularly illustrates the control mechanism. Continuing from thedescription of fig. 2, each link 61 is via a pivot 71 connected to the lever 22. The link61 and the lever 22 form a crank. A downwardly movement of the cylinder 63 causesthe trunnion 10 to rotate clockwise, while an upwardly movement of the cylinder 63causes the trunnion 10 to rotate counter-clockwise. Fig. 3 also illustrates bolt holes 70for the bolts 68 in the outer portion 13 of the trunnion. Also illustrated is a lower shell72 for protecting the internals of the hub 2 against the surrounding water.
    For a further explanation of the prior art and problems related to prior art, reference isagain made to fig. 2. During operation the water flow 9 acts on the blade 8. The shapeof the blade causes water pressure Pw due to the water flow 9 to rotate the trunnionsand thereby the hub 2 around the hub axis 5. The water pressure Pw also creates abending moment Mb around an aXis orthogonal to the paper plane. The rotationalvelocity of the runner creates a centrifugal force Fc, forcing the trunnion 10, lever 22and blade 8 outwards against the axial bearing 19, which in turn forces the outerportion 7 of the hub outwards. The combination of the bending moment Mb and thecentrifugal force Fc result in high bearing contact pressure Pax in the upper part of theaxial bearing 19 and low bearing contact pressure in the lower part of the axialbearing. In some runners, the lower part of the axial bearing 19 may lose contact withits counter surface.
    Fig. 4 is a cutaway side view through a Kaplan runner hub according to the invention.Items identical in fig. 2 and 4 will not be described. According to the invention astiffener 15 connects the inner 6 and outer portion 7 of the hub 2. This stiffenerincreases the stiffness of the hub 2, and reduces radial and tangential deformation ofthe outer portion 7 of the hub. The stiffener also greatly reduces the radial expansionof the runner 1 during runaway, making it possible to use a smaller radial playbetween the runner blades 8 and the runner chamber 41, which increase the efficiencyof the Kaplan turbine. The increased stiffness of the hub in turn reduces the highcontact pressure of the bearings, and evens the contact pressure. It is seen that thestiffener spans the space between the inner 6 and outer 7 portion of the hub 2.Further the stiffener 15 is located below the trunnion axis 11. Fig. 4 further illustratesthat the stiffener 15 is connected to the inner portion 6 of the hub 2 close to thetrunnion inner radial bearing 20, and also that the stiffener 15 is connected to theouter portion 7 of the hub 2 close to the trunnion axial bearing 19. The stiffener 15extends obliquely to the trunnion axis 11, downwardly from the inner portion 6 to theouter portion 7 of the hub 2.
    The stiffener may be a welded construction, made from plates or beams of carbonsteel or stainless steel, or the stiffener may be a casting, made from cast iron or caststeel. It is also within the invention to forge the stiffener.
    The stiffener 15 may be a single piece extending all the way around the hub 2, or anumber of segments or separate items extending circumferentially of the hub 2, eachsegment extends a part of the way around the hub. As an example, the stiffener 15may consist of plate segments, each plate segment may be located between andbelow two adjacent trunnions 10. The stiffener may also consist of separate bars orbeams spaced circumferentially of the hub 2, typically between and below twoadjacent trunnions 10. The favourable effects of the invention are not dependent uponany particular design of the stiffener.
    Fig. 5 is a cutaway view from above of a Kaplan runner hub according to theinvention. The stiffener 15 is here made from plate, and extends all the way aroundthe hub 2. This stiffener also extends obliquely to the trunnion axis 11, downwardlyfrom the inner portion 6 to the outer portion 7 of the hub 2, like in fig. 4. As seen fromfig. 4, most of the trunnion control mechanism is located below the stiffener 15. Thestiffener has openings 60 for the links 61 and the crossheads 62, so they can extendthrough the stiffener 15 and rotate the lever 22.
    Fig. 4 and 5 also illustrates how the stiffener 15 is fastened via screw joints, formedby screw holes 73 for screwing the upper portion of the stiffener 15 to the innerportion 6 of the hub 2, and screw holes 74 for screwing the lower portion of thestiffener 15 to the outer portion 7 of the hub 2. Not illustrated screws press the upperand lower portion of the stiffener 15 against the inner 6 and outer portion 7 of the hub2, respectively, and the friction of shear surfaces of the stiffener and the hub ensurethat the stiffener 15 is kept in place. Alternatively the stiffener 15 may be fastened vianot illustrated cylindrical pins.
    Fig. 6 illustrates a cross section through the stiffener 15 of fig. 5, and illustrates thescrew holes 73 and 74 discussed with reference to fig. 4 and 5.
    Fig. 4 also illustrates another aspect of the invention, namely that the trunnionbearings also comprise, for each trunnion 10, a trunnion inner axial bearing 18 fixedto the inner portion 6 of the hub 2, for preventing the trunnion from moving towardsthe hub axis 5. The inner axial bearing 18 counteracts a movement of the innerportion 12 of the trunnion due to the bending moment Mb, discussed with reference tofig. 2, and thus reduces the high contact pressure of the bearings discussed withreference to fig. 2. The contact pressure is also made more even. Preferably, asillustrated in fig. 4, the trunnion inner aXial bearing 18 is located between the innerportion 6 of the hub 2 and the inner portion 12 of the trunnion 10, and thereby actsdirectly on the trunnion.
    The invention is efficient in reducing deformations of the trunnion-lever-bladeassembly using either the stiffener 15 or the inner aXial bearing 18. However, whenusing both these aspects of the invention, the effect is to be considered synergetic.
    权利要求:
    Claims (1)
    [1] CLAIIVIS 1. A Kaplan runner (1), comprising: a hub (2) with a longitudinal hub aXis (5), for coupling (4) to a runnershaft (3), the hub has an inner portion (6) and a radially spaced outer portion(7), the inner and outer portions are structurally interconnected (59) in an upperarea of the hub; trunnions (10) inside the hub (2), spaced in the circumferential directionof the hub, each trunnion has a longitudinal trunnion aXis (11) eXtending radiallyto the hub axis (5); trunnion bearings, comprising trunnion radia| bearings (20, 21) forallowing the trunnions (10) to rotate around the trunnion aXes (11), andtrunnion aXial bearings (19) for preventing the trunnions from moving away fromthe hub axis (5); blades (8) outside the hub (2), each blade (8) is attached to or integralwith a trunnion (10), for rotating the trunnions and thereby the hub (2) aroundthe hub aXis (5) by the action of flowing water (9); a trunnion control mechanism (22, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) for regulatingthe rotational position of the trunnions (10) around the trunnion aXes (11), forregulating the blades (8), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n comprising astiffener (15) connecting the inner (6) and outer (7) portion of the hub (2). A Kaplan runner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stiffener (15) spans the space between the inner (6) and outer (7) portion of the hub (2). A Kaplan runner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stiffener (15) is located below the trunnion axis (11). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener(15) is connected to the inner portion (6) of the hub (2) close to the trunnion inner radia| bearings (20). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener(15) is connected to the outer portion (7) of the hub (2) close to the trunnion axial bearings (19). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) eXtends circumferentially of the hub (2). 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener(15) extends all the way around the hub (2). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) extends obliquely to the trunnion axis (11). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener(15) eXtends downwardly from the inner portion (6) to the outer portion (7) ofthe hub (2). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein at least some ofthe trunnion control mechanism (22, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) is located below thestiffener (15), and the stiffener has openings (60) for the trunnion control mechanism. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) is made from plate. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) is a welded construction. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein the stiffener (15) is a casting. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) is fastened via screw joints (73, 74). A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) is fastened via shear surfaces. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the stiffener (15) is fastened via cylindrical pins. A Kaplan runner (1) according to any preceding claims, wherein the trunnionbearings (19, 20, 21) also comprise, for each trunnion (10), a trunnion inneraXial bearing (18) located at the inner portion (6) of the hub (2), for preventing the trunnion (10) from moving towards the hub aXis (5). A Kaplan runner (1) according to claim 17, wherein the trunnion inner axialbearing (18) is located between the inner portion (6) of the hub (2) and the trunnion (10).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    NO20150431A1|2016-08-15|
    SE541372C2|2019-09-03|
    NO338393B1|2016-08-15|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    GB1069627A|1963-03-11|1967-05-24|English Electric Co Ltd|Improvements in or relating to hydraulic turbines,pumps,and reversible pump turbines|
    JPH0874721A|1994-09-07|1996-03-19|Toshiba Eng Co Ltd|Runner for kaplan turbine|
    SE506369C2|1996-04-29|1997-12-08|Kvaerner Turbin Ab|Device for hydraulic machine|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    NO20150431A|NO20150431A1|2015-04-10|2015-04-10|Kaplan runner with stiffener|
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