Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (R) of the Francis type that comprises a ring (1) with revolution symmetry about the rotation axis (Z) of the wheel (R), and curved blades (21, 22) connected to the ring (1) and each having an outer peripheral edge (212, 222) and an inner central edge (211, 221). The connection points (B21, B22) between the ring (1) and the inner central edges (211, 221) of the blades (21, 22) are located on a same circle (C20) centered on the axis (Z). The connection points (A21, A22) between the ring (1) and the outer peripheral edges (212, 222) of the blades (21, 22) are located on at least two distinct circles (C21, C22) (D21, D22) centered on the axis (Z).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic plant (I) that defines a path (4, 5, 6) for a forced water flow (E), and comprises at least one machine (1) of the turbine, pump or turbine-pump type, a member (8) provided with at least one deformable wall (81) and defining at least one closed volume (V8) with variable dimensions. The plant also includes means (9, 91) for supplying (Fg) the closed volume with a pressurized fluid. The member with a deformable wall (81) is mounted in a hydraulic duct (6) located downstream from a rotary portion (2) of the machine (1). The deformable wall defines, locally and downstream from the rotary portion (2), a modular section (S63) for the flow (E) passage in the hydraulic duct (6). According to the method of the invention, a pressurized fluid is injected (F9) into a closed volume having variable dimensions (V8) and defined by a member (8) provided in a hydraulic duct (6) located downstream from the rotary portion (2), in order to modulate the passage section (S63).

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (R) of the Francis type that comprises a ring (1) with revolution symmetry about the rotation axis (Z) of the wheel (R), and curved blades (21, 22) connected to the ring (1) and each having an outer peripheral edge (212, 222) and an inner central edge (211, 221). The connection points (B21, B22) between the ring (1) and the inner central edges (211, 221) of the blades (21, 22) are located on a same circle (C10) centred on the axis (Z). The connection points (A21, A22) between the ring (1) and the outer peripheral edges (212, 222) of the blades (21, 22) are located on at least two distinct circles (C21, C22) (D21, D22) centred on the axis (Z).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic plant (I) that defines a path (4, 5, 6) for a forced water flow (E), and comprises at least one machine (1) of the turbine, pump or turbine-pump type, a member (8) provided with at least one deformable wall (81) and defining at least one closed volume (V8) with variable dimensions. The plant also includes means (9, 91) for supplying (Fg) the closed volume with a pressurised fluid. The member with a deformable wall (81) is mounted in a hydraulic duct (6) located downstream from a rotary portion (2) of the machine (1). The deformable wall defines, locally and downstream from the rotary portion (2), a modular section (S63) for the flow (E) passage in the hydraulic duct (6). According to the method of the invention, a pressurised fluid is injected (F9) into a closed volume having variable dimensions (V8) and defined by a member (8) provided in a hydraulic duct (6) located downstream from the rotary portion (2), in order to modulate the passage section (S63).

Abstract: A Francis runner and a hydraulic turbine equipped with such a runner, wherein the runner includes a ceiling, a belt, and blades which extend between the ceiling and the belt and which define liquid flow channels therebetween. A ratio (e/L) of a maximum thickness Ce) of each blade to an average developed length (L) of an average fibre of each blade is between 0.1 and 0.2. At a leading edge of each blade, the average fibre is oriented, over essentially an entire height of the leading edge, along a straight line (?23), which forms an angle (?) greater than 90° relative to a line (U) defining a direction of rotation of the leading edge of the runner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Francis turbine and a hydraulic turbine comprising one such Francis turbine. The inventive Francis turbine comprises a ceiling, a belt and blades (2) which extend between the ceiling and the belt and which define liquid flow channels therebetween. The ratio (e/L) of the maximum thickness (e) of each blade (2) to the average developed length (L) of the average fibre (23) thereof is between 0.1 and 0.2. According to the invention, over essentially the entire height of the leading edge (21), said average fibre (23) is oriented along a straight line (?23) which forms an angle (?) greater than 90° in relation to the linear feed speed (U) of the leading edge (21) of the blade (2).