Abstract: A turbine installation comprising a turbine in combination with an electrical closed-loop control system. The turbine is disposed in a flow of water for producing electrical energy. The turbine includes a hollow hub and a plurality of runner blades pivotally connected to a hollow hub. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil being bounded by an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. The blades are adjustable in pitch from a maximum pitch position in which an inner portion of the water directing surface extends substantially in a direction of the water flow, to a minimum pitch position in which an outer portion of the water directing surface is substantially perpendicular to the water flow. The hollow hub has spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a hub longitudinal axis. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine installation comprises a hollow hub and a plurality of variable pitch projecting generally radially outwardly therefrom at radially spaced locations. The hollow hub has a first gas passage extending therethrough, the first gas passage being fluidly coupled to a gas source. Each blade is bounded by an inner edge and a distal outer edge, and a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge separated from the leading edge by a water directing surface. The inner edge of each blade generally sweeps a region of the outer surface of the hub during variations in pitch of the blades. At least one of the blades has a second gas passage extending therethrough from a root region of the blade to a spaced apart gas discharge aperture. The at least one of the blades is pivotally mounted in the hub by a blade support assembly. The blade support assembly includes a third gas passage which fluidly couples the first gas passage in the hub to the second gas passage in the at least one of the blades.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to improve the survivability of fish present in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The turbine is provided with a gap shielding device designed to shield a gap formed between the hub and the blade inner edge as the blade is rotated about its axis. The gap shielding device may comprise a plurality of independently biased pins, a plurality of fluid jets, a plurality of flexible members, a fluid-filled boot, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hydroelectric power production facility includes sensors for detecting the presence of fish adjacent to the facility. A controller linked to the sensors controls the orientation of control surfaces associated with a turbine/generator set to enhance the survivability of fish entrained into the facility when fish are detected to be present. The controller may instead or in addition activate projection arrays to guide fish to particular turbines or selected areas within the turbines that enhance the survivability of the fish passing through the turbines. The system may also be adapted to control fish bypass and spillway structures within the facility to further enhance the survivability of fish populations. The system balances fish survivability with other parameters related to the operation of the facility, optimizing power production levels once estimates of fish survivability meet targets or optimum levels.

Abstract: A turbine disposed in a water passageway includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The water passageway includes a spherically-shaped discharge ring that conforms to the outer edges of the blades to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability. The turbine hub may also include a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region swept by the inner edges of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch, as well as seals attached to the inner edges of the blades. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to enhance the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough, includes a rotating shaft and a runner secured to the shaft. The runner includes a crown, a band and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade is defined by an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. At least one blade includes an integrally formed gas passage in fluid communication with a gas admission aperture in the crown. The gas passage may extend to the trailing edge. Alternatively, the gas passage may extend to the band, and the band then includes a gas discharge means. A method for making a blade having an integral gas passage includes securing a member with a first groove to an insert with a cooperating second grove. A turbine having a hub and a plurality of rotatable blades includes a plurality of groups of gas passages extending to at least one exterior region of the hub associated with a blade.

Abstract: A turbine installation having reduced inner and outer gaps comprises a water passageway and a turbine runner disposed in the passageway downstream of a discharge ring. The turbine runner includes a hollow hub having spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a longitudinal axis and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil having an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis so that its inner edge is proximate the hub. Each blade is rotatable between a maximum pitch position and a minimum pitch position. The discharge ring has a spherical configuration cooperable with the outer edge of each of the blades to reduce an outer gap formed between the outer edge of each of the blades and the passageway.

Abstract: A turbine installation is adapted for enhancing the level of dissolved gas in water flowing therethrough. The installation comprises a water passageway for containing turbine components including a turbine runner. The water passageway extends from an upper elevation source of water to a lower elevation discharge region. The turbine runner is disposed in the passageway so that water flowing therethrough impinges on the runner. The runner includes a plurality of blades extending from the hub at circumferentially spaced intervals. Each blade is defined by a pressure surface, an oppositely facing suction surface, a leading edge and an spaced apart trailing edge. At least one of the blades has an integrally formed gas passage extending from a gas inlet aperture in the hub to the trailing edge.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hydroelectric power production facility includes sensors for detecting the presence of fish adjacent to the facility. A controller linked to the sensors controls the orientation of control surfaces associated with a turbine/generator set to enhance the survivability of fish entrained into the facility when fish are detected to be present. The system may be adapted to control fish bypass and spillway structures within the facility to further enhance the survivability of fish populations. The system balances fish survivability with other parameters related to the operation of the facility, optimizing power production levels once estimates of fish survivability meet targets or optimum levels. The system may be adapted to coordinate control of several facilities along a water system to permit implementation of an overall water, fish and power management plan.

Abstract: A turbine, disposed in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The hub includes a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region of the hub swept by the inner surface of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade. The turbine may also include seals attached to the blade inner surface and an essentially spherically-shaped discharge ring to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to improve the survivability of fish present in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The turbine is provided with features designed to shield a gap formed between the hub and the blade inner edge as the blade is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: A shrouded turbine for enhancing the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough. The turbine comprises a rotatably mounted runner within a stationary casing. The casing includes a head cover, a discharge ring and a draft tube which together define a water passage extending from an upstream inlet port to a downstream outlet port. A gas chamber substantially surrounds a peripheral portion of the draft tube, and a gas discharge slot connects the gas chamber to the water passage. The slot is substantially continuous and extends substantially about an entire circumference of the water passage. An oxygen containing gas source is connected to the gas chamber, and the gas pressure in the gas chamber is greater than a water pressure in the water passage adjacent the slot. Gas is discharged from the slot into the water passage so that the level of dissolved oxygen in the water discharged from the downstream port is increased.

Abstract: A turbine installation for regulating the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough. The turbine installation comprises a runner rotatably mounted within a stationary casing. The runner includes a crown, a band, and a plurality of blades extending between the crown and the band. The stationary casing includes a head cover disposed concentric with and spaced from the crown and a discharge ring concentric with and spaced from the band. At least one annular seal is disposed between the casing the runner to limit water leakage into a mixing chamber formed between the relatively rotating casing and runner. A gas supply is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for supplying a flow of a gas thereto, and a control system controls the flow of gas into the mixing chamber for regulating the level of dissolved gas in the water discharged from the turbine installation.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to enhance the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough, includes a rotating shaft and a runner secured to the shaft. The runner includes a crown, a band and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade is defined by an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. At least one of the blades includes a leading blade portion with a first slot along a rear edge thereof and a trailing blade portion with a second slot along a front edge thereof. The leading and trailing blade portions are fixedly secured together along their front and rear edges so that the first and second slots cooperate to form an integral gas passage in the at least one blade. The at least one blade further includes a means for discharging gas from the channel to a location adjacent the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method of making a reaction turbine blade for enhancing the level of dissolved gas in water passing through a turbine. The method includes the steps of machining a blank to have an overall blade profile and control points, and fixedly securing a perimeter of a plate to a region of the blank. The plate has a region spaced from the blank to form a gas channel leading from an inner edge of the blank to an outer edge of the blank. The partially formed blade comprising the blade profile and attached plate is then formed into the shape of a hydrofoil having a curved pressure surface and a curved gas channel. A shallow groove may be formed on one of the suction surface and the pressure surface leading from the inner edge toward the outer edge, with the plate secured to the blank overlying the shallow groove.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to enhance the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough, includes a rotating shaft and a runner secured to the shaft. The runner includes a crown, a band and a plurality of spaced apart runner blades. Each blade has a water directing surface defined by a pressure side, an oppositely facing suction side, a leading edge and a spaced apart trailing edge. At least one of the blades further has a first gas admission passage extending from a first gas admission aperture formed in the crown to a second gas admission aperture formed in the band. The runner further includes an interconnection passage and a gas discharge aperture formed in the band for discharging an oxygen containing gas from the band.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine unit while operating normally in the pumping mode by identifying gate positions resulting in optimization of certain parameters of interest. Influences of gate positions on the optimized parameters is determined and used to evaluate the combined effect of the gate position on the parameters. Weighting coefficients may be used to alter the relative importance of each parameter in the gate position ultimately selected. Gate positions are optimized for each location in a multi-dimensional virtual cam matrix as conditions defining the locations are encountered. A parameter error or evaluation routine is provided for evaluating the consistency of monitored parameter values and for identifying trends that may require reconfiguration of the virtual cam matrix or alterations in the optimization routine, such as changes in the weighting of various parameters.

Abstract: A shrouded turbine for enhancing the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough. The turbine comprises a rotatably mounted runner, a stationary discharge ring and a band seal. The runner includes a crown, a band, and a plurality of blades extending between the crown and the band. The discharge ring is concentric with the band and spaced therefrom to permit relative rotation of the band and discharge ring. The band seal is disposed near an upstream edge of the band between the discharge ring and the band to limit water leakage into a band mixing chamber formed therebetween. The seal and the chamber are configured such that the band mixing chamber remains substantially flooded during turbine operation. A gas admission aperture allows gas to be injected into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is configured to promote mixing of the gas with the water leaking into the chamber during turbine operation. An additional mixing chamber may be provided above the crown.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing performance of a Kaplan turbine power generating unit are provided wherein an optimal "N-dimensional" virtual cam is populated with gate and blade positional settings producing maximum power output for a set of N operating parameters. The preferred parameters include head, flow, power generation level, physical situation of the unit, operating state of neighboring units, trash rack loss and a parameter indicative of cavitation (such as relative submersion level). When the system detects a unique set of operating conditions for which optimization is needed, an iterative optimization search is performed for the best gate and blade positional settings, which are then saved in memory (populating the cam matrix) for subsequent use when the same operating conditions are encountered. The optimal matrix divides parameters having ranges into range segments and treats other parameters as having discrete states.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating water discharging from a hydraulic turbine comprises an air distribution apparatus secured to the trailing edges of a turbine runner. The air distribution apparatus comprises a manifold which contains a bounded air channel extending the length of the runner blade trailing edge. A plurality of holes are formed along the mainfold extending between the channel and the turbine interior. The channel is in air flow communication with a source of oxygen.