Abstract: The present invention provides a turbine sub-runner that is positioned to be within the vortex zone of a turbine wicket gates (zone “S-R”, FIG. 1). The sub-runner includes at least two sub-runner blades, configured to monitor the relative flow of the vortex created by the wicket gates. A control mechanism is connected to the sub-runner shaft via gear and threaded interface, and is capable of transferring the relative (vs main-runner) rotational energy of the sub-runner into angular movement of the main runner blades. As the sub-runner interacts with the changing conditions of the main vortex within the zone “S-R”, it will act to automatically regulate, adjust, and control the angle of the main runner blades to optimize the performance of the turbine. The sub-runner uses the energy of the vortex existing in the zone “S-R” to perform the monitoring, regulation, adjustment and control of the main runner through regulating angular position of main runner blades.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The lubrication system includes a supply source of a fluid lubricant, a main supply pump, and a boost pump system. The main supply pump has an MSP fluid flow inlet port and an MSP fluid flow exit port. The main supply pump is configured to receive a source fluid lubricant flow at a first pressure, and configured to produce a supply fluid flow at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. The boost pump system has a boost pump having a BP fluid flow inlet port, and a BP fluid flow exit port. The boost pump system is configured so that the boost pump selectively receives at least a portion of the supply fluid flow from the main supply pump at the BP fluid flow inlet port, and the boost pump is configured to produce a boost supply fluid flow at a third pressure at the BP fluid flow exit port, wherein the third pressure is greater than the second pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a steam valve apparatus includes: a hydraulic cylinder including an internal space sectioned into first and second chambers by a piston operated by a hydraulic liquid; a first passage to supply the hydraulic liquid to the first chamber; a second passage connecting the first and second chambers; a third passage to drain the hydraulic liquid from the second chamber; an electromagnetic valve switched between first and second states; a first cartridge valve opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state; and a second cartridge valve closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state.

Abstract: Systems and method for shutting down a turbine, with the system including a housing defining first and second flowpaths therein, and an inlet coupled to the housing and fluidly coupled to a source of a fluid and to the first and second flowpaths. The system also includes a first outlet coupled to the housing and selectively coupled to the first and second flowpaths, and a second outlet coupled to the housing and selectively coupled to the first and second flowpaths. The system further includes first, second, and third control valves received in the housing and intersecting the first and second flowpaths. The first, second, and third control valves are each movable between a tripped position and an untripped position, such that if two out of three are in the tripped position, fluid is blocked from the first outlet and is directed to the second outlet.

Abstract: Provision of flow control arrangements which can be switched from high flow restriction to low flow restriction or vice versa are desirable. It is known to use switched vortex valves comprising a vortex chamber having a diverter portion which jets a through flow into either radial presentation to an outlet or tangential presentation with differential flow restrictions. Typically deflection is through cross flows presented from control ports as determined by mechanically actuated and controlled valves. Sensors are required to determine pressure differentials in order to actuate these moving part valves. By providing association between the control ports and an outlet path along with appropriate configuration and sizing of the flow regulators switching states can be provided through the cross flows presented via the flow regulators between the high and low through flow restriction. The flow regulators generally comprise orifice restrictors, diffusers/venturi arrangements or vortex throttles.

Abstract: An actuating device includes: at least one first elongated member having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and at least one second elongated member having a second CTE different from the first CTE, the second elongated member being nested within the first elongated member, the device being configured to displace a portion of the device a selected distance along a major axis of the device based on a relationship between the first CTE and the second CTE in response to a change in temperature.

Abstract: A limit switch 6 is placed on an end portion of the trip rod 4, which converts the mechanical deviation of the trip rod 4 into an electrical signal. The electrical signal from the limit switch 6 is transmitted to quick acting solenoid valves placed in a drive unit for a steam valve via a sequence circuit device, and then the steam valve is closed. Accordingly, an equipment structure can be simplified and reliability can be improved as compared to conventional arts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for turbine overspeed protection, useful for steam and gas turbines, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a spring-loaded rod held by a plurality of energized solenoids in an operating position any time the turbine's shaft rotational speed is less than a trip rotational speed set-point. When the rotational speed reaches the trip rotational speed set-point, both solenoids are de-energized and the spring-loaded rod moves to provide turbine trip. Increased reliability of the solenoids is provided by compressing the spring during the resetting of the rod with an additional electromechanical actuator and by using a plurality of solenoids, each of which is able to provide the force required to hold the spring in its compressed state.

Abstract: A speed governor for a pneumatic rotation motor having a pressure air inlet passage (15, 15?), an inlet valve (16; 56) including a flow controlling valve element (18; 58) located in the inlet passage (15, 15?), and a speed responsive activating device (24; 54) operatively connected to the inlet valve (16; 56), wherein the activating device (24, 54) comprises a pilot circuit with an activating surface (20; 70) on the valve element (18; 58), a restricted air supply opening (21, 72) communicating with the activating surface (20; 70), a bleed-off valve (24; 54) which communicates with the activating surface (20; 70) and which comprises an electromagnet actuator (27; 76), and a generator (30) driven by the motor and delivering to the actuator (27; 76) a voltage of a magnitude responsive to the actual motor speed to thereby make the bleed-off valve (24; 54) operate in response to the output voltage of the generator (30) and the actual motor speed.

Abstract: A windmill having a plurality of radially extending blades, each being an aerodynamic-shaped airfoil having a cross-section which is essentially an inverted pan-shape with an intermediate section, a leading edge into the wind, and a trailing edge which has a flange doubled back toward the leading edge and an end cap. The blade is of substantial uniform thickness. An air compressor and generator are driven by the windmill. The compressor is connected to a storage tank which is connected to the intake of a second compressor.

Abstract: An improved windmill includes a conical rotor unit, a frame for supporting the conical rotor unit and a base for supporting the frame. The conical rotor unit has a conical rotor with a plurality of spaced curved blades disposed thereon and a plurality of spaced slant blades located at an outer rim of the conical rotor. The conical rotor has small wind resistance and may rotate under low speed wind to generate rotor rotation. The frame is rotationable about the base to enable the conical rotor to capture wind from different directions. The conical rotor is heavier than conventional windmill rotor and may serve as a fly wheel to store kinetic energy for the windmill to produce steady rotation under different wind speed for a long period of time.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating power comprising one or more blades mounted to a shaft for rotational movement in response to an airflow, a housing having a generally central longitudinal axis, the housing surrounding the one or more blades and the shaft, wherein the housing includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and an adjustable scoop operably associated with the housing to alter the airflow entering the inlet opening.

Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.

Abstract: The subject invention is an improved building structure used for residential or other purposes, and structured to utilize wind power to an optimal extent for auxiliary power purposes, such building comprising basically a building structure that has a tunnel-like opening in a portion thereof, which tunnel is adapted to contain a wind sensitive generator therein, and wherein the building has portions of the building flanking both sides of the ingress end of said wind tunnel.

Abstract: This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a wind wheel (1) having at least one planetary gear wheel (10) affixed rigidly to a wind-wheel axle (2) from which gear trains for each of a plurality of wind-wheel plates (9) are rotated to maximum plate frontage in wind flow (30) by gear belts (21) intermediate the gear trains and axes of the plurality of wind-wheel plates. The gear trains each have a second gear wheel (12) with a 0.50-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear, a third gear wheel (15) with a 2.0-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear, a first gear-belt wheel (18) extended concentrically from a side of the third gear wheel and having a 0.60-to-1.0 gearing ratio to the planetary gear and, a second gear-belt wheel (20) having a gearing ratio that is equal to the first gear-belt wheel. The plurality of wind-wheel plates with corresponding drive trains is preferably six but can be any number appropriate for design preferences.

Abstract: One manifestation of an advanced superventuri power source comprises: (i) a series of at least three venturi tubes with at least one threesome of the tubes labeled an alpha-, beta-, and gamma-venturi tube respectively, and of predetermined successively increasing flow capacity respectively; (ii) the alpha- and beta-venturi tubes each having an open entrance to permit flow through the respective open entrance and out of the respective open exit; (iii) respective inlets of the threesome each facing the intended direction of flow; (iv) the open exits of the alpha- and beta-venturi tubes placed adjacent the throats of the beta- and gamma-venturi tubes, respectively, so that respective central axes of the threesome essentially merge into a central super-axis along an intended line of flow; (v) as referenced from the super-axis, the inlets of the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-venturi tubes being positioned to intercept relatively inner, intermediate, and outer portions of the selected medium as an alpha-, beta-, and gam

Abstract: A wind wheel apparatus for the generation of electrical energy including a support tower, a platform mounted on the support tower and a wind wheel positioned on the platform substantially off-set from a central axis of the support tower so that the wind wheel is automatically positioned to face into a wind stream. The wind wheel has an outer housing having an outer wall and an inner wall enclosing a plurality of bearings. A geared flange having an outer rim and an inner rim is secured to the outer housing. The outer rim of the geared flange is secured on one side to the inner wall of the outer housing and is in moveable contact with the plurality of bearings. The geared flange has a plurality of gear teeth operably positioned therein. A central hub has a propeller operably secured to it for engagement with the inner rim of the geared flange. The geared flange is rotatable within the outer housing.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion system employs a wind turbine means mounted on a frame, said wind turbine having a venturi configured shroud with a core and a plurality of blades fixedly mounted between the core and the throat of the venturi. The blades have an air foil design consisting essentially of an inverted pan-shaped, cross-sectional configuration to create high torque at low air speed.

Abstract: An energy conversion device which comprises a stacked array of alternating yawable and fixed toroidal modules about a central core structure. The yawable toroids have typically four impact impellers mounted in their peripheral flow regions for the purpose of capturing flow energy. The fixed toroids are mounted to complement and further enhance fluid flow impact impeller energy capture and to provide housing means for a variety of matter both associated and unassociated with the energy system. The stacked array of a toroid with impellers, designated a Toroidal Rotor Amplifier Platform (TRAP.TM.), and a toroid without impellers, designated a Toroidal Wind Frame (TWF.TM.), is referred to in aggregate, when used for wind energy conversion, as a Wind Amplified Rotor Platforms (WARP.TM.) system. Under wind energy conversion use, a WARP.TM.

Abstract: A superventuri power source comprises: (i) a series of at least two venturi tubes with at least one twosome of the tubes labeled an alpha- and a beta-venturi tube, respectively, and of predetermined successively increasing flow capacity, respectively; (ii) the alpha-venturi tube having an open entrance and an open exit to permit flow through the open entrance and out of the open exit; (iii) respective inlets of the twosome each facing the intended direction of flow; (iv) the open exit of the alpha-venturi tube placed adjacent the throat of the beta-venturi tube so that respective central axes of the twosome essentially merge into a central super-axis along an intended line of flow; (v) as referenced from the super-axis, the inlets of the alpha- and beta-venturi tubes being positioned to intercept relatively inner and outer portions of a selected medium as an alpha- and a beta-flow, respectively, whereby alpha-flow as exhaust from the open exit of the alpha-venturi tube joins accelerated beta-flow adjacent the

Abstract: An accelerator for a windmill structure as described which is a frustro-conical funnel-like device intended to direct a stream of wind therethrough onto the impeller of a windmill. As the wind passes through the device, it is constricted whereby the velocity increases and exits a throat-like outlet as a diverging jet impacting the impeller blades to thereby increase the kinetic energy available to be converted to mechanical or electrical energy by said windmill. The device of this invention can include a vane for maintaining the accelerator facing into the wind with the windmill, a mounting platform for either the accelerator or both accelerator and the windmill, and an internal configuration to said accelerator to impart a swirling spiral motion to the wind passing therethrough as it is constricted.

Abstract: An in-line fluid medium driven charging system includes a fluid medium driven generator disposed in a fluid medium directing tube. The fluid medium driven generator includes an auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member and is coupled to an electrical generator. Rotation of the auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member by intercepting a flow of a fluid medium causes rotation of the electrical generator, thereby generating electrical energy which recharges and assists in maintaining the life of a battery in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: An auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member is disclosed which includes a helically or auger shaped outer region disposed about a longitudinal axis which passes through a central region of the member. The auger shaped outer region establishes at least one auger or helically shaped fluid medium engaging surface, which intercepts the flow of a fluid medium such as air or water, for effecting rotational movement of the fluid medium engaging member about its longitudinal axis. The auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member may be coupled to an electrical generator, for generating electrical energy upon rotational movement.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the speed of a steam turbine by operating a steam valve rack assembly to adjust the flow of steam to the turbine by controlling the position of the turbine valve rack actuator in response to high pressure oil fed, reacting to signals from a speed control system, through a proportional valve to the valve rack actuator. High pressure oil is fed to the proportional valve from a hydraulic oil accumulator, charged with an inert gas, in which high pressure oil is stored. A source of low pressure oil directed to a pressure intensifying device increases the oil pressure to a high pressure and circulates the high pressure oil to the hydraulic oil accumulator and the proportional valve to stroke the turbine valve rack actuator in response to signals from the speed control system. The system further includes an emergency stop valve system which operates to close the turbine valve rack assembly very rapidly in the event of a serious turbine condition.

Abstract: A device for causing a drop in the pressure of high pressure oil controlling admission valves of a steam turbine in the event of excess speed, the device comprising a speed trip (2) constrained to rotate with the shaft (1) of the turbine and fed downstream from a constriction (5) with low pressure oil from the low pressure lubricating oil circuit of the turbine, the device being characterized in that it comprises a hydraulically controlled valve (9) having a hollow body (23) containing a closing valve member (24) for closing a discharge orifice (12) connected to said high pressure oil circuit, said closing valve member (24) being connected to a plate (25) dividing in sealed manner the inside of the body of the hydraulically controlled valve (9) into two compartments, a "first" one (11) of said compartments being situated on the same side as said discharge orifice (12) and also including at least one evacuation orifice (37), and the "second", other one of the compartments (8) being fed downstream via a feed or

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced as a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accommodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced as a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accommodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion system includes specially shaped blades mounted in a specific location on a specially shaped blade-supporting body to maximize energy conversion from wind energy to electrical energy. The blade-supporting body includes a concave section located upstream of a convex section, with the two sections being joined together at a location of maximum diameter. The blades are mounted on the body at the location of maximum diameter. Each blade includes two surfaces each of which includes a concave section and a convex section. The blade surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a blade thickness dimension that increases from essentially zero at blade tips to a maximum adjacent to a blade longitudinal axis that extends from a blade proximal end mounted on the blade-supporting body to a distal end spaced from said blade-supporting body.

Abstract: A wind engine has a propeller which is a conical or flat wheel obligatorily surrounded by depression creating deflectors, and the blades of the propeller, occupying the quasi-totality of the propeller surface, are directly obliquely attacked by the wind, in the case of the conical rotor or, in the case of the flat wheel, after deviation by a grid of deflectors.

Abstract: A more efficient wind power generation system is afforded by extending tower heights to several hundred meters to operate wind catching rotors and generators aligned with the wind direction at various levels along the tower. With multiple vertically cascaded wind generators and higher velocity winds at higher elevations greater power is produced in a system characterized by a small footprint. This is particularly enhanced by a single mast construction, which is supported by a dynamic guy wire tensioning system to accomodate varying lateral forces primarily caused by the change in direction of wind loads on the tower. The mast is built from modular sections connected together at articulated joints, between which the various rotors are stationed.

Abstract: Combination trip and throttle valve steam controls for a steam turbine include manual controls to actuate the trip mechanism and shut the turbine down and a trip/reset, with a single control to regulate the steam delivered to the turbine and to reset the trip mechanism to provide simplified and reliable controls.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preventing the overspeed of a low head hydroelectric generating set including a turbine having an adjustable distributor valve assembly and adjustable vanes wherein the openings of the valve assembly and vanes are continuously monitored relative to one another and with the openings of the valve being limited by a conjugation device so as to insure that the pressure head through the turbine is retained at or just slightly below the normal lowest operating pressure head for which the turbine is designed to operate.

Abstract: A rotary type electrostatic spray painting device including a rotary shaft driven by an air turbine. A reflecting face portion and a non-reflecting face portion are formed on the rear end face of the rotary shaft. A rotating speed sensor is arranged adjacent to the rear end face of the rotary shaft to detect the rotating speed of the rotary shaft from light reflected from the reflecting face portion. The amount of pressurized air fed into the air turbine is controlled in response to the output signal of the rotating speed sensor so that the rotating speed of the rotary shaft becomes equal to a desired rotating speed.

Abstract: A method of and system for controlling a hydraulic turbine including a variable throttle valve located in fluid channel upstream or downstream of the hydraulic turbine adapted to be closed simultaneously as guide vanes of the hydraulic turbine are closed at a velocity higher than a predetermined velocity. The variable throttle valve is closed to a certain degree of opening in response to the sudden closing action of the guide vanes, but slowly opened to an original full open position after the guide vanes has closed to a predetermined degree of opening.

Abstract: A rotary type pumping machine such as a pump turbine in a pumped storage hydro-electric plant, wherein, when the pumping operation of the runner of the machine is started, compressed air is introduced into the runner chamber to depress the water surface in the runner chamber to facilitate the start up of the runner and, when the runner is accelerated to a predetermined speed, the air in the runner chamber is discharged through an air discharge valve to commence the pumping operation. Water pressure available in the water passageway on upper reservoir side of the runner chamber is applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve. The valve opening force exerted by a valve operating mechanism and acting on the valve opening mechanism of the air discharge valve is selected to be greater than the valve closing force generated by the water pressure applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new cavitation free hydraulic turbine system which fully utilizes well-established hydrodynamic theories useful for low-head hydroelectric applications. The hydropower turbine system of the present invention makes use of a fixed blade propeller turbine with reverse blade angle and an upward flow passage. To eliminate the complex flow control adjustable vane system and elaborate tube design and construction of the prior art, the new turbine system is provided with a vertical needle valve and a near zero absolute velocity free exit flow design.

Abstract: A multiple-purpose, closed-loop, automatic control system is disclosed, having a system controlled, and means for detecting a controlled variable output from the system controlled and for converting the controlled variable into an electrical feedback signal. The system further includes signal converting means for receiving the feedback signal and for converting the signal into an angular displacement corresponding to the feedback signal; means for comparing the controlled variable with a preset desired value and for selectively opening or closing a forward or reverse controlling circuit; and controlling means for automatic control over the system controlled to keep the controlled variable within the preset desired value. The controlling means includes the forward and the reverse controlling circuits selectively opened or closed by the comparing means, a braking control circuit and a driving mechanism responsive to the forward and reverse control circuits and the braking control circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to engine speed governor and is fully hydraulically actuated in proportion to sudden load changes of a steam turbo-generator engine. The invention comprises a transmitter and a receiver inter-connected by tubings. Oil pressure from the engine lubricating system through a pressure reducing valve is used as an operating power for the transmitter and the receiver for operating engine main control valve. The transmitter comprises a control valve having two axially spaced apart pistons and internal oil passages, a fixed spring and an adjustable concentrical spring acting on the top piston of the control valve, a variable spring acting on the bottom piston of the control valve and is seated on a stem which is connected to engine speed measuring device such as fly-weight by a push rod and a center rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a water turbine is disclosed wherein an auxiliary servomotor having a capacity substantially equal to that of a servomotor for actuating pressure regulator is provided for actuating flow control guide vanes, the auxiliary servomotor for the guide vanes and the servomotor for the pressure regulator being connected through pipe lines. The guide vanes for the water turbine are controlled according to a position of an auxiliary servomotor for the governor and the servomotor for the pressure regulator is controlled according to a difference between the opening position of the guide vanes and the set position of a load limiter for the water turbine.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based control system for controlling the speed of a steam turbine by governing the steam supplied thereto from a steam supply source using one or more hydraulically operated servomotor throttle valves is disclosed. The operation of the speed controller is characterized by a plurality of permanently pre-programmed read-only memories containing sets of instructions and data words arranged in an addressable order. The instructions and data words are synchronously processed by the microprocessor as governed by a system clock. Apparatus is provided to initialize the status of the speed controller under the control of the microprocessor in accordance with the processing of one portion of the sets of programmed instructions and data words thereby.

Abstract: A valve system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid for opening and closing the main control valve for a turbine system. The valve system comprises: first valve means for passing hydraulic fluid to the servo motor to maintain the control valve open during normal operating conditions of the turbine and to interrupt the supply of hydraulic fluid in response to a predetermined normal pressure drop; second valve means for draining hydraulic fluid from the servo motor to close the control valve in response to a predetermined normal pressure drop in the turbine system; and third valve means for separately draining hydraulic fluid from the servo motor to relieve the latter of pressure rapidly in response to an abnormal pressure drop in the turbine system with consequent rapid closing of the control valve.