Method of refurbishing an energy conversion facility and refurbished energy conversion facility
US10190565B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49238
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This method can be used for refurbishing a facility for converting hydraulic energy into electrical or mechanical energy, and vice versa. The facility includes a Francis type pump-turbine. The pump-turbine includes a runner movable about an axis, a pre-distributor, including stay vanes defining between each pair of two adjacent stay vanes a first water passage channel and a distributor, including guide vanes arranged downstream of the stay vanes in the direction of water flow feeding the pump-turbine operating in turbine mode. The guide vanes define between each pair of two adjacent guide vanes a second water passage channel. This method includes steps of reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the first water passage channels and reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the second water passage channels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.