Patent · US Expired

Rim-type hydroelectric machine

US4064403A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
8References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1976
Grant dateDec 20, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/20
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a hydroelectric machine including a tube-type hydraulic machine having a bladed wheel which carries adjustable blades, rotates about a horizontal axis and is connected with a shaft which extends into a guide blade lattice hub, and an electrical machine which surrounds the bladed wheel and has a rotor secured to an annular rim in which the external ends of the adjustable wheel blades are pivotably mounted. The rotating set is provided with three radial bearing arrangements, one being associated with the rotating unit formed by the rotor and the rim, providing sole radial support for that unit, and consisting exclusively of hydrostatic devices which support without physical contact. The other bearing arrangements are associated with the shaft at its free and bladed wheel ends, respectively. The bearing arrangement at the free shaft end and one of the other bearing arrangements center the rotating set with respect to the axis of rotation and are the only bearings which perform this function. The remaining radial bearings provide a constant supporting force when there are slow radial movements of the rotating set and a progressively increasing supporting force w…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.