Adjustable blade turbines

US6402477B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• VOITH SIEMENS HYDRO POWER GENERATION GMBH & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Joseph M. Cybularz · Jacobus, US
• Richard K. Donelson · Emigsville, US
• Richard K. Fisher, Jr. · Jacobus, US
• Robert G. Grubb · York, US
• Randy V. Seifarth · York, US
• Siegbert Etter · Heidenheim, DE
• Donald E. Zehner · Easton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 11, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/20
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.