A supporting structure comprises a shell and a plurality of support members which are independent of each other, inserted in the shell and arranged so that the flexural rigidity is smaller in the water flow than in a perpendecular to the water flow. The supporting structure supports one place of an axial-flow bulb turbine which is to be supported at two places spaced in the water flow direction from each other. The support structure is more flexible in the water flow direction than in the perpendicular direction to the water flow, so that small bending stresses are induced in the support structure and the axial stresses induced in the support structure by the weight and the buoyancy acting on the turbine and the bending stresses induced in the support structure by axial deformation of the turbine are kept below an allowable stress of material constituting the support structure.
An improved method and means for transforming kinetic energy into mechanical energy to generate hydroelectric power. A submersible scoop-like composite structure (10) with a hollow, tapered, inner chamber to funnel moving water through a turbine (22). The structure (10) has a hydrodynamically clean outer hull with cambered surfaces to increase the velocity of moving water to enhance the turbine's (22) efficiency. The structure (10) has a large orifice with a protective grill (14). The body of the structure (10) contains a vertical stabilizer petition (13) to keep the structure (10) parallel with the direction of the moving water. The detachable turbine (22) is housed in a tube (11) attached aft of the structure (10). The detachable generator (25A, 25B, 25C) is housed in a protective housing (12A, 12B, 12C) and attached to the turbine housing (11). The turbine (22) is coupled to the generator (25A, 25B, 25C) by a turbine drive shaft (24) through a gear box (23) to a generator drive shaft (26A, 26B, 26C). The turbine drive shaft (24) is supported by a front vertical support (27) and a rear vertical support (28). The generator drive shaft (26A, 26B, 26C) is protected by a generator drive shaft housing (29A, 29B, 29C). The entire structure is attached to an anchor base (16A, 16B, 18A, 18B, 21) by legs (15A, 15B, 17A, 19A, 19B, 20) The anchor base is fixed to a submerged medium. The scoop-like composite structure is formed from rigid material and submerged, whereby it cannot be seen from the surface. The structure is cost effective, efficient, produces no known pollution, and is not susceptible to weather related damage.
A power generation system comprising a gas turbine, a steam turbine and a generator are mounted on a foundation in substantial axial alignment and connected by a single shaft. A thrust bearing is located on the shaft in one of the gas turbine and steam turbine. Whichever of the gas turbine and steam turbine contains the thrust bearing is flexibly secured to the foundation, and the other of the gas turbine and the steam turbine, as well as the generator, are rigidly secured to the foundation. A pair of rigid tie rods also extend between the steam and gas turbines, parallel to the shaft, to maintain a predetermined axial distance between the turbines, while allowing relative movement in a plane perpendicular to the shaft.
The arrangement is of the kind in which at least one water turbine (11) is located in the path of a water source for power generation, comprising a barrage structure (10) which extends across and above the level of the water source (12). The invention is characterized in that the structure is of a cross-sectional width sufficient to absorb static and dynamic loading from said water source and defines only a draught tube (15) for the turbine, in that the turbine is mounted within an inlet casing (19) to form a separate assembly, in that the outlet end of said inlet casing is adapted to be releasably connected to the inlet end of said draught tube, in that locating and locking means (24, 25) are provided for effecting said releasable connection, and in that means (20 to 22) are provided for supporting the weight of the turbine/inlet casing assembly when connected to the draught tube. Preferably, the support means for the turbine comprises a support pier (20) extending upwardly from the wall of the inlet casing to beneath the turbine, and this assembly is, in turn, supported by further support means, comprising a foundation pad (21) mounted on (22) whereby the turbine in use will transmit static and dynamic loading to said piling via said support structure.
A water turbine arrangement employs a generator enclosed in a cylindrical casing. A turbine is arranged directly on the generator shaft outside the casing. The casing is arranged to a flow conduit by a support structure which has a tubular support shaft arranged to carry the cylindrical casing in the flow conduit. The cylindrical casing and the tubular support shaft and the turbine are removable from the flow conduit as a single structure through an installation hole.
The invention concerns a system (1) of bulb turbines (2), in which each bulb turbine (2) comprises a generator located in an essentially cylindrical area (4) of a turbine housing and a turbine wheel coupled to the generator and mounted in such a way that it can rotate (7), a suction pipe (13) being attached to each bulb turbine. Several bulb turbines (2) are coupled with one another in a field-like or matrix-like order both in an essentially horizontal position side by side as well as stacked in a vertical position or are stored in at least one single common support (8). In said system, several bulb turbines are stored in one common support (8) and releasably connected to the corresponding suction pipes (13).
