A hydraulic turbine power generator mounted on a single shaft wherein the hydraulic turbine means includes a plurality of reaction type turbine stages arranged to be in combination, rotatably responsive to the hydraulic fluid coupled to the turbines. One of the turbine stages having axial turbine runner means mounted to the single shaft and having a plurality of adjustable blades for permitting the pitch of the blades to be adjusted for controlling the effective operative fluid head to cause the shaft to rotate at a preselected speed and including means for adjusting the pitch of the adjustable blades. The turbine stages can be a Francis type turbine and a Kaplan type turbine. The hydraulic turbine power generator can be oriented in an upward direction to cause the fluid flow to travel upwardly through the turbine stages and function as a two phase turbine expander resulting in the separation of the liquid phase from the gas/vapor stage.
A small generator includes a hydraulic turbine provided in a fluid path rotating with a passage of a fluid in a predetermined flow and a rotator coupled to the hydraulic turbine rotating together with the hydraulic turbine which acts as a rotor portion opposed to a stator portion having multiple layers in a stepping motor including the stator portion, wherein the rotor portion relatively rotates with respect to the stator portion with the passage of the fluid, thereby generating a power.
An improved design for turbines increases efficiency while reducing potential for fish kill. In an embodiment of the present invention as relates to Kaplan turbines, the gap between stay vanes and their corresponding wicket gates is reduced or eliminated by provision of an extension to the trailing edge of the stay vane. In alternative embodiments, the extension may be added to the wicket gate or affixed to both in an arrangement that permits free movement of the wicket gate. To facilitate eliminating the gap altogether, the extension may be made of a pliable material or be fabricated in a telescoping or accordion arrangement to permit contact with opposing parts without damage thereto. By designing extensions using accepted hydraulic principles, a better fit of the stay vane to its associated wicket gate, and possibly to the turbines runners may be effected, further improving operational efficiency and possibly even extending maintenance intervals.
