Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02526925 2005-10-17
Water Wheel Motor.
Field of the invention
The technical solution refers to the equipment for change of hydro-energetic
potential
of water flow to the mechanical energy with the possibility of further
transformation of the
energy into another form.
Background of the invention
At the presence there are many types of the equipments used in the world for
transformation of hydro-energetic potential of water flow to the mechanical
energy with
the possibility to transform this energy into another form. According to their
design and the
way of energy transformation they are divided into water wheels and water
turbines.
The water wheels are actuated by upper, middle and lower drive. The water
wheels
with upper drive use the potential energy of water. They are of the bucket
type, rotating
between the upper and lower water level. Water from the upper level flows into
the
buckets and turns the wheel by the water gravity; water flows out on the lower
level. The
operating conditions of water wheels with upper drive are: The water level
difference from
3 to 12 m, water flow rate from 0.3 to 1.0 m3. s t
The water wheels with middle and lower drive are of the paddle type, they
rotation
axis is above the lower level and the water wheel paddles take the energy from
the water
by wading in the lower flow, created by stream coming from the upper level.
The water
wheel with middle drive use partially the potential energy and partially the
kinetic energy
of water streaming between the water wheel paddles approximately at the level
of water
wheel rotation axis. They are represented by Sagebien, Zuppinger and Piccard
wheels.
The water wheels with lower drive use only the kinetic energy of water flowing
between
the water wheel paddies in the tangential direction at the lower part of the
water wheel.
The representant of this type is the Poncelet wheel.
The water wheel paddles are plane, or slightly bent in the plane perpendicular
to the
water wheel rotation axis. The operating conditions of water wheels with
middle and
lower drive are: The difference between water levels fi-om 0.5 to 4.0 m, flow
rates from 0.5
to 4.0 m3.s ~. The efficiency of all water wheels moves from 60 to 70 %. The
advantage of
water wheels is their simple design and low price. Their disadvantage is their
low
efficiency and a small range of operating conditions. The low efficiency is
caused by
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paddle shape and their resistance by wading in water. The small range of
operation
conditions results from the relation between the water wheel dimension and the
difference
of water levels.
The water turbines are classified, according to the water energy type they
use, to the
isobaric and overpressure type and according to the turbine water flow
direction to radial,
axial, radial-axial, diagonal, tangential, with oblique flow and double flow.
The isobaric
turbines - Pelton and Banki turbine, take the water kinetic energy.
The Pelton turbine is of tangential type. Water is supplied via pressure pipe
with a
nozzle on its end, where its pressure energy is transformed into the kinetic
one and the
stream of water is sprayed in tangential direction on the space shaped turbine
paddles along
the turbine rotor circumference. The turbine rotor rotates in the air above
the lower water
level. The rotation axis can be horizontal and vertical. The operation ranges
are: The
difference between water levels from 30 to 900 m, flow rates from 0.02 to 1.0
m3.s 1. The
efficiency moves up to 91 %.
The Banki turbine with double radial flow through the paddle wheel has a
horizontal
rotation axis. The wheel paddles take the kinetic energy from water streaming
out of
regulation flap, located immediately above the turbine wheel. The operation
conditions
are: The difference between water levels from 1.5 to 50 m, flow rates from
0.02 to 1.5
m3.s'~. The effciency moves up to 85%.
The representatives of water overpressure turbines are: Kaplan turbine,
Francisci
turbine, and their different modifications, for example so called propeller or
suction
turbine.
The Kaplan turbine is of axial type. The operation conditions are: The
difference
between water levels from 1.5 to 75 m, flow rates from 0.2 to 20 m3.s'. The
efficiency
moves from 88 to 95%.
The Francis turbine is of radial-axial type. The operation ranges are: The
difference
between water levels from 10 to 400 m, flow rates from 0.05 to 15 m3.s ~. The
efficiency
moves from 88 to 95%.
The advantage of water turbines is a big range of operation conditions and
higher
efficiency. Their disadvantage is the complicated equipment and high price.
Description of the invention
In the proposed technical solution the advantages of water wheel, simple
design and
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low price, are combined with the advantages of water turbine; the water wheel
motor, for
energetic use of hydro-energetic potential of the water flow, consists of the
outlet device,
drain device, wheel and isobaric paddles fixed to the wheel, which can rotate
around the
rotation axis.
The wheel with fixed isobaric paddles rotates around its rotation axis and has
such a
position, in relation to the drain device, that all paddle points are in the
zero or bigger
distance above the plane, which is identical or lower and at the same time
parallel to the
plane limiting the drain device space containing water.
The rotation axis of the wheel with isobaric paddles can be vertical,
horizontal or
oblique.
The outlet device, thanks to its shape and position of its axis in relation to
the isobaric
paddle wheel, guides the water stream, created by the hydro-energetic water
potential, to
the isobaric paddles fixed to the wheel.
The isobaric paddles take the kinetic energy from water streaming on them and
exerting the force on them, and they change this energy to the mechanical
energy of the
wheel rotary movement. The isobaric paddles, due to their shape, size,
position in relation
to the water stream, direction, shape of their trajectory and relative speed
of their
movement against the water stream, determine the transformation efficiency of
kinetic
water energy to the mechanical energy.
The wheel design enables the fwrther transport of its rotation movement
energy, gained
by means of the isobaric paddles from the kinetic water energy, to other
technical
equipments.
The water stream, guided by the outlet equipment on the isobaric wheel
paddles, falls
from the isobaric wheel paddles, after giving them its kinetic energy, on the
water surface,
which is identical or lower and at the same time parallel with the plane
limiting the space
of drain device containing water, which is located below the wheel.
Description of the Drawings
Fig. l - diagram explaining the nature of technical solution of the water
wheel motor.
Fig.2 - small hydro-electric power plant with inlet channel, pressure shaft
and water wheel
motor with horizontal rotation axis.
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Fig.3 - small hydro-electric power plant with inlet channel, pressure shaft
and water wheel
motor with vertical rotation axis.
Fig.4- small hydrn-electric power plant with inlet channel, water slip and
water wheel
motor with horizontal rotation axis.
Fig.S - small hydro-electric power plant with water level heaved by a steel
damper and
with four independent water wheel motor with horizontal rotation axis.
Fig.6 - small hydro-electric power plant on the weir of the water flow with
water wheel
motor with vertical rotation axis.
Fig.7 - small hydro-electric power plant on the heaved weir with water wheel
motor with
horizontal rotation axis.
Fig.8 - small hydra-electric power plant on the overflow over the steel damper
of the water
flow with water wheel motor, with horizontal rotation axis.
Examples
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 2 was used for the design of a
small hydro-
electric power plant of micro plants category, with the level difference of
2.8 m, flow rate
0.125 to 1.0 m3.s ~ and with installed capacity of 22 kW. The equipment in the
Fig. 2
consists of upper water level inlet channel 3 pressure shaft 12. regulating
outlet device 1
floater regulator 1 I of the outlet equipment 1 isobaric paddles 4 fixed on
the wheel 5 with
horizontal rotation axis 18, drain device 6 friction transmission 7, generator
8 electric part
of the micro-electric power plant 9 equipment carrying frame 10.
The inlet channel for upper level 3_ guides water into the pressure shaft 12.
where the
water, by acting of water column hydrostatic pressure, sprays via outlet
device 1 in
direction of axis 2 of the outlet device 1 on the isobaric paddles 4 of the
wheel 5, which
creates the torque on the wheel 5 embedded on the horizontal rotation axis 18
in the
equipment frame 10. The torque is transmitted from the wheel 5 via friction
transmission 7
to the generator 8. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water surface, which
is identical
with the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19 or is in lower
position and at the
same time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the upper level of the
water containing
drain device 6. The electric part 9 of the micro electric power plant ensures
the technical
parameters required for connection of generator 8 into the public electricity
network. The
floater regulator I I keeps, by regulating the outlet device 1, the constant
upper water level
3 disregarding the water supply in the inlet channel.
CA 02526925 2005-10-17
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 3 was used for the design of a
small hydro-
electric power plant of micro plant category, with the level difference of 2.0
m, flow rate
0.25 to 2.0 m3.s' and with installed capacity of 30 kW. The equipment in the
Fig.3
consists of upper water level inlet channel _3, pressure shaft 2 regulating
outlet device 1
regulator 11 of the outlet equipment 1 with opto-electronic water level
sensor, isobaric
paddles 4 fixed on the wheel 5 with vertical rotation axis 18. drain device 6,
friction
transmission 7, generator 8 electric part of the micro-electric power plant 9,
equipment
carrying frame L 0.
The inlet channel for upper level 3 guides water into the pressure shaft 12.
where the
water, by acting of water column hydrostatic pressure, sprays via outlet
device 1 in
direction of axis 2 of the outlet device 1 on the isobaric paddles 4 of the
wheel 5, which
creates the torque on the wheel 5_ embedded on the vertical rotation axis 18
in the
equipment frame 10. The torque is transmitted from the wheel 5 via gearbox 7
to the
generator 8. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water surface, which is
identical with
the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19 or is in lower position
and at the same
time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the upper level of the water
containing drain
device 6. The electric part 9 of the micro electric power plant ensures the
technical
parameters required for connection of generator 8 into the public electricity
network. The
regulator 11 of the outlet device 1 with opto-electronic water level sensor
keeps, by
regulating the outlet device 1, the constant upper water level 3 disregarding
the water
supply in the inlet channel.
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 4 was used for the design of a
small hydro-
electric power plant of micro plant category, with the level difference of
14.0 m, flow rate
0.035 to 0.28 m3.s ~ and with installed capacity of 37 kW. The equipment is
designed with
respect to the high water speed achieved in the outlet on the wheel so that
the wheel
revolutions are identical with required revolutions for generator and speed
change is
necessary. The equipment in the Fig. 4 consists of upper water level inlet
channel 3, water
slip 15, outlet device 1 isobaric paddles 4 fixed on the wheel 5 with
horizontal rotation
axis 18, drain device 6, generator 8, electric part of the micro-electric
power plant 9
carrying structure of channel 13. equipment carrying frame 10.
The inlet channel for upper level 3 guides water to the water slip 15. where
the water
energetic potential, by acting of gravity force, is changed into the kinetic
energy, which
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makes the water to spry via outlet device 1 in direction of axis 2_ of the
outlet device 1_ on
the isobaric paddles 4 of the wheel S which creates the torque on the wheel 5
embedded on
the horizontal rotation axis 18 in the equipment frame 10. The torque is
transmitted fmra
the wheel S_ directly to the generator 8_. The water from paddles 4 falls on
the water surface,
which is identical with the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19
or is in lower
position and at the same time it is parallel with the plane i9 limiting the
upper level of the
water containing drain device f. The electric part 9 of the micro electric
power plant
ensures the technical parameters required for connection of generator 8 into
the public
electricity network.
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 5 was used for the design of a
small hydro-
electric power plant with the level difference of 4.2 m, flow rate 0.375 to
12.0 m3.s 1 and
with installed capacity of 380 kW. The equipment in Fig. 5 consists of the
flow heaving
dam to upper level 3 four outlet equipments 1 outlet equipment regulator 11
with opto-
electronic water level sensor, four wheels 5_ with fixed isobaric paddles _4
and with
horizontal rotation axis 18. drain device 6 four friction transmissions ~ four
gearboxes
7b four generators 8, electric part of the micro-electric power plant 9 and of
equipment
carrying frame 10
The hydrostatic pressure of the water column, created by heaving the upper
water
level 3 sprays the water via outlet devices 1 in the direction of axis 2 of
the outlet devices
1 on the isobaric paddles 4_ of the wheels 5 which creates the torque on the
wheels ~
embedded on the horizontal rotation axis 18 in the equipment carrying frame
10. The
torque is transmitted from the wheels _5 via friction transmission 7a and
gearboxes 7b to the
generators 8_. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water surface, which is
identical with
the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19 or is in lower position
and at the same
time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the upper level of the water
containing drain
device 6. The electric part 9 of the micro electric power plant ensures the
technical
parameters required for connection of generators 8 into the public electricity
network. The
regulator 11 of the outlet devices I with opto-electronic water level sensor
keeps, by
regulating the outlet devices 1, the constant upper water level 3 disregarding
the water
supply to the flow heaving dam.
CA 02526925 2005-10-17
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 6 was used for the design of a
small hydro-
electric power plant on the weir with the level difference of 3.1 m, flow rate
0.06 to 0.5
m~.s'~ and with installed capacity of 11 kW. The equipment in the Fig. 4
consists of the
inlet water slip ,15. outlet device 1_, isobaric paddles 4 fixed on the wheel
~ with vertical
rotation axis 18. drain device 6, gearbox 7 generator 8_, electric part of the
micro-electric
power plant 9 and of equipment carrying frame 10.
The weir heaves the upper water level 3 and water runs over the weir upper
edge
where the hydro-energetic potential of water falling in the water slip 15 is
changed , by
acting of gravity force, into the kinetic energy, which makes the water to
spry via outlet
device 1 in the direction of axis 2 of the outlet device 1 on the isobaric
paddles 4 of the
wheel ~,, which creates the torque on the wheel 5_ embedded on the vertical
rotation axis 18
in the equipment carrying frame 10. The torque is transmitted from the wheel 5
via
gearbox 7 to the generator 8. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water
surface, which is
identical with the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19 or is in
lower position and
at the same time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the upper level of
the water
containing drain device 6. The electric part 9 of the micro electric power
plant ensures the
technical parameters required for connection of generator 8 into the public
electricity
network.
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 7 was used for the design of
irrigation
equipment on the flowing with level dif~'erence of 2.2 m, flow rate 2.2 m3.s
~, with
discharge height of 30 m and capacity of 100 ltrs/s. The equipment in fig. 7
consists of
pressure shaft 12, outlet device 1 with manual regulator 11 of outlet device 1
isobaric
paddles 4 fixed on wheel 5 with horizontal rotation axis 1~, drain device 6
water
centrifugal pump 16 with gearbox 7 suction pipe with strainer 17, discharge
pipe 14.
equipment carrying frame 10.
The flowing heaves upper water Ievel 3, connected with the pressure shaft 12.
where
the water, by acting of water column hydrostatic pressure, sprays via outlet
device 1 in
direction of axis 2 of the outlet device 1 on the isobaric paddles 4 of the
wheel 5 which
creates the torque on the wheel 5_ embedded on the horizontal rotation axis 18
in the
equipment canying frame 10. The torque is transmitted via gearbox 7 from the
wheel 5 on
the centrifugal water pump 6 which sucks water from the heaved water level
space via
suction pipe with strainer 17 and discharges it via discharge pipe 14 into the
agricultural
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irrigation system. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water surface, which
is identical
with the plane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19 or is in lower
position and at the
same time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the upper level of the
water containing
drain device 6. The equipment output is controlled by manual regulator 11 of
the outlet .
device 1.
The proposed technical solution in the Fig. 8 was used for the design of a
micro
hydro-electric power plant on the existing weir with the level difference of
3.0 m, flow
rate 0.125 to 1.0 m3.s't and with installed capacity of 22.5 kW. The equipment
in the Fig.
8 consists of the water stream guide functioning as the outlet device 1
isobaric paddles 4
fixed on the wheel 5 with horizontal rotation axis 18, drain device 6 belt
transmission 7
generator 8, electric part of the micro-electric power plant 9 and of the
movable equipment
carrying frame 10.
The weir heaves the upper water level 3 and water runs over the weir upper
edge
where the falling water hydro-energetic potential is changed into the kinetic
energy, which
makes the water to spry via water stream guide, fulfilling the function of
outlet device 1 in
the direction of axis 2 of the outlet device 1 on the isobaric paddles 4 of
the wheel 5, which
creates the torque on the wheel 5 embedded on the horizontal rotation axis 18
in the
movable equipment carrying frame 10. The torque is transmitted from the wheel
5 via belt
transmission 7 to the generator 8. The water from paddles 4 falls on the water
surface,
which is identical with the pkane 21 and this is identical with the plane 19
or is in lower
position and at the same time it is parallel with the plane 19 limiting the
upper level of the
water containing drain device 6. The electric part 9 of the micro electric
power plant
ensures the technical parameters required for connection of generator 8 into
the public
electricity network. The mechanical linkage of the movable equipment carrying
frame 10
with the damper ensures their mutual position so that the falling water is
directed into the
stream guide, fulfilling the function of outlet device 1 no matter which is
the damper
position.
Industrial Utility
The proposed technical solution, water wheel motor, can be used for mechanical
drive
of equipments on the site where the hydro-energetic potential, in the range of
required
operation conditions, is available.
