Method and apparatus for control of a turbine generator
First Claim
1. In combination with a water system in which water flows from a supply at relatively high pressure to a water receiving system at relatively low pressure, a controlled power generating system comprisinga turbine connected in a flow path between said supply and receiving system,an electrical generator connected to be driven by said turbine,a control valve operable between closed and open positions for controlling flow through said turbine,contactor means operable between closed and open conditions for coupling said generator to a power circuit,start means for operating said contactor means to closed condition and for initiating operation of said control valve to open position, andmeans responsive to said valve for disabling said start means when said control valve is in said open position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A turbine generator system for use in a flow line from a water supply to a water usage, treatment or storage system employs a remotely controlled valve for control of the flow of water through the turbine. The system is arranged to shut down upon occurrence of under or over voltage at the generator or loss of pressure at the turbine, disconnecting the generator from the utility line and closing the control valve to stop flow through the turbine. Should failure of the utility line power decrease the generator load to increase turbine speed, restart is prevented until the control valve has closed to stop the turbine. A time delay in the control panel shuts down the system if the control valve does not open within a selected time interval after start up. To accomodate daily variation of flow rate to a water distribution and usage system, a first turbine generator and control valve have a capacity to handle a minimum flow rate and a second turbine generator and control valve, in parallel with the first, automatically come into operation when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the first turbine generator and control valve.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. In combination with a water system in which water flows from a supply at relatively high pressure to a water receiving system at relatively low pressure, a controlled power generating system comprising
a turbine connected in a flow path between said supply and receiving system, an electrical generator connected to be driven by said turbine, a control valve operable between closed and open positions for controlling flow through said turbine, contactor means operable between closed and open conditions for coupling said generator to a power circuit, start means for operating said contactor means to closed condition and for initiating operation of said control valve to open position, and means responsive to said valve for disabling said start means when said control valve is in said open position.
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11. A water turbine generating system comprising,
a turbine having an input connected to a source of water supply and an output connected to a distribution system, a generator connected to be driven by the turbine, a set of generator contactors for connecting the generator to an electrical load, a control valve connected in the flow path of said turbine to control flow of water through the turbine, and, control means for operating the control valve and the contactors, said control means comprising a start circuit having a start relay coil (32) and a plurality of contacts connected to be operated thereby, the start circuit including a valve position switch (44) for energizing said start relay coil, a switch operator on said control valve for driving said valve switch to open and closed positions respectively as the valve moves to open and closed positions, a contactor control relay having a relay coil (36) and a plurality of relay contacts connected to be operated thereby, one of said start relay coil contacts (32-3) being connected in circuit with said control relay coil, a control circuit, including a first one of said control relay contacts (36-1) and including said valve switch in open position for energizing said control relay coil (36) and for maintaining energization thereof, a maintain circuit independent of said valve position switch and including a second set of said start relay coil contacts (32-2) for maintaining energization of said start relay coil (32), a pilot valve solenoid (60) connected in said maintain circuit for opening said control valve, and a motor contactor circuit having one of said control relay coil contacts (36-2) connected therein and including a generator contactor coil (34) for operating said generator contactors (34-2, 34-3, 34-4) to connect the generator to a user electrical system.
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15. The method of generating electricity comprising the steps of
connecting a turbine in the flow path of water flowing from a water supply to a water user system, connecting a generator to be driven by the turbine, connecting the generator to a power circuit, connecting a control valve to control flow of water through the turbine, connecting a relief valve to flow water past the turbine when water pressure exceeds a predetermined value, starting turbine and generator operation by initiating opening of the control valve and connecting the generator to an electrical load, and preventing starting of said turbine and generator and disabling said connection of said generator and power circuit when said control valve is open.
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23. In combination with a water system in which water flows from a water supply at relatively high pressure to a water receiving system at relatively low pressure, a controlled power generating system comprising
a first turbine generator and a first control valve connected in a flow path between said supply and a junction point connected to feed said receiving system, said turbine generator being sized for handling a predetermined minimum flow rate at optimum efficiency, a bypass valve connected in a second flow path between said water supply and said junction point, a second turbine generator and a second control valve connected in a third flow path parallel with said first and second paths between said water supply and said junction point, a flow meter connected to sense flow to said water receiving system at a point downstream of said junction point, said flow meter including means for generating a start signal in response to measured flow that exceeds said predetermined minimum by a first amount, means (356a) responsive to said start signal for opening said second control valve and starting operation of said second turbine generator, a first control circuit for operating said first turbine generator and control valve, a second control circuit for operating said second turbine generator and control valve, and first and second contactor means operable between closed and open conditions for respectively coupling said first and second generators to a power circuit, each said control circuit including start circuit means for operating the corresponding contactor means to closed condition and for initiating operation of the corresponding control valve to open position, and each said control circuit including means responsive to its corresponding valve for disabling the start circuit means when the control valve is in its open position, said means (356a) responsive to the start signal comprising means for initiating operation of said start circuit means of said second control circuit.
Specification