Device and method for the generation of electrical energy

• US 7,372,172 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VA TECH Hydro GmbH (Andritz AG)
• Original Assignee: VA TECH Hydro GmbH (Andritz AG)
• Inventors: Winkler, Stefan, Gillmeier, Friedrich, Hell, Johann, Hess, Günther
• Primary Examiner(s): GONZALEZ, JULIO C
• Application Number:
  US10/859,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20040219015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42, 290/43, 290/53, 290/54
• US Class Current: 290/43
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/08 Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor , e.g. diffusors bulb groups F03B13/105
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/105 Bulb groups
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy

Abstract

Arrangement for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, wherein the arrangement includes a plurality of turbine generator units. At least some of the plurality of generator units are arranged at least one of one above another and one beside another. At least some of the plurality of generator units are connected to one another to form at least one module. At least one of the plurality of generator units includes a synchronous generator having permanent magnetic poles for excitation. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. An arrangement of equipment for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, the arrangement comprising:

a plurality of turbine generator units arranged in at least one module;

each of the plurality of turbine generator units in the at least one module being connected to one another, the turbine generator units are in a fixed arrangement in the at least one module, and each unit is adjacent at least one of the other of the turbine generator units in the at least one module;

at least one of the turbine generator units being arranged above another of the turbine generator units in the at least one module, and at least one turbine generator unit arranged beside another of the turbine generator units in the at least one module;

the at least one module being structured and arranged to be movable as a unit;

at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units of the at least one module comprising a synchronous generator having permanent magnetic poles for excitation, wherein the permanent magnetic poles are arranged on a periphery of a rotor of the at least one turbine generator units, and

a stator of the synchronous generator is adjacent the perihery of the rotor and mounted to a conical inlet pipe for the turbine generator unit with the permanent magnetic poles, wherein the inlet pipe has an inlet area extending radially beyond an outer surface of the synchronous generator.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flowing medium is water.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnetic poles are arranged on a stator of the synchronous generator.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the synchronous generator is structured and arranged to produce an electrical output of between approximately 100 kW and approximately 1000 kW.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the electrical output is between approximately 200 kW and approximately 700 kW.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of turbine generator units is between approximately 5 and approximately 500 turbine generator units.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the plurality of turbine generator units is between approximately 50 and approximately 250 turbine generator units.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of turbine generator units are connectable to a raising and lowering device.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is connectable to a raising and lowering device.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units is adapted to be at least partly be cooled by the flowing medium.

12. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units is a tubular turbine generator unit.

13. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of turbine generator units are supported on at least one of associated frames and frame elements.

14. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is supported on at least one of a frame and a frame element.

15. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprises a turbine rotor that is supported on at least one of a frame and a frame element.

16. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprises a substantially cylindrical turbine housing that is supported on at least one of a frame and a frame element.

17. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprises guide vanes which support a turbine at a position upstream of a flow direction.

18. The arrangement of claim 17, wherein the guide vanes connect a turbine housing of the turbine to an inlet pipe.

19. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of turbine generator units comprise an intake pipe through which the flowing medium flows.

20. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein a turbine of at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprises an annular rotor, a stator, and rotatably mounted turbine blades having blade tips attached to the annular rotor.

21. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein outer ends of the turbine blades are connected by a force fit connection to the annular rotor.

22. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein the stator is concentrically arranged around the rotor and is non-rotatably mounted.

23. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one turbine of the at least one module comprises an annular rotor, a stator, and rotatably mounted turbine blades, wherein outer ends of the turbine blades are connected by a force fit connection to the annular rotor, and wherein the stator is concentrically arranged around the rotor and is non-rotatably mounted.

24. The arrangement of claim 23, wherein the at least one turbine generator unit of the at least one module comprises an annular gap between the annular rotor and the stator, whereby the annular gap allows the flowing medium to flow therethrough.

25. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein stators of at least some of the plurality of turbine generator units are arranged adjacent one another and at least one of one above another and one beside another.

26. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising inlet pipes connected to each of the plurality of turbine generator units, wherein each inlet pipe directs flowing medium to each turbine generator unit.

27. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein the inlet pipes of adjacent turbine generator units are arranged at least one of immediately beside one another and one above another.

28. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein at least one of the inlet pipes comprises a housing which is anchored to a stator.

29. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein at least one of the inlet pipes comprises a housing which fastened to a generator housing, and wherein the generator housing houses a stator.

30. The arrangement of claim 26, further comprising guide vanes connecting a turbine to at least one of the inlet pipes, wherein the guide vanes support the turbine and a rotor of a generator.

31. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an annular gap arranged between a rotor and a stator of the synchronous generator.

32. The arrangement of claim 31, wherein the annular gap is structured and arranged to allow the flowing medium to flow through the annular space.

33. The arrangement of claim 32, wherein the annular gap is arranged on both sides of the rotor.

34. The arrangement of claim 31, wherein the annular gap comprises a sealed off space, whereby the flowing medium flowing through a turbine is prevented from entering the annular space.

35. The arrangement of claim 31, wherein the stator is electrically insulated from the flowing medium.

36. The arrangement of claim 31, further comprising an annular gap between the rotor and the stator, wherein the annular space is filled with one of a gas and air.

37. The arrangement of claim 31, further comprising a seal arranged to provide sealing for the rotor.

38. The arrangement of claim 31, further comprising a seal arranged to provide sealing for the stator.

39. The arrangement of claim 31, further comprising a seal fixed to the rotor.

40. The arrangement of claim 31, further comprising a seal fixed to the stator.

41. The arrangement of claim 31, wherein the turbine generator unit that comprises the synchronous generator includes a turbine which is structured and arranged to rotate in opposite directions while generating power.

42. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the turbine generator unit that comprises the synchronous generator includes at least one of turbine blades with adjustable alignment and guide vanes which can adjust flow of the flowing medium.

44. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of turbine generator units of the at least one module comprises a synchronous generator having permanent magnetic poles for excitation.

3. An arrangement of equipment for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, the arrangement comprising:

a plurity of trubine generator units arranged in at least one module;

each of the plurality of turbine generator units in the at least one module being connected to one another, the turbine generator units are in a fixed arrangement in the at least one module, and each unit is adjacent at least one of the other of the turbine generator units in the at least one module;

at least one of the turbine generator units being arranged above another of the turbine generator units in the at least one module, and at least one turbine generator unit arranged beside another of the turbine generator units in the at least one module;

the at least one module being structured and arranged to be movable as a unit; and

at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units of the at least one module comprising a synchrounous generator having permanent magnetic poles for excitation,

wherein the permanent magnetic poles are arranged on a rotor of the synchronous generator, wherein the turbine generator unit with the permanent magnetic poles is arranged on a periphery of the rotor and

a stator of the synchronous generator is adjacent the periphery of the rotor and mounted to a conical inlet pipe for the turbine generator unit with the permanent magnetic poles, wherein the inlet pipe has an inlet area extending radially beyond an outer surface of the synchronous generator.

43. An arrangement for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, the arrangement comprising:

a plurality of turbine generator units;

the plurality of turbine generator units in a fixed arrangement in a module in which each unit is adjacent at least one of the other of the turbine generator units and at least one unit is directly above another unit;

at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprising a rotor including turbine blades, an annular non-rotatably mounted stator, and a conical inlet pipe having an inlet opening;

the at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units comprising a synchronous generator having magnetic poles for excitation, wherein the magnetic poles are arranged on a periphery of the rotor and the stator is adjacent the periphery of the rotor wherein the stator is mounted to an external portion of the conical inlet pipe;

the at least one of the plurality of turbine generator units connected to the conical inlet pipe, wherein the conical inlet pipe extends radially outward beyond a maximum outer surface of the synchronous generator, and

the turbine blades rotate within the conical inlet pipe.

45. The arrangement of claim 43 wherein the rotor includes an annular ring attached to tips of the turbine blades and having an outer surface supporting permanent magnets.

46. The arrangement of claim 43 further comprising an rotating axial shaft supporting the rotor, wherein the axial shaft is supported by guide vanes attached to the conical inlet.

47. The arrangement of claim 43 further comprising an axial rotating shaft supporting the rotor, a stationary housing supporting the rotor and inlet guide vanes extending between the housing and the conical inlet pipe.

48. The arrangement of claim 43 wherein the magnetic poles are permanent magnetic poles.

49. An arrangement for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, the arrangement comprising:

a plurality of turbine generator units mounted in a module wherein the units are in a fixed arrangement in which each unit is adjacent at least one other unit and at least one unit is directly above another unit, and

each of the turbine generator units including a rotor with at least one turbine blade, a synchronous generator having magnetic poles for excitation in an annular stator arranged around a periphery of the rotor, and a conical inlet pipe having an inlet opening, wherein the at least one turbine blade rotates within the conical inlet pipe and the conical inlet pipe extends radially outward beyond a maximum outer surface of the synchronous generator and the stator is mounted to an external portion of the conical inlet pipe.