Hydro turbine generator
First Claim
1. A hydroelectric turbine generator comprising:
- a) an inlet;
b) a plurality of wicket gates;
c) a wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism;
d) a plurality of runner blades;
e) a runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism;
f) a means for converting torque and angular velocity to a power output;
g) a control loop capable of (i) calculating a difference between a target water source height and an actual water source height, and (ii) calculating a wicket gate angle adjustment and a runner blade pitch adjustment;
h) a power optimization algorithm capable of optimizing peak operational efficiency based on a runner blade angle and the power output;
i) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the control loop, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the wicket gate angle; and
(j) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the power optimization algorithm, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism to adjust the runner blade pitch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hydroelectric turbine generator and control system is provided that optimizes the maximum possible power output at all times by strictly monitoring power output from the generator unit and modulating the wicket gate angle and the runner blade pitch independently of one another. The hydroelectric turbine generator includes a means for separately controlling wicket gate angle and runner blade pitch. The wicket gate angle control mechanism controls the flow into the system, pre conditions flow for maximum power and maintains reservoir level. The runner blade pitch control mechanism continuously monitors the system power output based on actual power produced, and adjusts system parameters in order to achieve maximum power output.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hydroelectric turbine generator comprising:
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a) an inlet; b) a plurality of wicket gates; c) a wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism; d) a plurality of runner blades; e) a runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism; f) a means for converting torque and angular velocity to a power output; g) a control loop capable of (i) calculating a difference between a target water source height and an actual water source height, and (ii) calculating a wicket gate angle adjustment and a runner blade pitch adjustment; h) a power optimization algorithm capable of optimizing peak operational efficiency based on a runner blade angle and the power output; i) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the control loop, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the wicket gate angle; and (j) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the power optimization algorithm, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism to adjust the runner blade pitch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A power generation system comprising a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators wherein each hydroelectric turbine generator comprises:
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a) an inlet; b) a plurality of wicket gates; c) a wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism; d) a plurality of runner blades; e) a runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism; f) a means for converting torque and angular velocity to a power output; g) a control loop capable of (i) calculating a difference between a target water source height and an actual water source height, and (ii) calculating a wicket gate angle adjustment and a runner blade pitch adjustment; h) a power optimization algorithm capable of optimizing peak operational efficiency based on a runner blade angle and the power output; i) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the control loop, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the wicket gate angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the wicket gate angle; (j) an electronic means capable of (i) an electronic process comprising storing and executing the power optimization algorithm, and (ii) a mechanical process comprising instructing the runner blade pitch adjustment mechanism to adjust the runner blade pitch; and (k) an integrated self-contained computer based control module wherein at least one integrated self-contained computer based control module is in communication with at least one other integrated self-contained computer based control module.
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Specification