US3724966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic machine crown aeration
Assignee: Library and Archives Canada
•
Filing: 1971-06-14
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An aerated turbo-machine such as a Francis turbine utilizes a seal water receiving reservoir to separate air entrained with the seal water, for re-use in machine aeration.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sproule
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:50
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B11/00; F03B11/002; F03B11/006; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
The method of maintaining a pressure differential between adjacent shroud spaces within a rotary turbohydraulic machine having a shrouded runner rotatably mounted within a stationary casing, the runner having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, a plurality of blades extending from at least one shroud to receive working liquid therethrough; including the steps of limiting the quantity of non-working liquid flowing from the runner high pressure side towards the low pressure side, to provide a pressure drop in the flow path of non-working liquid; providing an annular gas-liquid interface between an inner gas containing zone and an outer liquid containing zone coaxial therewith and located radially outwardly relative to the machine axis; transferring at least a portion of the limited liquid flow from the zone of said interface, having a portion of gas entrained therewith to a gas separation zone; reducing the velocity of flow of the transferred liquid and gas mixture to promote separation of entrained gas from the liquid; exhausting the transferred liquid, and transferring the separated gas to a gas containing non-working zone to assist in the exclusion of liquid therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
The method of maintaining a pressure differential between adjacent shroud spaces within a rotary turbohydraulic machine having a shrouded runner rotatably mounted within a stationary casing, the runner having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, a plurality of blades extending from at least one shroud to receive working liquid therethrough; including the steps of limiting the quantity of non-working liquid flowing from the runner high pressure side towards the low pressure side, to provide a pressure drop in the flow path of non-working liquid; providing an annular gas-liquid interface between an inner gas containing zone and an outer liquid containing zone coaxial therewith and located radially outwardly relative to the machine axis; transferring at least a portion of the limited liquid flow from the zone of said interface, having a portion of gas entrained therewith to a gas separation zone; reducing the velocity of flow of the transferred liquid and gas mixture to promote separation of entrained gas from the liquid; exhausting the transferred liquid, and transferring the separated gas to a gas containing non-working zone to assist in the exclusion of liquid therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said entrained gas is separated from said liquid portion at a level gas-liquid interface under influence of gravity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said portion of liquid flow is transferred outwardly, relative to the axis of said machine, said separated gas being subsequently transferred radially inwardly of said gas-liquid interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said portion of liquid flow is transferred inwardly relative to the axis of said machine, said separated gas being liberated within a second inner aeration zone operating at a pressure lower than a first outer aeration zone bounded by a said annular gas-liquid interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
A hydraulic machine having a stationary casing; a runner rotatably mounted therein having a plurality of blades extending from a crown shroud to form a working space for the passage of working liquid therethrough, said shroud being spaced from said casing to form non-working coaxial annular spaces therewith; means to limit the flow of working liquid to a said non-working space; means to admit pressurized gas to a non-working space in liquid excluding relation therein; liquid flow guide means to promote the formation of a stable annular gas-liquid interface bounding a gas containing zone of said non-working space; liquid flow transfer means to receive liquid having gas entrained therewith; a closed reservoir connected thereto to receive liquid having gas entrained therewith, to provide gravity separation of entrained gas from the liquid; liquid drain means connecting with the reservoir to limit the level therein, and gas transfer means connecting the closed reservoir with a non-working gas containing zone to conduct separated gas thereto, whereby the utilization of gas in the exclusion of liquid from the non-working zone is promoted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
178 words
A hydraulic machine having a stationary casing; a runner rotatably mounted therein having a plurality of blades extending from a crown shroud to form a working space for the passage of working liquid therethrough, said shroud being spaced from said casing to form non-working coaxial annular spaces therewith; means to limit the flow of working liquid to a said non-working space; means to admit pressurized gas to a non-working space in liquid excluding relation therein; liquid flow guide means to promote the formation of a stable annular gas-liquid interface bounding a gas containing zone of said non-working space; liquid flow transfer means to receive liquid having gas entrained therewith; a closed reservoir connected thereto to receive liquid having gas entrained therewith, to provide gravity separation of entrained gas from the liquid; liquid drain means connecting with the reservoir to limit the level therein, and gas transfer means connecting the closed reservoir with a non-working gas containing zone to conduct separated gas thereto, whereby the utilization of gas in the exclusion of liquid from the non-working zone is promoted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A hydraulic machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said closed reservoir is located outwardly of said liquid transfer means and said gas transfer means extends inwardly from the reservoir, relative to the main axis of the machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hydraulic machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said closed reservoir is located inwardly of said liquid transfer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A hydraulic machine as claimed in claim 7 having a radially outer and a radially inner said gas space, said means to limit flow including a liquid filled seal separating said outer and said inner gas spaces, said reservoir being located inwardly therefrom to receive seal liquid in substantially segregated relation from said inner gas space, said gas transfer means connecting a space over said reservoir with said inner gas space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A hydraulic machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said flow limit means comprises an annular edge of a said shroud positioned in close facing relation with a portion of said casing to provide limited annular access to a said non-working space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |