Controllable water turbine motor for irrigation machine

Claim 2

In a self-propelled irrigation machine having a pressured water inlet and a discharge means, that improvement comprising a water powered turbine assembly incorporated into the flow path between the water inlet and discharge means for powering the machine, said turbine assembly including a tubular housing defining the flow path from the inlet to the discharge means, a shaft rotatably disposed in the housing and including one end extending outwardly of the housing for powering the machine, turbine means fixed to the shaft for rotating the shaft in response to axial flow of water in the flow path, and means controlling the axial flow of water in relation to the turbine means thereby controlling the output of said shaft and enabling said shaft to be driven at a substantially constant speed by utilizing only a portion of the power capable of being produced by maximum water flow thereby enabling constant output of the shaft even if water flow is reduced, said means controllng water flow including means within said housing enabling a controlled portion of the water in the flow path to flow radially outwardly of the periphery of the turbine means and then axially in The housing.

Claim 3

In a self-propelled irrigation machine having a pressured water inlet and a discharge means, that improvement comprising a water powered turbine assembly incorporated into the flow path between the water inlet and discharge means for powering the machine, said turbine assembly including a tubular housing defining the flow path from the inlet to the discharge means, a shaft rotatably disposed in the housing and including one end extending outwardly of the housing for powering the machine, turbine means fixed to the shaft for rotating the shaft in response to axial flow of water in the flow path, and means controlling the flow of water in relation to the turbine means thereby controlling the output of said shaft and enabling said shaft to be driven at a substantially constant speed by utilizing only a portion of the power capable of being produced by maximum water flow thereby enabling constant output of the shaft even if water flow is reduced, said means controlling the water flow including a tubular casing disposed concentrically in the housing and in spaced relation thereto, said tubular casing closely receiving said turbine means, said turbine means including a pair of longitudinally spaced turbines rigid with the shaft with the peripheries of the turbines being disposed adjacent the interior of the casing, said casing including escape ports associated therewith to permit water to flow outwardly from the interior of the casing to the space between the casing and the housing, and means controlling the rate of flow through the ports thereby controlling the water flow from the inlet through the casing and turbines.

Claim 4

In a self-propelled irrigation machine having a pressured water inlet and a discharge means, that improvement comprising a water powered turbine assembly incorporated into the flow path between the water inlet and discharge means for powering the machine, said turbine assembly including a tubular housing defining the flow path from the inlet to the discharge means, a shaft rotatably disposed in the housing and including one end extending outwardly of the housing for powering the machine, turbine means fixed to the shaft for rotating the shaft in response to axial flow of water in the flow path, and means controlling the flow of water in relation to the turbine means thereby controlling the output of said shaft and enabling said shaft to be driven at a substantially constant speed by utilizing only a portion of the power capable of being produced by maximum water flow thereby enabling constant output of the shaft even if water flow is reduced, said means controlling the water flow including a tubular casing disposed concentrically in the housing and in spaced relation thereto, said tubular casing closely receiving said turbine means, said turbine means including a pair of longitudinally spaced turbines rigid with the shaft with the peripheries of the turbines being disposed adjacent the interior of the casing, said casing including escape ports associated therewith to permit water to flow outwardly from the interior of the casing to the space between the casing and the housing, and means controlling the rate of flow through the ports thereby controlling the water flow from the inlet through the casing and turbines.

Claim 5

The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means controlling flow of water through the ports includes a flexible band having one end anchored to the casing with the remainder of the band being selectively spaced away from the exterior of the casing or movable to a position closely adjacent the exterior of the casing for controlling flow of water through the ports, and means tightening and releasing said band.

Claim 6

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for tightening and releasing the band includes a rotatable shaft having the other end of the band attached thereto, and a control rod connected with the shaft for oscillating the shaft for tightening and releasing the band.

Claim 7

The structure as defined in claim 2 together with a pair of water directors mounted rigidly within said casing on the upstream side of said turbines, each of said water directors including a plurality of spiral vanes thereon, said water directors journalling said shaft and directing the water into an angular flow path, each of said turbines including a plurality of spiral vanes thereon spiraled oppositely to the vanes on the water directors for utilizing the angular displacement of the water caused by the directors to impart rotation to the turbines and shaft.

Claim 8

The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said means controlling flow of water through the ports includes a flexible band having one end anchored to the casing with the remainder of the band being selectively spaced away from the exterior of the casing or movable to a position closely adjacent the exterior of the casing for controlling flow of water through the ports, and means tightening and releasing said band.

Claim 9

The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for tightening and releasing the band includes a rotatable shaft having the other end of the band attached thereto, and a control rod connected with the shaft for oscillating the shaft for tightening and releasing the band.

Claim 10

The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said casing includes a plurality of radially projecting bosses thereon, fastening means extending through the housing into engagement with the bosses on the casing thereby removably supporting the casing within the housing to enable easy removal thereof, said water directors being fixedly secured to the tubular casing by set screws engaging thE outer periphery of the vanes thereby detachably connecting the water directors to the tubular casing and enabling removal of the shaft, turbines and water directors from the casing thereby facilitating assembly and disassembly of the turbine assembly.

Claim 11

A turbine motor comprising a tubular casing defining an axial flow path for fluid, a shaft supported within said casing, a turbine means mounted on said shaft and within said casing to impart rotation to said shaft upon axial flow of fluid in the casing, and means associated with said casing upstream from the turbine means to discharge a controlled proportion of fluid from the casing without engagement with the turbine means thereby controlling the output characteristics of the turbine means and shaft, said turbine means including a pair of turbines mounted on the shaft in longitudinally spaced relation, a fluid director mounted rigidly within the casing upstream of each turbine to impart angular movement to the fluid passing axially therethrough, said means discharging fluid from the casing including escape port means in said casing and generally aligned with a respective fluid director for lateral discharge of fluid from the casing, and controllable means selectively and adjustably opening and closing said port means for varying the flow of fluid therethrough and controlling the output characteristics of the turbines.

Claim 12

A turbine motor comprising a tubular casing defining an axial flow path for fluid, a shaft supported within said casing, a turbine means mounted on said shaft and within said casing to impart rotation to said shaft upon axial flow of fluid in the casing, and means associated with said casing upstream from the turbine means to discharge a controlled proportion of fluid from the casing without engagement with the turbine means thereby controlling the output characteristics of the turbine means and shaft, said turbine means including a pair of turbines mounted on the shaft in longitudinally spaced relation, a fluid director mounted rigidly within the casing upstream of each turbine to impart angular movement to the fluid passing axially therethrough, said means discharging fluid from the casing including escape port means in said casing and generally aligned with a respective fluid director for lateral discharge of fluid from the casing, and controllable means selectively and adjustably opening and closing said port means for varying the flow of fluid therethrough and controlling the output characteristics of the turbines.

Claim 13

The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said controllable means includes a peripheral band aligned with the port means, and means moving said band radially in relation to said port means for controlling flow therethrough.