Technical Field

The present invention relates to runner, hydraulic turbine, hydraulic turbine module and turbine system for generating electricity used in low-head hydropower plants with high speed which are convenient for building terraced irrigation and hydropower plants especially useful for offshore wave and tidal power plants to ensure social and maritime security.

Background Art

Currently, there is disclosed the solutions and techonology to generate electricity from low head to utilize the water energy. Generating electricity from sea wave energy is disclosed but it has not been applied. The details are provided as below.

Patents for Inventions-Utility Solutions No.1522 discloses the hydraulic turbine blades with a large number of blades, small blade thickness, small gaps between blades, small blade angles and both ends of blades with blade ring used for low head turbines.

The Kaplan turbine with adjustable blades parallel to the water flows, and 3 to 4 turbine runner blades, is called a bulb turbine with the runner diameter of 500cm, the water head of 8m, the speed of 88 rpm, two engine flow rate of 350m ³ /s and output of 29MW/hr, installed in Hoa Phil commune, Srepok river, Daklak province. The disadvantage of this type of turbines is that the whole generator has to be in the river resulting in difficulties in turbine inspections and repairs while the water can easily come into the turbines leading to device failures, waste of water and slow speed. Complex structure and high cost are also weak points of this turbine. The Kaplan turbine with fixed blades is vertically oriented and has 4 to 6 turbine runner blades, many water directing blades mounted around the turbine runner, a draft tube connected to the lower part of the turbine runner, the runner diameter of 140cm, the water head of 3m, the speed of 250 rpm, the flow rate of 10m ³ /s and the output of 200 kw/hr. This turbine is installed in Dau Tieng lake, Tay Ninh province. The disadvantage of this type of turbines is that the usage of a waterstop or a sealing gasket structure for the turbine shaft create the friction that reduces the speed but the water still leaks at the turbine shaft. The turbine blades vary in a wide range, so a draft tube is required to prevent impulses on the lower side. There are only few gaps for water exiting, however, each gap is large leading to a waste of water. The large blades mean the large contact areas causing the large friction force resulting in reduced speed. Its complex structure raises the construction cost.

Currently, there is disclosed the solutions and techonology to generate electricity from sea waves, namely in European Patent Application No. EP2053237 Al, the turbine system for generating electricity from sea waves was disclosed. This system comprises the turbines with helical shafts deviated from the longitudinal axis of the turbine body and supported on the bearer. According to another embodiment, this turbine system also containes the third slope which is connected consecutively to the second slope which passes through the cap of the first turbine and supported at its inside end and floatedly supported to the flat surface. However, this solution is quite complex and the cost of construction is high.

Summary of Invention

Due to the limitations of the above solutions, this invention aims to provide the versatile green hydraulic turbine used in the hydropower plants with low head and high speed, which are convenient for building terraced irrigation and hydropower plants and convenient for building offshore plants for generating electricity from tidal and sea waves, overcoming the aboves disadvantages.

In an aspect (1) according to the present invention, the invention provides the runner of the hydraulic turbine comprising:

a hub is of the hollow cylindrical shape, in which an assembly structure is mounted to the turbine shaft;

the turbine blades are positioned along the radial direction to the hub, and are equally spaced along the circumference of the hub; and

the blade ring is fixed to the turbine blade ends in order to improve the firmness of the turbine blades; and

the casing is of the hollow cylindrical shape, used to cover the turbine blade ring so that the turbine blades can relatively rotate relatively to this casing,

the water directing blades are provided inside this casing and equally spaced along the circumference; therefore, when the water exits from the gaps between the adjacent runner blades, it forms water jets hitting the blades in the direction that forms the impulses back to the runner.

In an aspect (2) according to the present invention, the runner in an aspect (1), wherein the assembly structure between the runner hub and the turbine shaft is made with the flange - bolt connection.

In an aspect (3) according to the present invention, the runner in an aspect (1) or (2), wherein the runner comprises the blades provided at the lower end of and inside the hub for water intake downwards to the bottom

In an aspect (4) according to the present invention, the runner in an aspect (1), the gaps for water exiting between the adjacent turbine blades have the width in the range of 30mm to 70mm. In an aspect (5) according to the present invention, the invention provides that the hydraulic turbine, comprising:

the rotating shaft in the vertical state when operating includes the upper shaft part and the lower shaft part with the assembly structures;

the runner in any one of aspects from (1) to (4) according to the present invention is positioned to the lower end of the lower shaft part with the assembly structure of the runner and the assembly structure of the lower shaft part;

the lower axle bearing module is assembled with the upper end of the lower shaft part;

the upper axle bearing module is assembled with the upper end of the upper shaft part;

the lower part of the turbine housing covers the lower shaft part; and the water inlet gate is provided on the lower part of turbine housing to allow water to enter and make impulses on the runner, and then come through the gaps between the turbine blades and exit out of the turbine.

In an aspect (6) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (5), inside the rotating shaft of the turbine is a hollow shaft

In an aspect (7) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (5), wherein the runner and the turbine shaft are assembled with the flange - bolt connection comprising

the flange is provided on the lower end of the turbine shaft with screw holes; the flange is provided inside the runner hub and connected to the flange of the turbine shaft with bolts.

In an aspect (8) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (5) or (6), wherein the upper end of the runner hub is partially positioned inside the lower end of shaft cover. In an aspect (9) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (8), wherein the upper shaft part has the outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the lower shaft part of turbine.

In an aspect (10) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (9), wherein turbine includes the upper part of the turbine housing covering the upper shaft part of turbine; and

The diaphram between the upper part of the turbine housing and the lower part of turbine housing separates the dry chamber inside the upper part of the turbine housing and the wet chamber inside the lower turbine housing.

In an aspect (11) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (10), wherein the upper shaft part comprises: the top of the upper shaft part is screwed with the intermediate assembly structure;

the upper ring is assembled with the upper axle bearing module.

In an aspect (12) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (11), wherein the upper shaft part is positioned inside the upper part of the turbine housing, and the upper axle bearing module is fixedly supported by the upper part of the turbine housing.

In an aspect (13) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (12), wherein the lower axle bearing module comprises at least one bearing;

the lubricant container is positioned on the upper end of the lower shaft part so that the lubricant can not leak while the turbine shaft is rotating;

the ball bearing cage inside the lubricant container is used to fixedly support the outer ring of the bearing so that it can not be rotated relative to the axis.

In an aspect (14) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (13), wherein the lubricant container comprises: the chamber is of the hollow cylindrical shape with the closed lower end and a round hole created through which the turbine shaft can pass, and is fixed to the upper end of the lower shaft part of the turbine shaft so that the ball bearing cage containing the bearing can be put inside this chamber, and the bearing cap is mounted to the upper end of the lower shaft part;

the cap, which is of the plate shape and mounted on the shaft, shields the upper end of the bearing cap and covers the bearing shell to prevent the lubricant from leaking while the shaft is rotating.

In an aspect (15) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (14), wherein the lower axle bearing module comprises two bearings including the lower bearing and the upper bearing;

the lower ball bearing cage, which comprises the lower bearing, has the upper end fixedly mouted to the lower part of turbine housing with the flange - bolt connection;

the upper ball bearing cage, which containes the upper bearing on the upper end and inside the lower ball bearing cage, has the upper end fixedly mouted to the lower part of turbine housing by the flange - bolt connection;

the lubricant container, which contains the upper ball bearing cage, is positioned on the upper end of the lower shaft part so that the lubricant can not leak while the turbine shaft is rotating.

In an aspect (16) according to the present invention, the turbine in an aspect (15), wherein the lubricant container comprises:

the chamber is of the hollow cylindrical shape, with the closed lower end and a round hole created through which the turbine shaft can pass, and is fixed to the upper end of the lower shaft part of the turbine shaft so that the lower ball bearing cage can be put inside this chamber, and the bearing cap is assembled with the upper end of the lower shaft part; the cap, which is of the plate shape and mounted on the shaft, shields the upper end of the bearing cap and covers the lower ball bearing cage to prevent the lubricant from leaking while the shaft is rotating.

In an aspect (17) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (16), wherein the turbine comprises the connecting part, which is used to impart the rotable motion of the turbine shaft, is assembled with the top of the upper shaft part by the intermediate assembly part to connect the connecting part with the flange-bolt connection and connect with the top part with the bolt connection.

In an aspect (18) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (17), wherein the spacer-shaped intermediate assembly part.

In an aspect (19) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (18), wherein the water inlet gate is provided on the side of the lower part of the turbine housing, suitable with the water flow entering the turbine;

the water inlet gate is a revolving gate with at least one flat plate installed like a horizontal hinge to the lower part of the turbine housing; when the water enters, it will hit the flat plate and come into the turbine, and when the water inside the turbine moves outwards, it will hit this flat plate to close the water inlet gate to prevent water from escaping from the turbine.

In an aspect (20) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in an aspect (19), wherein the water inlet gate includes many flat plates that can automatically open or close one or more plates depending to the water flow that comes into or go out of the turbine.

In an aspect (21) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (20), wherein the hydraulic turbine includes the shaft cover inside the lower part of turbine housing and surrounding the lower shaft part; In an aspect (22) according to the present invention, the hydraulic turbine in, an aspect (21 ), wherein this shaft cover comprises:

the upper part is of the hollow cylindrical shape containing the lower axle bearing module and the lubricating part, the upper end of the upper part is provided with the flange to be fixedly mounted with the lower turbine housing with the flange-bolt connection; and

the lower part is of the hollow cylindrical shape with the diameter smaller than that of the upper part, and is connected to the upper part, extending to the hub and the lower end of the lower part surrounded with a gap with a portion of the upper end of the runner hub.

In an aspect (23) according to the present invention, the turbine in an aspect (22), the width of the gap between the third level of the shaft cover and the blade hub is in the range of 0.4 to 1.4mm so that when the runner rotates, its speed is not reduced due to the friction.

In an aspect (24) according to the present invention, the turbine in any one of aspects from (5) to (23), wherein the lower part of the turbine housing is made of composite-coated steel or stainless steel.

In an aspect (25) according to the present invention, the invention provides that the turbine module comprises:

the turbines in any one of aspects from (5) to (24) according to the present invention are assembled together in the vertical direction;

the turbine shafts are mechanically connected by a mechanical transmission system; and

at least two supporting frames are positioned on two sides of the turbine module to support all the turbines and the mechanical transmission system; and the floats, each of which is positioned inside the supporting frame, function to maintain the balance of the turbine module and raise or lower the turbine module when the water level increases or decreases.

In an aspect (26) according to the present invention, the turbine module in an aspect (25), wherein the turbine module comprises air compressors, each of which is formed to be mechanically connected to the float to store the compressed air energy when the float raises or lowers the turbines.

In an aspect (27) according to the present invention, the turbine module in an aspect (25), wherein the mechanical transmission system comprises one horizontal shaft with the bevel gears each engages with the bevel gears positioned on the top of the turbine shaft in the vertical direction.

In an aspect (28) according to the present invention, the turbine module in ; an aspect (25), wherein the supporting frame is a concrete frame of the hollow rectangular shape of which two opposite faces are provided with gates in the vertical direction to insert the turbine module therein, these adjacent turbine modules are mounted on the same float inside the concrete frame so that when the tide goes up and down, these turbine modules are lifted and lowered according to ^' the tidal water; the concrete supporting frame is fixedly placed on the fixed surface.

In an aspect (29) according to the present invention, the turbine module in an aspect (28), wherein the grooses are formed on one edge side of the above opposite faces. These grooves are parallel to the gates of the turbine modules for inserting the wave block penstock to maintain the balance of the floats inside.

In an aspect (30) according to the present invention, the invention provides that the turbine system for generating electricity includes the turbine modules in any one of aspects from (26) to (29), are built in form of zigzag; wherein

each turbine module is mechanically connected to the rotor of generator.

Brief Description of Drawing Fig. 1. is a general sectional view illustrating the hydraulic turbine in the assembly state.

Fig. 1A. is an enlarged view of the assembly between the turbine shaft and the runner

Fig. IB is an enlarged view of the lower axle bearing module and the bearing nut

Fig. 1C is an enlarged view of the upper axle bearing module and the three level assembly with the shaft end

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the turbine runner

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the turbine shaft

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the turbine shaft cover

Fig. 5 is a view illustrating the turbine runner casing

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the lower turbine housing

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the two level lubricant container of the lower axle bearing module

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating the flange the lower turbine housing.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the three level combined bearing shell of the lower axle bearing module

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the upper bearing shell of the lower axle bearing module

Fig. 11 is a view illustrating the lower bearing shell of the lower axle bearing module

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating the cover of the bearing shell of the lower axle bearing module

Fig. 13 is a view illustrating the upper part of the turbine housing of the turbine

Fig. 14 is a view illustrating the two level combined bearing shell of the upper axle bearing module Fig. 15 is a view illustrating the bearing shell of the upper axle bearing module

Fig. 16 is a view illustrating the cover of the bearing shell of the upper axle bearing module

Fig. 17 is a view illustrating the one level lubricant container of the upper axle bearing module

Fig. 18 is a view illustrating the three level part mouted on the upper end of the shaft

Fig. 19 is a view illustrating the reinforced concrete frame on the seabed

Fig. 20 is a view illustrating the reinforced concrete float module to assemble with the turbine module

Fig. 21 is a view illustrating the assembly state of the concrete frame and the float module

Fig. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the generator system including the turbine modules positioned in form of zigzag.

Description of Embodiments

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof and with reference to the appended drawings, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The term of“the runner” as used herein refers to kinds of turbine runners comprising blades, a hollow cylindrical part to insert the runner therein and a portion covering the runner fixedly welded to the turbine blade end, when being assembled together, they can rotate and impart the ratable motion through the turbine shaft to the generator while they are in operation.

The term of“the hydraulic turbine” as used herein refers to a turbine that converts the water energy to the electrical energy. The term of“turbine module” as used herein refers to embodiments of the turbine assembly to form a block comprising turbines that can convert the water energy to the electrical energy.

The term of“generator system” as used herein refers to a system that can convert the water energy to the electrical energy, comprising plurality of the turbine modules connected to generator, energy storage air compressor and onshore or offshore constructions for the system of converting the water energy to the electrical energy.

According to the prefered embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig.l, the suggested hydraulic turbine comprises the rotating shaft 1 in the vertical state when in operation including the upper shaft part 11 and the lower shaft part 12 and the runner 2 (shown in details as below) mounted to the lower end of the lower shaft part 12 with the assembly structure of the runner and the assembly structure of the lower shaft part; the lower axle bearing module 3 is assembled with the upper end of the lower shaft part 12; the upper axle bearing module 4 is assembled with the upper end of the upper shaft part 11 ; the lower part of the turbine housing 5 covers the shaft cover 7 and the lower shaft part 12; the water inlet gate is formed on the lower part of turbine housing to allow water to enter and make impulses on the runner, and then flow through the gaps between the turbine blades and exit outwards. According to another prefered embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic turbine comprises the shaft cover 7 inside the lower part of the turbine housing 5 and covering the lower shaft part 12. According to another prefered embodiment, the turbine comprises the upper part of the turbine housing 6 covering the upper shaft part 11 of the turbine.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating shaft of the turbine is a hollow shaft. The holes are formed on the shaft ring on the lower end of the rotating shaft so that water can flow through these holes to go inside the shaft, move downwards to the blades inside the hub and exit outwards. Fig. 2 (a)-(d) illustrates the runner 2 and Fig. 1 A is an enlarged view of the runner 2 assembled with the turbine.

According to the prefered embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. l, Fig.lA, Fig.2 (a-d) and Fig.5 (a-c), the runner 2 of the hydraulic turbine comprises: the hub 21 is of the hollow cylindrical shape, in which the assembly structure 22 is assembled with the turbine shaft 1 ; the turbine blades 23 are positioned along the radial axis to the hub, and equally spaced along the circumference of the hub 21 ; and the blade ring 24 is fixed to the turbine blade ends to improve the firmness of the turbine blades; and the casing 25 is of the hollow cylindrical shape to cover the blade ring 24 so that the turbine blades are ratable relatively to this casing, the bar-like water directing blades 251 provided inside the casing 25 are parallel to each other and equally spaced along the circumference of the casing 25. Therefore, when the water passes through the water inlet gate, entering the lower part of the turbine housing and flows downwards to the lower shaft part 12 and hits the turbine blades 23; after that, the water continues to flow downwards through the gaps between the adjacent turbine blades forming the water jets hitting the water directing blades 251, creating the impulses back to the runner to make the blades rotate and under high load . The water directing blades 251 are fixedly welded parallel to each other and equally spaced along the inner circumference and have the same height with that of the runner casing 25. With this configuration, the hydraulic turbine has both the reaction effects on the upper side of the turbine blades 23, and the impulses effects on the lower side of the turbine blades due to the water jets exiting from the lower side of the turbine blades; therefore the runner, with the reaction upper side and the impulse lower side, has higher rotation speed and high load, utilizing the mechanical energy of water to generate electricity.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each turbine blade 23 has a big end and a small end, the small end has the inclined profile in the range of 35°- 45°, extended to the end of the blades, the big end has the inclined profile in the range of 8°-12°.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the turbine blades have an inclination angle relative to the horizontal axis in the range of 50°-60°.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the blades of the runner are arranged close to each other so that the gap between two adjacent blades is in the range of 30 - 70mm to manufacture many kinds of large or small turbines wherein water can not flow freely.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the assembly structure of the turbine shaft is the assembly with the flange and bolts with the turbine shaft.

As shown in Fig. lA and Fig.2, the blades of the runner 2 have the curve shape, the inclined profile and the thin blade thinkness. These blades are arranged close to each other along a circle to form gaps for water exiting. These blades are welded with the blade ring 24 to improve their firmness. The hub 21 is of the hollow cylindrical shape protruding over the longitudinal axis of the upper end 211 and surrounded by the lower end of shaft cover 7. The water exhaust blades 26 are provided on the lower end of the hub and the flange 212 having holes for the flange - bolt connection with the flange is provided on the lower end of the lower shaft part 12. Due to the water exhaust blades 26, when water enters the shaft cover, it will be exhausted downwards and exit outwards instead of raising to the lower axle bearing module. According to an embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig.3 (a-d), the rotating shaft 1 comprises the lower shaft part 12 and the upper shaft part 1 1 with the outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the lower shaft part 12 of the turbine.

Example Fig. 2: The blade ring has the inner diameter of 492cm, the outer diameter of 500cm, the width of 25cm; the number of blades of 31, the blade length of 210cm, each blade has the big end and the small end, the width of the small end of 33cm, the width of the big end of 66cm, the thickness of 15mm; the small end inclined in the range of 35° - 45°, the big end inclined in the range of 8° - 12°, the gap between two adjacent blades in the range of 30mm - 70mm for water exiting, the stacking width of the big ends of 8cm, the stacking width of the small ends of 32cm; the inclination angle of the blades over the axis in the range of 50° - 60°

The small ends of the blades of the runner are fixedly welded to the hub, inside the hub is the flange to insert the turbine shaft therein; the inner diameter of the hub of 160cm, the outer diameter of 170cm, inside the hub is the flange to insert the turbine shaft therin and the flange has a hole in the middle for water exiting with the diameter of 130cm to prevent water from raising to the bearing, the flange thickness of 60mm, the flange is punched at the point of the diameter of 150cm to create 30 holes of 050mm to tighten the bolts into the flange of the shaft;

The waterstop hub of the runner: the hub is welded to the flange of the blades; the inner diameter of 160cm, the outer diameter of 170cm, the height of 60cm, the hub is inserted into the shaft cover for the shaft cover to cover the hub to prevent the water from entering the shaft and raising to the bearing.

The runner casing 25 as shown in Fig. 5. The inner diameter of the runner casing of 538cm, the outer diameter of 543cm, the height of 150cm; the inner diameter of the flange of the casing of 500cm, the outer diameter of 543 cm, the thickness of 50mm; the large casing of the turbine is fixedly welded with the lower turbine housing, the small one is screwed with the lower turbine housing; 25 water directing blades 251 are welded in the vertical direction along the inner circumference of the casing body.

As illustrated in Fig. IB and Fig. 3 (a-d), the lower shaft part 12 comprises the portion of the flange 121 formed at the lower end of the shaft to be assembled with the hub 21 of the runner; the lower ring 122 has holes to assemble with the lower axle bearing module; and the upper shaft part 11 includes the top of the upper shaft part punched to create a hole to be screwed; the upper ring 112 is assembled with the upper axle bearing module. The shaft ring 123 on the lower end of the shaft is punched to create holes for water entering inside the hub to flow through and downwards to the exhaust blades inside the hub and exit outwards.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, 1A and Fig. 4 (a-d), according to an embodiment of the invention, the lower shaft part 12 is positioned inside the shaft cover 7, this shaft cover comprises the upper part 71 of the hollow cylindrical shape including the lower axle bearing module 3 and the lubricating part, the flange 73 is provided at the upper end of the upper part to be fixed by the flange - bolt connection with the lower part of the turbine housing (5); and the lower part 72 is of the hollow cylindrical shape with the diameter smaller than that of the upper part connected to the upper part, extended to the hub and the lower portion 721 of the lower part with a gap with a portion of the upper end of the runner hub.

As shown in Fig. 3: the lower part 12 of the shaft has the inner diameter of 76cm, the outer diameter of 85cm and the length of 520cm; the upper part is with a tapered roller bearing beneath a thrust bearing, under these two bearings is the shaft ring, this ring is fixedly welded to the shaft at the distance of 105cm from the shaft thread head and is punched to create holes which are tapped threads for installing the lubricant container onto the shaft, the inner diameter of the ring of 85cm, the outer diameter of 125cm, the thickness of 40mm; at the point of the diameter of 112cm, 40 holes of 037mm are tapped threads for adding the bolts of 040mm to install the lubricant container onto the shaft; the shaft portion on the thrust bearing has a 8mm thread to add the bearing nut to stop this end; the shaft portion near the flange of the shaft, which has the inner diameter of 115cm, the outer diameter of 125cm and the length of 60cm, has 25 rectangular drain holes that allow water to come inside the shaft at this portion of the shaft, the hole width of 5cm, the hole length of 50cm - next is the inner diameter of the ring of 85, the outer diameter of 1 15cm; the flange of the shaft the inner diameter of 125cm, the outer diameter of 160cm, the thickness of 50mm, at the point of the diameter of 150cm of the flange of the shaft, 30 holes of 046mm are tapped threads into the flange to add the bolts of 050mm to mount the runner with the flange of the shaft.

The upper part 1 1 of the shaft 1 is somewhat hollow to ensure the harness when the shaft is made smaller with the outer diameter of 80cm, the inner diameter of 54cm, the length of 12cm and a 8mm thread made to add the bearing nut to stop this end; when the shaft continues to be made smaller with the outer diameter of 54cm, the inner diameter of 40cm, the length of 530cm, a cone is made at the end of the shaft and at the point of the diameter of 42cm on the top side of the shaft, 12 holes of 046mm are tapped threads on the shaft for adding the bolts of 050mm to mount to three level side to the shaft end; at the point of 150cm from the shaft top, the ring is mounted and fixedly welded to the shaft, the outer diameter of the ring of 85cm, the inner diameter of 54cm, the thickness of 40mm, from the outer ring to the point of the diameter of 73cm, 20 holes of 037mm are tapped threads on the ring for adding the bolts of 040mm to mount the one level lubricant container onto the shaft.

The shaft cover 7 covers the lower shaft part 12, the lower part 72 of the shaft cover covers the hub 21 of the runner so that the gap between the waterstop hub and the shaft cover has the width in the range of 0.4 to 1.4 mm in order that the speed of the runner is not reduced by the friction. With this configuration, sand will be prevented from entering inside the space between the shaft cover and the turbine shaft because when the turbine operates, the water mixed with sand entering the turbine will flow through the gaps between the blades of the runner. As shown in Fig. 1 A and Fig. 4, the shaft cover functions to cover the shaft of the turbine to prevent water from coming into the bearing and leaking outwards, the upper end of shaft cover has the flange 73 for fixedly screwed with the flange of the lower part of turbine housing 36. The very narrow gap between the shaft cover and the hub limits the amount of water flowing into the runner hub, therefore water can not reach the lower axle bearing module 3. In operation state, the runner rotates with the shaft and the shaft cover is fixed.

Example Fig. 4: The first level is the flange shaft cover with the inner diameter of 230cm, the outer diameter of 266cm, the flange shaft cover thickness of 30mm, at the point of the diameter of 255cm from the outer diameter of flange, 50 holes of 050mm are tapped threads for adding the bolt of 50mm on the bottom surface of the flange of the lower turbine housing; the second level are the ring and plate, the inner diameter of the ring of 230cm, the outer diameter of 236cm, the height of 150cm, under is the shaft plate with the outer diameter of 230cm, the inner diameter of 176cm, the thickness of 30mm; the inner diameter of the level three extended to the hub of 170cm, the outer diameter of 176cm, the height of 430cm.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. IB according to the prefered embodiment of the invention, the axle bearing module comprises the upper axle bearing module 4 and the lower axle bearing module 3. The lower axle bearing module 3 comprises two bearings, which are the lower bearing 31 and the upper bearing 32; the lower ball bearing cage 33 containing the lower bearing 31, the upper end 331 is fixed to the lower part of turbine housing with the flange - bolt connection; the upper ball bearing cage 34 containing the upper bearing 32 on the upper end and inside the lower ball bearing cage 33, the upper end 341 is fixed to the lower part of turbine housing with the flange - bolt connection; the lubricant container in which the lower ball bearing cage 33 is fixed to the upper end of the lower shaft part 12 so that the lubricant can not leak when the turbine shaft rotates. The ball bearing cage inside the lubricant container is used to fixedly support the outer bearing in order not to rotate with the shaft. According to an embodiment of the invention, the lubricant container comprises: the chamber is of the hollow cylindrical shape, with the closed lower end and punched to create a round hole for the turbine shaft 7 to pass through, fixed to the upper end of the lower shaft part of the turbine shaft so that the ball bearing cage is positioned inside the chamber; the bearing cap is fixedly mounted to the upper end of the lower shaft part; and the cap of the plate shape is mounted on the shaft and shields the upper end of the bearing cap and covers the bearing shell to prevent the lubricant from leaking when the rotating shaft rotates.

As shown in Fig. IB, Fig. 3, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12, the lower bearing comprises the two level lubricant container 35 punched to create a round hole on the top surface 351 to mount to the shaft, the lubricant container is fixedly screwed with the lower ring 122 of the shaft through the screw holes of the lower ring formed in the radial direction of the top surface; the bearing shell 33 includes the bearing 31, the bearing 31 is the tapered roller bearing inserted inside the casing 35; this bearing shell 33 is screwed with the multilevel combined bearing shell, according to an embodiment of the invention, the three level combined bearing shell 39 and the cover of the bearing shell 37 are of the plate shape, a round hole on the top surface 371 is made for the shaft 1 to pass through, the first level flange 372 are screwed with the third level of the combined bearing shell 39. Furrthermore, the lower axle bearing module comprises the bearing nut 38 mounted onto the contact portion between the upper shaft part and the lower shaft part by the threads made in this contact portion. The lubricant container 35 at the lower axle bearing module completely covers the bearing module shell - bearing to prevent the grease from leaking, the lubricant container moves in the axis direction.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the three level combined bearing shell 39 can be provided with bosses along its inner circumference in order to mount the lower bearing shell with the lower bearing, and therefore, the lower bearing shell is in the form of one level.

Next, the lower bearing shell as shown in Fig. IB, Fig. 11, which comprises the top surface 332 of the lower the bearing shell, is made a round hole for the lower shaft part to pass through. The holes, which are also punched through both the body 331 and the top surface, is made threads for screwing the body, the top surface and the three level combined bearing shell 39 after the bearing is mounted to the bearing shell. The configuration, comprising the three level bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell after being assembled together, is inserted inside the lubricant container 35, the first level of the combined bearing shell positions on the flange of the lower part of turbine housing 36. This configuration is fixed by screwing the flange of the lower part of the turbine housing 36 of the lower part of turbine housing and the cover of the bearing shell 37 and the upper bearing shell 34 by the screw holes on the flanges 341, 393 and 372.

As shown in cac Fig. IB, Fig 8 and Fig. 13 the flange of the lower part of turbine housing 36 of the ring shape has a round hole in the middle for the above three level bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell configuration to pass through, the ring is punched to make round holes along its circumference for screwing with the bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell configuration. The upper part of the turbine housing is mounted with the lower part of the turbine housing (5) through the flange of the lower part of the turbine housing 36 by screwing the flange of the housing 5 and the flange of the lower part of turbine housing 36 and the upper part of the turbine housing 6. The lower flange of the turbine functions as the diaphram between the upper part of the turbine housing and the lower part of turbine housing (5) to separate the dry chamber inside the upper part of the turbine housing and the wet chamber inside the lower part of turbine housing (5). Due to this configuration, the turbine does not leak when in operation. Next, above the above three level bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell configuration is the configuration of the upper bearing shell 34 and the thrust bearing 32, the cover of the bearing shell 37 and the bearing nut 38. As shown in Fig. IB, Fig. 10 and Fig. 13, the upper bearing shell 34 comprises the band 342, the flange 341 and the top surface 343 punched a round hole in the middle for the lower shaft part 12 to pass through. The cover of the bearing shell 37 of the lower axle bearing module comprises the first level flange 372, the top surface 371 punched a round hole for the lower shaft part 12 to pass through and the second level band 373. The thrust bearing 32 after being mounted to the upper bearing shell 34 is screwed with the nut 38 to stop the bearing 32, and then is screwed with the cover of the bearing shell 37 though the screw holes on the first level flange 372 and the screw holes on the flange 341 of the bearing shell 11 and the screw holes on the flange 393 of the three level combined bearing shell 39.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 1C, the configuration of the upper axle bearing module comprises the configuration of the two level bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell inside the chamber 42 which includes the tapered roller bearing 43 and the two level combined bearing shell 48.

As shown in Fig. 17, the one level chamber 42 comprises the body 421 and the top surface 422 punched a round hole for the upper shaft part 11 to pass through, many holes around this round hole are made to screw with the upper ring 112 of the upper shaft part (see Fig. 3).

As shown in Fig. 14, the two level combined bearing shell 48 of the upper axle bearing module comprises the first level flange 481 and the second level flange 482. The first level flange 481 is screwed with the top surface 61 of the upper turbine housing 6, the second level flange 482 is screwed with the bearing shell 41.

As shown in Fig. 15, the bearing shell 41 comprises the top surface 412 punched a round hole for the upper shaft part to pass through. The holes are punched through both the body 411 and the top surface 412 to screw the boday 411, the top surface 412 and the second level flange 482 afetr the bearing 43 is mounted to the bearing shell 41. The configuration of the two level bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell after being assembled together, is inserted inside the one level lubricant container 42, the lower surface 481 assembled with the shaft will position on the top surface 61 of the upper part of the turbine housing turbine 6. The portion above the two level configuration bearing shell - bearing - combined bearing shell is shielded with the cover of the bearing shell 44. The cover of the bearing shell 44, as shown in Fig. 16, is of the ring shape and is punched holes to screw with the flange 481 on the two level combined bearing shell 48. The lubricant container 42 covers the two level bearing module shell - bearing - combined bearing shell to prevent the grease from leaking, the lubricant container moves in the axial direction (see Fig. l .C).

According to the prefered embodiment, the lower axle bearing module may comprise one bearing, and the upper bearing can be removed according to the embodiment of two bearings.

The turbine according to the invention comprises the connecting part 47 is mounted to the top of the upper shaft part by the intermediate assembly part to connect the connecting part 47 with the flange-bolt connection and connect to the shaft top with the bolt connection. According to an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate assembly part 46 is of the spacer shape.

As shown in Fig. 1C, according to an embodiment of the invention, the top of the shaft is connected with the connecting part 47 of two flanges by the spacershaped intermediate assembly part 46. As shown in Fig. 18, the connecting part 47 comprises the first level flange 471, the second level flange 472 and the connecting pipe 473. The second level flange 472 of this connecting part 47 is punched holes to add the bolts to mount the three level part to the shaft top through the spacer 46. The spacer 46, which is of the round flat plate shape, is punched holes to for screwing with the three level part 47 and the top of the turbine shaft, due to this configuration, the three level part is firmly mounted with the shaft top as well as the removal of the three level part from the shaft top is made easier and more flexible.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the turbine comprises the upper part of the turbine housing 6 covering the upper shaft part of the turbine; and the diaphram between the upper part of the turbine housing and the lower part of the turbine housing 5 to separate the dry chamber inside the upper part of the turbine housing and the wet chamber inside the lower part of the turbine housing 5. According to an embodiment of the invention, the diaphram is the flange of the turbine housing 36 as shown in Fig. 8.

As shown in Fig. 6(b), according to another embodiment of the invention, the lower part of the onshore turbine housing 52 is the housing with the water inlet gate on one side like a whisle to form whirls, the onshore water inlet gate has the diameter equal to that of the runner; the hollow cylindrical shaped portion covers the lower shaft part, one end of the hollow cylindrical shaped portion is screwed with the flange of the lower turbine housing; the water inlet gate is extended and connected to the hollow cylindrical shaped part to receive water from outside flowing in to make the runner operate.

According to another embodiment of the invention in Fig.6(a), the lower part of the offshore turbine housing 51 is the housing with the square water inlet gate twice or three times as large as the runner to receive a large amount of the wave hitting energy because the large housing stores a large amount of water, and since the runner is small, when it uses up the stored water, another wave will hit and make the rotation of the turbine not be interrupted between waves; the extended portion of the water inlet gate is connected with the hollow cylindrical shaped portion to get water from outside flowing in to make the runner operate According to an embodiment of the invention, the water inlet gate provided inside the lower part of the turbine housing is suitable with the direction of water flowing into the turbine; the water inlet gate is a revolving gate with at least one flat plate 53 installed like a horizontal hinge to the lower part of the turbine housing so that water that flows in the turbin will hit the flat plate 53 to close the water gate to prevent water from escaping from the turbine. According to another embodiment of the invention, the water inlet gate comprises the flat plates 53 that can automatically open or close one or many plates depending on the water flow that enters or escapes from the turbine.

As shown in Fig. 1, the portion of the water inlet gate comprises 3 - 5 flate plates 53 which can automatically open or close depending on the water flow, when the waves hit the flat plates 53 of the water inlet gate, the flat plates 53 open to let the water come into the turbine, when the water enters, the flat gates 53 close automatically to prevent the water from exiting through the wave receiving gate.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the lower part of turbine housing is made of composite-coated steel or stainless steel.

Furthermore, the invention provides that turbine module comprises the turbines, as descrised above, assembled together in the vertical direction, these turbines are assembled by the assembly structure.

The lower part of the turbine housing 5 is as shown in Fig. 6. The inner diameter of 538cm, the outer diameter of 543cm, the height of 500cm; the inner diameter of the upper flange of the turbine housing of 500cm, the outer diameter of 543cm, the thickness of the flange of 50mm, at the point of the diameter of 530cm on the upper flange, 103 holes of 046 are tapped threads for adding the bolts of 050mm to mount the flange to the flange of the lower turbine housing; the water inlet gate of the lower part of the turbine housing in form of spiral to the water inlet gate becomes square or round depending on the terrain to manufacture the turbines which are suitable with the reality to achieve the highest capacity; The lower part of the turbine housing is used in offshore constructions (Fig.6a):

In offshore constructions, the lower part of turbine housings are made of stainless steel. The rest parts, which contact with the salted water, are made of stainless steel, composite-coated steel, fiber pipes and fiber sheets; the runners are not made too big depending on the tidal-wave energy, because the small waves and tide sometimes do not allow high head, the diameter of the runner of 200cm- 300cm is reasonable, the housings are made bigger than those for onshore constructions and are made to be square to get more water;

The wave receiving gate has to be big to receive a larger amount of water; the runner of 200cm, the square wave receiving gate of the lower part of the turbine housing of 400cm - 600cm, the runner of 300cm, the square wave receiving gate of the lower part of the turbine housing of 600cm - 900cm, the wave receiving gate of 3 - 5 flat plates automatically opens or closes, when the waves hit the flat plates of the water gate, the flat plates open to allow water flowing into the turbine, when the water enters, the flat gates close automatically to prevent water from exiting through the wave receiving gate, the flat plates are made of fibers;

According to an embodiment of the invention, the turbine module comprises 5 to 10 turbines. These turbines are mechanically connected together by the mechanical transmission system. Therein, this mechanical transmission system includes one turbine mounted with the first inclined bevel gear on the top of the turbine shaft; and the mechanical transmission system includes one horizontal shaft with the second inclined bevel gears each engages with each of the first inclined bevel gears.

The reinforced concrete floats inside the concrete frame are installed firmly on the seabed; the turbine modules are insert inside the floats, the floats have the function to make the turbine modules float on the sea surface and maintain the balance by the turbines on the sea surface to receive the waves which consecutively hit the turbines; the stainless steel with the thickness of 5mm is welded outside the floats for floating and the steel bars of 025mm are welded with the square shape of 25cm inside the stainless steel cover, after that, the concreting process is made so that the turbine modules float on the sea surface like the concrete ship floating on the sea surface. The reinforced concrete floats are welded with the rectangular steel bars with the thickness of 20mm - 30mm of which edges are made round to store the compressed air into the floats, the outer width of the floats of 15m - 19m, the inner width of 13m - 17m, the outer length of 32m - 37m, the inner length of 3 lm - 36m, the height of 14m - 18m; the floats are welded with the steel bars with the thickness of 5mm along their four edges for floating, inside four edges are filled with the reinforced concrete with the thickness of 50cm for firmness and anti-trust, inside four edges are the steel sheets with the thickness of 20mm - 30mm for the compressed air storage; two round holes with the diameter of lm are made on the two ends of each float for safety inspections and maintenance if necessary, in the compressed air storage process, the flange is punched to creat holes to add the bolts to form a firm connection to prevent the compressed air from leaking, a steel spout with the diameter of 15cm is provided in the middle of the flange with threads for a hose to be connected to use or pump the compressed air.

At least two the supporting frames positioned on two sides of the turbine module support all the turbines and the mechanical transmission system; and floats, each float 9’ provided inside the concrete frame 9, functions to keep balance of turbine module and raise or lower the turbine module when the water level increases or decreases.

According to the invention, the supporting frame is a concrete frame of the hollow rectangular shape wherein the two opposite faces are provided with the gates in the vertical direction to mount the turbines, these adjacent turbine modules are positioned on the same float inside the concrete frame so that when tide goes up and down, these turbine modules are lifted and lowered according to the tidal water; the concrete supporting frame is fixedly placed on the fixed surface. On one edge side of the above two opposite faces is made grooves parallel to the turbine gates for mounting the wave block penstock to maintain the balance of the floats inside.

As shown in Fig. 21 , the supporting frame 9, of the hollow rectangular shape, has three faces, wherein one edge side of the two opposite faces is made grooves 91 in the vertical direction to mount the wave block penstock during the concreting process. When the concreting process is done, the penstock is taken out for the concrete frame to be sunk to the seabed; the floats are inserted into the rest face and then the penstock is positioned into the grooves to prevent the waves from making the inside floats unstable; the two opposite faces of the concrete supporting frame are provided with the gates 92 in the vertical direction with the width of 6m - 7m and the height of 13 - 15m to insert the turbine therein, these adjacent turbine modules are mounted on the same float 9’ so that when tide goes up and down, these adjacent turbine modules are lifted and lowered lat the same time.

In addition, the invention also provides that the turbine system for generating electricity comprises the above turbine modules are built in form of zigzag; wherein each turbine module is connected with the rotor of generator (see Fig. 22); and these modules are connected to the air compressor pump system to store the energy into the gas vessel. The floates are used to both float the turbines and store the compressed air for energy reserve.

Technical Effects of the Invention

The“versatile green hydraulic” turbine according to the invention is more complete and different from the current turbines. It uses tidal flows or rivers with low head to generate electricity with a system of converting the wave energy to the compressed air that is stored for power generation in peak hours; this turbine has low water consumption and high speed; its popular configuration provides easy use and repair; the turbine blades are in the vertical direction, the water directing blades 3 are replaced with the speed regulating flat plate, the draft tube is removed, the multiple blade runner with small profile is to impulse with the lower side and interact with the upper side to improve the speed;

The upper part of the turbine shaft has 3 bearings, the lower part of the shaft for hanging has no bearing stop at the lower part, the shaft portion near the flange has the inner diameter of 115cm, the outer diameter of 125cm, the length of 60cm, and there are 25 rectangular drain holes inside the shaft on this shaft portion, the bottom surface of the shaft has a flange to mount the runner onto the shaft; especially, the runner has a hub that prevents water on the runner, with the water head of above 20m, a waterstop is not required and a sealing gasket structure for the turbine shaft to create friction to reduce the speed, a water seal is not used but the water does not leak and flow into the above bearing, the lubricant container is mounted with the shaft so that the lubricant - grease can not leak; the runner is made to have the reaction on the upper side and the impulse on the lower side; a speeding regulating part mounted with the turbine automatically regulates the speed equal to the speed of turbine. With the turbine runner with the diameter of 120cm - 500cm, the turbine runner cover is welded with the lower part of the turbine housing and the runner casing and the lower part of turbine housing are concretized with the construction. With the turbine runner with the diameter of 60cm - under 120cm, a portion of the runner casing is concretized, and the lower part of the turbine housing is screwed with the runner casing; the lower turbine housing is not concretized in offshore constructions. The turbine is made of stainless steel, composite-coated steel, fiber pipes and fiber sheets for anticorrosion.