A TURBINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a turbine.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Turbines are well known for converting linear fluid motion into rotational mechanical energy. Typically, however, turbines require high fluid volumes to operate effectively and cannot operate using low volume, high pressure fluids.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a turbine which will at least partially alleviate the abovementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provide a turbine comprising an axle rotatably mounted to a base within a housing and a passage extending between an inlet at one end of the shaft and a plurality of outlets spaced about the circumference of the shaft partway along the length thereof, the outlets further being defined by nozzles radially spaced from the shaft and inclined to the circumference thereof.

Further features of the invention provide for each nozzle to be associated with an arm extending radially from the axle; for the passage to extend internally of the shaft and thereafter through tubes secured to each arm; for the passage to exit the shaft alternately on either side of the arms; and for each arm to have a circumferentially extending head with the nozzle provided by a passage therethrough

Still further features of the invention provide for the housing to extend about the head of each arm in close proximity there to; for a sump to be provided at the lower end of the housing; and for an outlet in the sump to be connected to the passage inlet through a pump.

A yet further feature of the invention provides for the shaft to be connectable to a drive at the end opposite the passage inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a turbine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the turbine in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a sectional front elevation of the turbine in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A turbine (1 ) is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and includes a shaft (2) rotatably mounted between a pair of bearing sets (4) to a base (6) which is supported on two legs (8).

Six radially extending arms (10) are secured centrally to the shaft (2) equally spaced about the circumference thereof. Each arm (10) terminates in a circumferentially extended flange (12) with a similarly shaped head (13) secured thereto. Each arm (10) is offset with respect to its flange (12) such that the leading edge (15) of the flange (12) is nearer the arm (10) than the trailing edge (16).

Each arm (10) has a channelled sectioned lower end (18), the sides of which fit over, and are secured to a disc (20) secured to the shaft (2) by bolts (22).

A central passage (30) is provided partway through the shaft (2) with its inlet (31) at one end (33) of the shaft (2) and outlets defined by a nozzle (34) in the head (13) on each arm (10).

The central passage (30) in the shaft (2) has a radial extension (35) adjacent each arm (10) with the extension (35) extending alternately on either side of the arms (10). A high pressure tube (37) extends between each passage (35) as it exits the shaft (2) and the inlet (39) to each nozzle (34) along the leading edge (15) of each arm (10) and head (13).

Each nozzle (34) is formed by a small diameter passage which extends from the leading edge (15) of each head (13) spaced apart from the outer surface (40) thereof lineally to the outer surface (40) approximately one third of the length of the outer surface (40) from the leading edge (15) of the head (13). The nozzle (34) is thus inclined to the circumference of the circle defined by the outer surfaces (40) of the heads (13) and hence, of the shaft (2).

A housing (50) is provided about the shaft (2) and arms (10) and has a heaving gauge ring (52) which extends about the arms (10) in close proximity to the heads (13). In this embodiment, a gap of 100μm is provided between the ring (52) and the outer

surface (40) of each head (13). Side plates (54) extend from each side of the inner surface of the ring to the inner sides (55) of the housing (6). A further frusto-conical plate (57) extends about the plates (54) from each side of the inner part of the ring (52) to radially extending flanges (58) at the outer ends of the housing (6). A sump (60) is provided at the lower end of the housing (50) and has an outlet (61 ) connected through a pump (62) and rotated joint (64) to the inlet (31 ) of the passage (30).

In this embodiment, a reducer gearbox (70) is secured to the base (6) to be driven by the shaft (2) opposite the end (33).

In use, the sump (60) is filled with an hydraulic oil and using the pump (62) fed into the passage (30) under high pressure, in this embodiment 400 bar, at a rate of 12,5L per second. The oil flows through the passage (30) and is ejected through each of the nozzles (34) causing the shaft (2) to rotate. After ejection through the nozzles (34), the oil flows into the sump (60). The shaft (2) and arms (10) have a combined mass of 1 ton and, under normal operating conditions, the shaft (2) rotates at 3000 rpm. Using the reduction gearbox the turbine can be used to drive further equipment, including generators, in conventional fashion. An effective means for converting the energy from high pressure, low volume fluids to mechanical energy is thus provided.

It will be appreciated, however, that many other embodiments of a turbine exist, especially regarding the configuration of the arms, nozzles and housing.