초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for automatically determining the set of optimal operating angles for the variable pitch blades of a Kaplan-type turbine which has movable gates and is controlled by a governor and an electronic 3D cam. The governor controls the gates so as to maintain the turbine at a predeterm

Method and apparatus for automatically determining the set of optimal operating angles for the variable pitch blades of a Kaplan-type turbine which has movable gates and is controlled by a governor and an electronic 3D cam. The governor controls the gates so as to maintain the turbine at a predetermined setpoint power generation level, and on-cam values of particular operating parameters of the turbine are measured. When evaluation of the measured data indicates that the turbine is in a steady-state condition, the blades are moved through a series of incremental off-cam variations in pitch. Following each incremental pitch variation of the blades, the governor repositions the gates to return the turbine to the predetermined setpoint power generation level. The operation of the turbine is then monitored, and values of particular operating parameters are measured at the new gate-blade operating point once the turbine has returned to steady-state. An efficiency value is computed for each of the measured operating points and are compared to identify a peak efficiency value.

대표청구항 ▼

Method of automatically determining, for a plurality of gross headwater levels and gate positions, optimal operating angles providing peak generating efficiency for variable pitch blades of a Kaplan-type turbine having movable gates, said turbine being controlled by a governor and an electronic 3D c

Method of automatically determining, for a plurality of gross headwater levels and gate positions, optimal operating angles providing peak generating efficiency for variable pitch blades of a Kaplan-type turbine having movable gates, said turbine being controlled by a governor and an electronic 3D cam, said method comprising the steps of: running the turbine on-cam at, and usnng the governor to control the positions of said gates so as to maintain said turbine at, a predetermined setpoint power generation level; measuring on-cam values of particular operating parameters of the turbine; evaluating the measured data to determine whether the turbine is operating in a steady-state condition; when steady-state operation has been achieved, moving the blades of said turbine through a series of incremental off-cam variations in pitch in both flatter blade angle and steeper blade angle directions; after making each incremental variation in the pitch of said blades, allowing the governor to reposition the gates so as to return the power generation level of the turbine to the setpoint, monitoring the operation of the turbine to determine when it has returned to steady-state and then measuring values of the particular operating parameters at the new gate-blade operating point; computing an efficiency value corresponding to each of the measured operating points; and comparing the efficiency values of the measured operating points to identify a peak value.