The present invention relates to a volumetric hydraulic machine for water supply in pressure.
Hydroelectric generators on the market exploit the pressure force of the water pipes to cause the turbines to rotate and generate electric energy. In order for the hydroelectric turbine generator to efficiently generate electric current, there is a need on the one hand to increase the speed of the water flow on the turbine blades or propellers, and on the other, to make the geometry of the turbine blades or propellers as effective as possible.
The pipes of the aqueduct supplies have water flow pressures which change significantly over time due to weather factors and use by the population or by industries.
Patent IT2011TV0045A1 describes a volumetric paddle turbine capable of exploiting the excess pressure of the aqueduct supplies to generate electric energy.
Said turbine is disadvantageously only applied to aqueduct supplies with a high pressure and flow rate. Furthermore, said paddles of said turbine are disadvantageously subject to wear caused by the minerals in the water.
Said volumetric turbine becomes less effective over time thus disadvantageously being fragile, given that said paddles are pushed by respective compression springs against an inner wall of a fluid containment cylinder to increase the pressure.
Said turbine is not capable of effectively regulating the excess water flow, given that a sudden strong increase of the water inlet risks breaking the turbine mechanism.
GB-2178488A describes a hydraulic machine exploiting the kinetic energy of water flowing through aqueduct water network, wherein said hydraulic machine comprises a pair of pistons which are intermittently interrupting the water flow. It is disadvantageous because said hydraulic machine interrupts the water flow of the aqueduct water network and the pistons are in risk of breaking.
The object of the present invention is to make a high-efficiency volumetric hydraulic machine which exploits the excess kinetic energy of the aqueduct supplies in a wide range of pressure and flow rate values without interrupting water supply.
It is a further object of the present invention to make a volumetric hydraulic machine that is solid and long-lasting over time, thus also resisting sudden large changes of the water flow in the supply.
In accordance with the invention, these objects are achieved with a volumetric hydraulic machine for water supply in pressure according to claim 1.
These and other features of the present invention will become increasingly apparent from the following detailed description of one of its non-limiting practical embodiment examples disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to the above-listed figures, a hydraulic machine 1 for water supply in pressure can be noted comprising a cover 2 of dome-shape which closes on a cylindrical distribution box 3.
Said distribution box 3 is mounted in turn on a monoblock 4 comprising a central cylindrical body 40 and two arms: a first arm 41 and a second arm 42 arranged at 120° between them.
As shown in
An inlet flange 21 for the water deriving from an aqueduct water supply (not shown in the figures) opens on the top of the dome of said cover 2. Said inlet flange 21 is crossed by an axis V which passes the whole hydraulic machine 1 from the front part to the rear part, as shown in particular in
As shown in
As shown in
Four flanges respectively depart from each of said cavities 30-33: a first flange 35, a second flange 36, a third flange 37 and a fourth flange 38 in connection with respective four pipes, the first three of which are shown in
As shown in
Said fourth cavity 33 is bulb-shaped with a first portion 331 of tubular neck-shaped, the first end of which is in connection with the fourth flange 38 and the second end is in connection with a second circular portion 332 in a bulb-bottom shape of the fourth cavity 33. The centre of said second portion 332 is at the centre in the through hole 22, as shown in
Said through hole 22 of the distribution box 3 allows the passage of a crankshaft 7 along the axis V, as shown in
Said through hole 22 is shaped according to three different radial thicknesses, as shown in
As shown in
Said through opening 61 is adapted to select a quantity of water which may flow in a given time range in one only of the respective openings 30, 31, 32 of the distribution box 3 while the rotating valve 6 rotates around axis V.
As shown in
Said connecting through hole 63 allows crankshaft 7 to be mounted integrally with said rotating valve 6.
As shown in
As shown in
Said first arm 41 and said second arm 42 are respectively located in correspondence with the front flanges 36 and 37.
Said arms 41 and 42 comprise a first chamber 46 and a second chamber 47, respectively, which are connected to a second rear flange 56 and to a third rear flange 57, respectively. The second rear flange 56 is in turn connected to the second cavity 31 with the second pipe 51, instead the third rear flange 57 is in turn connected to the third cavity 32 of the distribution box 3 with the third pipe 52.
As shown in
Said rear through hole 25 is shaped according to two different radial thicknesses, as shown in
A rear cover 8 of the same dimensions as the central cylindrical body 40 closes the rear part of monoblock 4. Said rear cover 8 comprises one other rear through hole 26 which is shaped so as to allow the passage of crankshaft 7. Said other rear through hole 26 is shaped with a recess 261 which is adapted to contain a sealing sheath 29.
As shown in
Sliding inside the first chamber 46 of the first arm 41 is a first piston 91 which is adapted to move in two forward and backward directions of the direction of the length of the first chamber 46. Said first piston 91 is connected to crankshaft 7 by means of a connecting rod 93.
Sliding inside the second chamber 47 of the second arm 42 is a second piston 92 which is adapted to move in two forward and backward directions of the direction of the length of the second chamber 47. Said second piston 92 is connected to crankshaft 7 by means of a connecting rod 94.
By rotating inside the through holes 22, 25 and 26, said crankshaft 7 is capable of moving the two pistons 91 and 92 forwards and backwards.
As shown in
With regards to the operation of the hydraulic machine 1, we describe the path of the water while the hydraulic machine 1 is already full of water.
The water is emitted from the water supply into the inlet flange 21, as shown in
The dome-shape of said front chamber 20 advantageously contributes to creating a basin for the water in the short time intervals in which by rotating on axis V, the through opening 61 does not match with any cavity 30-32, thus preventing the passage of the water.
As the through opening 61 rotates around axis V thus overtime revealing one only of the cavities 30-32 at a time in succession, substantially six different operating steps of the hydraulic machine 1 may be apparent.
Said six operating steps form a cycle of the hydraulic machine 1.
In the first operating step of the hydraulic machine I shown in
The water flows through the third flange 37 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the third pipe 52 until it flows through the third rear flange 57 of the monoblock 4, as shown in
The connecting rods 93 and 94 are moved by the action of the second piston 92 thus advantageously causing a rotary motion of crankshaft 7. At the same time, the motion of the two connecting rods 93 and 94 together with the motion of crankshaft 7 cause a rotary motion of the water in the central chamber 45 thus pushing it through the first rear flange 55 of the monoblock 4 in the first pipe 50 up to the first flange 35 of the distribution box 3, and to end up in the first cavity 30, as shown in
The rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6 is positioned at the first cavity 30 and the fourth cavity 33 of the distribution box 3, as shown in
The water enters the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 of the distribution box 3 by means of the rear hollow 62, as shown in
The hydraulic machine 1 indeed uses only a part of the kinetic energy of the water from the water supply, thus allowing the water used to be advantageously re-emitted into the supply to produce electric energy with a partial loss of pressure.
In the time interval after the description of the first operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding to the second operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, as shown in
In said second operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, it is apparent that the rotating slide valve 6 has the through opening 61 in correspondence with the second cavity 31 of the distribution box 3.
Said second position of the through opening 61 allows the water inside the front chamber 20 to flow into the second cavity 31.
The water flows through the second flange 36 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the second pipe 51 until it flows through the second rear flange 56 of the monoblock 4 as shown in
Said first piston 91 pushes the first connecting rod 93 which in turn impresses a force on crankshaft 7 thus contributing to cause it to rotate inside the central chamber 45.
As crankshaft 7 rotates, it pushes the second connecting rod 94 which causes the second piston 92 to move towards the third pipe 52.
The water in the second chamber 47 of the second arm 42 of the monoblock 4 is then pushed towards the third rear flange 57 of the monoblock 4 thus starting to enter the third pipe 52.
At the same time, the motion of the two connecting rods 93 and 94 together with the motion of crankshaft 7 advantageously cause a rotary motion of the water in the central chamber 45 of the monoblock 4 thus pushing it through the first rear flange 55 of the monoblock 4 in the first pipe 50 up to the first flange 35 of the distribution box 3, and to end up in the first cavity 30, as shown in
The rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6 is positioned at the first cavity 30 and at the fourth cavity 33 of the distribution box 3, as shown in
The water enters the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 of the distribution box 3 through the rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6, as shown in
In the time interval after the description of the second operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding to the third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, as shown in
In said third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, it is apparent that the rotating slide valve 6 has the through opening 61 in correspondence with the second cavity 31 of the distribution box 3.
Said second position of the through opening 61 allows the water inside the front chamber 20 to flow into the second cavity 31 again of the distribution box 3, as in the second operating step.
The water flows through the second flange 36 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the second pipe 51 until it flows through the second rear flange 56 of monoblock 4 as shown in
Said first piston 91 continues pushing, to the end of its travel, the first connecting rod 93 which in turn impresses a force on crankshaft 7 thus contributing to causing it to rotate inside the central chamber 45.
As crankshaft 7 rotates, it continues pushing the second connecting rod which causes the second piston 92 to move towards the third pipe 52.
The water in the second chamber 47 of monoblock 4 is then pushed towards the third rear flange 57 of monoblock 4 thus continuing to enter the third pipe 52.
The water in said third pipe 52 flows through the third flange 37 of the distribution box 3, as shown in
As shown in
The water enters the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 of the distribution box 3 through the rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6, as shown in
In the time interval after the description of the third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding to the fourth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, as shown in
In said fourth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, it is apparent that the rotating slide valve 6 has the through opening 61 at the first cavity 30 of the distribution box 3. Said fourth position of the through opening 61 allows the water inside the front chamber 20 to flow into the first cavity 30 of the distribution box 3.
The water flows through the first flange 35 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the first pipe 50 of the monoblock 4 until it flows through the first rear flange 55 of monoblock 4, as shown in
The water enters the central chamber 40 of monoblock 4 from the first pipe 50 and contributes advantageously to impressing a rotary motion on crankshaft 7 which moves the two connecting rods 93 and 94, as shown in
Advantageously, no third piston is installed on said hydraulic machine 1, given that the rotary motion of the water combined sinergistically with the force of inertia of crankshaft 7, which was already rotating as described in the preceding first, second and third operating steps, continue pushing the second connecting rod 94, as though they were carrying out the functions of a third piston. Said second connecting rod 94 in turn pushes the second piston 92 towards the third pipe 52 as in the third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1.
The water in the second chamber 47 of the second arm 42 of the monoblock 4 continues to flow towards the third pipe 52.
At the same time, the rotary motion of the water combined sinergistically with the force of inertia of crankshaft 7, which up to said third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1 were dragging the first connecting rod 93, begin pushing the first connecting rod 93, as though they were carrying out the functions of a third piston, so as to invert the motion of the first piston 91 towards the second pipe 51, which said first piston 91 arrived at the stop during the third operating step of the hydraulic machine 1.
Said first piston 91 starts pushing the water which filled the first chamber 46 of the monoblock 4, towards the second pipe 51.
The water in the first chamber 46 is then pushed towards the second rear flange 56 of the monoblock 4 thus continuing to enter the second pipe 51.
The water in said second pipe 51 flows through the second flange 36 of the distribution box 3, as shown in
As shown in
The water enters the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 through the rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6, as shown in
In the time interval after the description of the fourth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding to the fifth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, as shown in
In said fifth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, it is apparent that the rotating slide valve 6 has the through opening 61 in correspondence with the first cavity 30 of the distribution box 3, similarly to said fourth operating step.
Said fifth position of the through opening 61 allows the water inside the front chamber 20 to flow into the first cavity 30 again, as in said fourth operating step.
The water flows through the first flange 35 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the first pipe 50 until it flows through the first rear flange 55 of the monoblock 4, as shown in
Similarly to the fourth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the water continues entering the central chamber 40 of the monoblock 4 from the first pipe 50, thus contributing advantageously to impress a rotary motion on crankshaft 7 which moves the two connecting rods 93 and 94, as shown in
The rotary motion of the water combined sinergistically with the force of inertia of crankshaft 7, which was already rotating as described in the preceding first, second, third and fourth operating steps, continues to push the second connecting rod 94, which in turn pushes the second piston 92 towards the third pipe 52 up to stop.
The water flows completely from the second chamber 47 of the second arm 42 of the monoblock 4 towards the third pipe 52.
At the same time, the rotary motion of the water combined sinergistically with the force of inertia of crankshaft 7 continues to push the first connecting rod 93, as in the fourth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1. Said first connecting rod 93 continues pushing the first piston 91 towards the second pipe 51 thus pushing the water therein, through the second rear flange 56 of the monoblock 4.
The water in said second pipe 51 flows through the second flange 36 of the distribution box 3, as shown in
As shown in
The water enters the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 of the distribution box 3, through the rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6. as shown in
In the time interval after the description of the fifth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding to the sixth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, as shown in
In said sixth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, it is apparent that the rotating slide valve 6 has the through opening 61 in correspondence with the third cavity 32 of the distribution box 3, as in said first operating step of the hydraulic machine 1.
Said sixth position of the through opening 61 allows the water inside the front chamber 20 to flow again into the third cavity 32 of the distribution box 3.
The water flows through the third flange 37 of the distribution box 3 and travels through the third pipe 52 until it flows through the third rear flange 57 of the monoblock 4, as shown in
Said second piston 92 pushes the second connecting rod 94 which in turn impresses a force on crankshaft 7 thus contributing to cause it to rotate inside the central chamber 45.
As crankshaft 7 rotates, it pushes the first connecting rod 93 which continues causing the first piston 91 to move towards the second pipe 51, as in said preceding fifth operating step of the hydraulic machine.
The water in the first chamber 46 of the first arm 41 of monoblock 4 is then pushed towards the second rear flange 56 of monoblock 4 thus entering the second pipe 51.
At the same time, the motion of the two connecting rods 93 and 94 together with the motion of crankshaft 7 advantageously sinergistically cause a rotary motion of the water in the central chamber 45 thus pushing it to remain in the first pipe 50, as shown in
As shown in
The water enters in the front hole 221 of the through hole 22 of the distribution box 3 by means of the rear hollow 62 of the rotating slide valve 6, as shown in
In the time interval after the description of the sixth operating step of the hydraulic machine 1, the rotating slide valve 6 is rotated around axis V due to the action of crankshaft 7, thus proceeding again to the first operating step already described above and advantageously resuming the cycle of said hydraulic machine 1.
The dimensions of the front chamber 20, of the cavities 30-33, of the rear hollow 62, of the chambers 45-47 and of the pipes 50-52 are calibrated to cause the hydraulic machine 1 to operate in synchrony and obtain the rotation of crankshaft 7 in order to convert the kinetic energy of the water in pressure of the water supply into mechanical energy which is useful for rotating mandrel 10 rotatably connected with the revolution variator 11, as shown in
Said revolution variator 11 advantageously allows the efficiency of the hydraulic machine 1 to be further increased according to the flow rate and pressure of the water supply.
Alternatively, mechanical energy may be extracted instead of electric energy, thus replacing the electric energy generator 14 with another device for performing mechanical operations.
A further alternative allows the hydraulic machine I to be connected directly to an electric energy generator 14 or to another device adapted to perform mechanical operations.
A further alternative again consists of increasing the dimensions of the hydraulic machine 1 thus increasing the number of pairs of pistons 91-92 in monoblock 4. According to said alternative, in order to operate synchronously, the hydraulic machine 1 also increases, according to the number of pairs of pistons 91-92: the number of cavities 30-33 of the distribution box 3; the number of pipes 50-52 between the distribution box 3 and the monoblock 4 and the number of openings 61 and of the rear hollows 62 of the rotating slide valve 6. Again in said alternative, a cover 2 with a larger front chamber 20 may be envisaged.
Advantageously, the hydraulic machine 1 according to the present invention exploits a part of the kinetic energy of the water in pressure flowing in the water supply thus allowing electric energy to be generated efficiently.
One other advantage consists of the fact that once the water has passed inside the hydraulic machine 1, it undergoes moderate and controllable pressure losses, and may therefore be re-emitted into the water supply.
One other advantage again of the present invention is the fact that said hydraulic machine 1 allows electric energy to be produced within a wide range of pressure and flow rate values of the water supply, thus advantageously allowing said hydraulic machine 1 to also be used in the presence of water flows with relatively low flow rate or pressure.
A further advantage consists of the fact that the hydraulic machine 1 may also be used to regulate the pressure of the water supply by using the excess power to generate electric energy. Said hydraulic machine 1 may therefore replace dissipation tanks already present on the water supply.
A further advantage again consists of the fact that said hydraulic machine 1 may also operate in the presence of significant or sudden overpressures due to the dome-shape of the front chamber 20 of cover 2.
An advantage again consists of the fact that said hydraulic machine 1 is solid and long-lasting with parts subject to little wear over time.
A further advantage consists of the fact that said hydraulic machine I operates with the two pistons 91 and 92 alone, given that the rotary motion of the water in the central chamber 45 of the monoblock 4 and the inlet of the water from the first pipe 50 to the central chamber 45, combined sinergistically with the force of inertia of crankshaft 7 and of the connecting rods 93 and 94, perform the functions of a third piston.
Again, a further advantage of the present invention is that the hydraulic machine 1 may operate both in line with the water supply according to axis V, or in vertical with respect to the ground.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
MI 2013A 000135 | Jan 2013 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2014/051497 | 1/27/2014 | WO | 00 |