Device for reversing a blade of a runner unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10598144-B2
Application number	US-201715405177-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 12, 2017
Priority date	Jan 12, 2016
Publication date	Mar 24, 2020
Grant date	Mar 24, 2020

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a runner unit of a tidal power plant, and more particularly to a device for reversing a blade of the runner unit. The device according to the embodiments is lighter and more efficient with respect to known solutions which involve articulated mechanisms as it is based on a reversing servomotor including an annular piston which acts on the blade to be reversed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for reversing a blade of a runner unit, the device comprising:
an annular lever fixed to a trunnion portion of the blade and rotatably mounted on the runner unit;
a main servomotor comprising a first piston cylinder adapted to reciprocate along a shaft of the runner unit and coupled to said annular lever so as to cause a first rotation of the blade until said first piston cylinder reaches a dead zone position, said annular lever comprising a pin eccentric with respect to an axis of rotation of said annular lever, said pin being hosted in a groove formed in said first piston cylinder;
a reversing servomotor including a second piston cylinder arranged to cause a further rotation of the blade from said dead zone position; and
a connecting rod having a first end connected to said second piston cylinder and a second end eccentrically fixed on said annular lever, wherein said second piston cylinder is annular-shaped and is arranged concentric with and surrounding said first piston cylinder, said first piston cylinder being received within second piston cylinder.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said reversing servomotor is adapted to reciprocate along the shaft of the runner unit.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said first end of said connecting rod has an eyelet arranged to cooperate with a pivot fixed on said second piston cylinder, wherein said eyelet is configured to establish a movement relative to said pivot during motion of said main servomotor.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said pivot is located on an internal wall of said second piston cylinder.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said reversing servomotor is oil-operated.

6. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a nut arranged around said pin and within said groove.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said main servomotor is oil-operated.

8. A system comprising:
a runner unit having a shaft and at least one blade rotatably mounted on the shaft; and
a device for reversing the blade, the device comprising:
an annular lever fixed to a trunnion portion of the blade and rotatably mounted on the runner unit;
a main servomotor comprising a first piston cylinder adapted to reciprocate along the shaft of the runner unit and coupled to said annular level to cause a first rotation of the blade until said first piston cylinder reaches a dead zone position, said annular lever comprising a pin eccentric with respect to an axis of rotation of said annular lever, said pin being hosted in a groove formed in said first piston cylinder;
a reversing servomotor including a second piston cylinder arranged to cause a further rotation of the blade from said dead zone position; and
a connecting rod having a first end connected to said second piston cylinder and a second end eccentrically fixed on said annular lever, wherein said second piston cylinder is annular-shaped and is arranged concentric with and surrounding said first piston cylinder, said first piston cylinder being received within second piston cylinder.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said reversing servomotor is adapted to reciprocate along the shaft of the runner unit.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said first end of said connecting rod has an eyelet arranged to cooperate with a pivot fixed on said second piston cylinder, wherein said eyelet is configured to establish a movement relative to said pivot during motion of said main servomotor.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein said pivot is located on an internal wall of said second piston cylinder.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said reversing servomotor is oil-operated.

Assignees

• Alstrom Renewable Tech
• Ge Renewable Tech

Inventors

• Mathieu Alain
• PEIN Erwan

Classifications

• F05B2210/404

  bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions · CPC title

• F05B2260/76

  the adjusting mechanism using auxiliary power sources · CPC title

• F15B15/06

  for mechanically converting rectilinear movement into non- rectilinear movement · CPC title

• F03B3/145 Primary

  Mechanisms for adjusting the blades (if the regulation aspect is preponderant, see F03B15/00 and subgroups) · CPC title

• F03B11/00

  Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups (controlling F03B15/00), {e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator} · CPC title