Fluid directing system for turbines

Abstract

A directing system for directing fluid entering an axial flow turbine along an inlet flow direction. The turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades. The directing system includes a base structure, a plurality of directing segments attached to the base structure, downstream of the base structure, and a directing segment adjustment system for adjustably positioning the directing segments between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The directing segments, in the deployed configuration, extend beyond the base structure in a direction transversal to the inlet flow direction and deflect the fluid towards an outer circumference of the plurality of turbine blades corresponding to a higher torque area of the blades. A directing system for directing fluid entering a cross-flow turbine is also disclosed. In the cross-flow turbine, the fluid is directed towards a centerline of the rotor of the turbine, which is a high torque area of the turbine blades.

1 . A directing system for directing fluid entering an axial flow turbine along an inlet flow direction, said turbine comprising a plurality of turbine blades, said directing system comprising:
 a base structure;   a plurality of directing segments attached to the base structure;   a directing segment adjustment system for adjustably positioning the directing segments between:
 a retracted configuration; and 
 a deployed configuration; 
   and   an outer shroud surrounding a circumference of the turbine blades,   
       wherein the directing segments, in the deployed configuration, extend beyond the base structure in a direction transversal to the inlet flow direction and deflect the fluid towards an outer circumference of the plurality of turbine blades. 
     
     
         2 . The directing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is fixed to a central rotating shaft of the turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The directing system as described in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of directing segments are overlapping segments radially positioned around the base structure, and the directing segment adjustment system comprises:
 a set of tension rods holding the directing segments in place; and   a motorized threaded nut system traveling along a threaded portion of the central shaft and displacing the base structure in relation to an axial displacement of the directing segments.   
     
     
         4 . The directing system as described in  claim 2 , wherein the turbine blades are housed between an inner annular shroud and the outer shroud, the base structure extends radially up to the inner annular shroud and the directing segments extend to a maximum diameter corresponding to a diameter of the outer shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The directing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the base structure is at least 0.3 times a diameter of a rotor of the turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The directing system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a compressor fan positioned upstream of the base structure and increasing velocity of the fluid entering the turbine. 
     
     
         7 . The directing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the directing segment adjustment system comprises a controller and the directing system further comprises a fluid velocity measurement system located upstream of the base structure and producing a signal indicative of fluid velocity entering the turbine, and wherein the controller adjusts the directing segment adjustment system based on the signal indicative of fluid velocity entering the turbine. 
     
     
         8 . A directing system for directing fluid entering a cross-flow turbine along an inlet flow direction, said turbine comprising a rotor, said rotor comprising a plurality of turbine blades, said directing system comprising:
 an inlet directing fluid towards the turbine;   a plurality of directing segments attached to the inlet; and   a directing segment adjustment system for adjustably positioning the directing segments between:
 a retracted configuration; and 
 a deployed configuration, 
   
       wherein the directing segments, in the deployed configuration, extend beyond the inlet in a direction transversal to the inlet flow direction and direct the fluid towards a centerline of a rotor of the turbine. 
     
     
         9 . The directing system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of directing segments are two inlet side deflectors pivotably attached to the inlet and the directing segment adjustment system comprises a pair of actuators for pivoting the two side deflectors with respect to the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The directing system as described in  claim 9 , further comprising an outlet directing fluid away from the turbine, a second set of two outlet side deflectors pivotably attached to the outlet and a second pair of actuators for pivoting the second set of the two outlet side deflectors with respect to the outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The directing system as described in  claim 8 , further comprising a set of adjustably positionable side baffle plates concentrically positioned within an outer circumference of the rotor of the turbine. 
     
     
         12 . The directing system as described in  claim 11 , further comprising a set of baffle plate actuators for adjustably positioning the side baffle plates based on a corresponding configuration of the inlet side deflectors. 
     
     
         13 . The directing system as described in  claim 12 , wherein the set of adjustable baffle plates are supported by a set of support bars attached to a shroud surrounding the turbine. 
     
     
         14 . The directing system as described in  claim 8 , wherein the directing segment adjustment system comprises a controller and the directing system further comprises a fluid velocity measurement system located upstream of the inlet and producing a signal indicative of fluid velocity entering the turbine, and wherein the controller adjusts the directing segment adjustment system based on the signal indicative of fluid velocity entering the turbine. 
     
     
         15 . The directing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is fixed to a fixed shaft supported by a turbine frame.