Hydropower plant

Abstract

There is provided a hydropower plant having a flow passage in the form of an S-pipe and having first, second and third portions. The flow passage has a first diameter and a first center line in the first portion and a second diameter and a second center line in the third portion. A spacing is provided between the first and second center lines. The hydropower plant further has turbine blades in the first portion and a generator coupled to the turbine blades by a shaft in the third portion. The flow passage substantially comprises steel in the region of the generator.

1 . A hydropower plant comprising
 a flow passage in the form of a pipe and having first, second and third portions, wherein the flow passage has a first diameter and a first center line in the first portion and a second diameter and a second center line in the third portion, wherein a spacing is provided between the first and second center lines,   turbine blades in the first portion and a generator coupled to the turbine blades by a shaft in the third portion,   wherein the flow passage substantially comprises steel in the region of the generator in the third portion.   
     
     
         2 . A hydropower plant as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the ratio between a length of the second portion to the spacing between the first and second center lines is between 2 and 4. 
     
     
         3 . A hydropower plant as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the ratio between the length and the spacing is 3. 
     
     
         4 . A hydropower plant as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a foundation for the generator is provided in the region of a roof of the flow passage in the third portion and is preferably in the form of a steel structure. 
     
     
         5 . A hydropower plant as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the foundation is of such a design configuration that it can carry away the hydrodynamic loads in the flow passage in the third portion. 
     
     
         6 . A hydropower plant as set forth in  claim 1  comprising a first and/or second enlargement at the first and/or third portion.