Linear pelton turbine

Abstract

Systems and methods related to linear turbine systems are presented. Each embodiment described herein may be designed as a single-stage, linear, impulse turbine system. In an embodiment, a linear turbine includes a first shaft extending along a first axis; a second shaft extending along a second axis, the second axis being separated from and substantially parallel to the first axis; a first plurality of buckets to travel a first continuous path around the first shaft and the second shaft along a first plane, the first path including a first substantially linear path segment between the first axis and the second axis; and a nozzle configured to direct a first fluid jet to contact the first plurality of buckets in the first linear path segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A linear turbine system, comprising:
 a first shaft extending along a first axis;   a second shaft extending along a second axis, the second axis being separated from and substantially parallel to the first axis;   a plurality of buckets that travel a first continuous path around the first shaft and the second shaft along a first plane, the first path including a first substantially linear path segment between the first axis and the second axis, a first substantially arc-shaped segment around the second axis, a second substantially linear path segment between the second axis and the first axis, and a second substantially arc-shaped segment around the first axis; and   a nozzle configured to direct a fluid jet to contact the plurality of buckets in the first substantially linear path segment; and   a depower system configured to cause rapid degradation of efficiency of the turbine system at an over-speed condition.   
     
     
         2 . The linear turbine system of  claim 1 , the depower system comprising:
 a deflector, the deflector arranged to selectively divert a portion of the fluid jet away from the bucket.   
     
     
         3 . The linear turbine system of  claim 2 , wherein the deflector includes a pivot plate. 
     
     
         4 . The linear turbine system of  claim 3 , wherein the pivot plate is arranged between the nozzle and the plurality of buckets. 
     
     
         5 . The linear turbine system of  claim 1 , the depower system comprising:
 a deflector arranged exterior to a path followed by the plurality of buckets such that the deflector directs fluid that exits one of the plurality of buckets into a rear surface of an adjacent bucket.   
     
     
         6 . The linear turbine system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system to control the depower system in increments. 
     
     
         7 . A method of depowering a linear turbine system, the method comprising:
 distributing, via a nozzle, a jet of fluid to a plurality of buckets of a linear turbine system causing the plurality of buckets to travel a path around a first axis and a second axis; and   depowering the linear turbine system by rapidly degrading an efficiency of the linear turbine system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 actuating a flow deflector of the linear turbine system such that the deflector selectively diverts a portion of the jet of fluid away from the plurality of buckets.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 pivoting a deflector plate arranged between the nozzle and the plurality of buckets to divert the portion of the jet of fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 actuating a flow deflector arranged exterior to a path followed by the plurality of buckets; and   directing, with the flow deflector, fluid that exits one of the plurality of buckets into a rear surface of an adjacent bucket.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 depowering the linear turbine system by an efficiency increment.   
     
     
         12 . A linear turbine bucket comprising:
 a front surface having a concave curvature to receive a fluid jet from a first direction and turn the fluid jet toward a second direction; and   a rear surface to connect the linear turbine bucket to a linear turbine blade comprising the linear turbine bucket.   
     
     
         13 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 12 , wherein a cross-section of the concave curvature taken along a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bucket is a portion of a conic curve. 
     
     
         14 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 13 , wherein a projective discriminant of the conic curve is a range from approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.6. 
     
     
         15 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 12 , further comprising a rounded leading edge. 
     
     
         16 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a base;   a top;   a left side; and   a right side,   wherein the fluid jet is configured to enter the bucket at the base and exit the bucket at the top, and   wherein a bucket width extends from the left side to the right side.   
     
     
         17 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 16 , wherein the bucket width is a range from approximately 100 mm to approximately 1000 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 16 , wherein the bucket width has a range from approximately 1.5 to approximately 6 times the size of a height of the fluid jet,
 wherein the height of the fluid jet extends along a width direction and the bucket width extends along the width direction.   
     
     
         19 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 12 , wherein the bucket is configured to be attached to the turbine blade comprising the bucket. 
     
     
         20 . The linear turbine bucket of  claim 19 , further comprising a reinforced rib, the reinforced rib being positioned along a centerline of the bucket and being configured to receive a fastener to attach the bucket to the turbine blade.