US1642253A - Hydraulic gate - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 13, 1927.

w. 5. LEE ET AL HYDRAULIC GATE Filed Ocjc. 4, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORS v Pt i! Ham 8'- L 22 "Richard Pfa 6h BY Den/(Ia Nabaw ler TTORNEY Sept. 13, 1927.

W. S. LEE ET AL HYDRAULIC GATE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 901;. 4. 1924 I l J IN VEN TORS William .9. Lee Richard PfaeZ/f BY Dav id Naow TTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 13, 1927.

w. 5. LEE ETIAL HYDRAULIC GATE Filed Oct. 4. i924 Patented Sept. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM s. we, RICHARD PFAEHLER, AND DAVID NABOW, or CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

HYDRAULIC GATE.

Application filed Octoher 4, 1924. Serial Ito. 741,575.

This invention is an improvement hydraulic gates, and withrespect to its more specific features, in gates of the butterfly yr Gates of the charactenin question are large and heavy and difficult totransport in a. unitary structure, Moreover because of the great pressure of the water which they are designedto control, it is difficult to secure a liquid-tight joint between the gate and the frame. The pressure exerted by the water tends to cause deflection of the gate, and this deflection is along oneaxis of the gate, the axis upon which the gate swings.

. It is desirablethat along this line thegate be particularly resistant to bending stresses, but it may be less resistant along other axes. A feasible method of obtaining this increased resistance with a minimum inereasein cost, is to make the gate of greater thickness along the saidaxis. I There is a limit, however, beyond which increase in size is not practical, and additional strength must be gained by the use of materials of a nature more resistant to the peculiar stresses than those usually used, with a consequent increase in the cost t-b g s,

Thegates are usually operated to open and close by a rigid connecting member, which is moved longitudinally, ineitherdirection by a suitablemotor. The gates are usuallyat a distance from the motor, and the operator thereof isnot in a position to know when they are fully closed. An indicator is relied upon, and if thereis-adelay in the checking of the motor at the proper time over travelof the rigid connecting member results, with consequent'liability to buckling orbending of the same.

An object of the present inventio'nis to provide a gate of a character such that any portion thereof along a selected axis may be of a material highly resistant to the stresses to which itwill be subjected, while the remainder of the gate is of a material less highly resistant and less expensive, the arrangement permitting also the gate to be iiiatle in sections for convenience in trans-- portation and setting.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may be hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the elements and their relationone to the other, as hereinafter defined in theappended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, Which show a preferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying out the method, andin which:

, F 1 is a vertical section through the penstock and gate.

2 is a lan View of the gate looking at the inlet sidii. I Figs, 3, 4, 5 and 6,. are sections on thelines 3 3; 44; 55 and 66, respectively, of Fig. 2. I I I I I Fig? is an enlarged detailin section at the edge of ,the gate, showing the sealing mechanism for the edge. a I

F ig. 8 is a detail in section of the opposite edge of the gate,

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9 of Fig. 1-.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the mechanism for moving the screw.

In the present embodiment of the invention the improved I, gate is shown in connection with a penstock -1, the gate to be describedbeing arranged in a passage 2, leading from the bottom of the pen-stock, and nearthe commencement of the said passage. The usual rack 3 is provided for fending drift froni thegate. I I. I II The improyed gate comprises a central section or axis .7, substantially square in cross sectio and preferably of material develo.pi ng s light deflection under relatively high stresses, as for instance, cast steel, and lateral sections or wings 8 and 9, which may be of a material having lower tensile and deflectingproperties, as for instance, cast 1ro1i. The wings 8 and 9 are somewhat similar, and they are secured to opposite sides of the central section. or aXis by connections at each faceof the gate, the connections at one face being, entirely independent of those at the-other face.

In the present instance at the inlet face of the gate, that is that face toward which the water flows, tl ie wings are directly connected across the fajce of the central portion, by means of a series of connecting means 10, holts in the present instance. Referring to Figs. 2, a and 5 it will be noticed that each of the wings is provided on the inlet face of the gate with a groovell extending parallel with the axis of the gate, and there is a series of parallel grooves 12 extending from each groove ll toward the central section of the gate. The inlet face of the central section of the gate is recessed at the center thereof along the axis of the gate as iiidicated at 13, and a plurality of series of transversely extending grooves 14 is provided one at each side of the recess 13 and communicating therewith. The grooves 14 of the two series are in alinement, and they are spaced to aline with the grooves 12 of the wings, when the wings are properly placed with respect to the central section. Thus there is provided, when the parts are properly placed, a series of alining, transverse passages connecting the grooves 11 of the wings, and the connecting means, for directly connecting the wings are received within these passages. The bolts are arranged in the passages above mentioned, with the heads of the bolts in the groove 11 of one wing, and the nuts 10 of the bolts in the groove of the other wing. By means of the nuts the wings may be drawn tightly against the central section. lVhile bolts and nuts are shown for directly connecting the wings, any other character of connection might be used with equal facility.

At the opposite face of the gate, the sections of the gate, that is the axis and the win s, are connected by a plurality of series of bolts and nuts 15. Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that'the axis of the gate and the wings are chambered, being in fact of hollow construction, and the bolts 15 are passed through openings in the webs or walls of the chambers. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the webs or walls 16 and 17 of the central and lateral sections respectively, do not abut, except near the faces of the gate, the central sections of the web being spaced apart. The bolts 15 are passed through these walls, and through reinforcing lugs 18 from within the axis, the nuts engaging the bolts within the chambers at the wings. A series of bolts and nuts 15 is provided for connecting each wing to the axis.

The axis 7 of the gate is shown as chambered, and at each end it is provided with means for mounting the gate to swing upon a diametrical axis, that is upon the axis of the central portion. The said means in the present instance are trunnions 19, a trunnion being provided at each end of the gate, and the trunnions are suitably journalled in the walls of the pen stock. In the present instance passages 20 are provided, leading from the top of the pen stock to the point where the trunnions are jour nalled, to facilitate the setting of the gate, or the removal thereof. Suitable bushing members 21, preferably of bronze, may be provided for the trunnions.

In order to provide a tight joint between the upper wing edge and the wall of the passageway, angle pieces 22 are inset in the top and side walls of the passage, being held in place by anchor bolts 23. One portion of each angle piece projects beyond .the face of the Wall, and a strip 24 of resilient material, as for instance thin copper, is secured to this extended portion of each piece, by means of bolts and nuts 25. The extended angle pieces 22 are inset in positions, such that when the gate is closed, the edge of the upper wing remote from the axis of the gate will register with the extended portion of each angle piece, and will contact with the resilient strip 24. \Vhen the gate is closed the strips span the opening at the free edges of the wing, making a watertight joint, since the water pressure forces the strips into close contact with the gate. In order to prevent the strips 24 from being bent out of shape by the rush of water when the gate is open or by the passage of the drift, a shield 26, is arranged on the inlet side of each strip, each shield being in the form of an angle bar, one portion secured to the opposite wall by screw bolts 27 or the like, and the other extending in front of the adjacent strip 24 on the inlet side.

Mechanism is provided for moving the gate to open and closed position, the said mechanism including a suitable motor, indicated at 28, of any preferred construction, and a rigid connecting member 29 for transmitting the movement of the motor to the gate. The connecting member 29 is pivoted at one end to the gate, and at the other end to a cross head 30, which moves in guides 31 on the pen stock wall. The cross head is connected to means moved directly by the motor, as for instance, a screw 31, and it will be obvious that when the screw is moved in either direction, by the motor, the movement thereof will be transmitted to the gate. At its lower end the connecting member is received between a pair of lugs 32 on the gate, and near that edge of the gate which will be lowest when the gate is closed. Alos't motion connection is provided between the cross-head and the gate. In the present instance this connection is provided for by pivotally and slidably connecting the connecting member to the lugs, by means of a cross pin 33 connecting thelugs and passing through a slot 34 in the connecting member. A lost motion connection is thus provided between the motor and the gate, to compensate for over travel of the motor.

In order to insure closing of the gate in all positions, should the connecting member 29 become broken, for instance, or fail to function for any reason, the gate is suitably counter-weighted. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noticed that the wings 8 and 9 taper toward their free edges, and that a portion of each wing adjacent to the free edge is solid, as indicated at 35 and 36, respectively. The solid portion 36 is of greater width than the portion 35, thus providing additional weight at that portion of the gate which will be lowest when the gate is closed. Addiemma tional weig t may be necessary'at this side, and means is provided to facilitate the addition of more weight. The said means'is in the form of rods 37, which are cast integral with the counter-weight 36, so that additional weight may be connected therewith, as for instance, more metal, or concrete, the additional weight being inserted through sundry of the openings 38, with which the webs and Walls of the aXis and wings are provided. In order to facilitate-the handling of thegate port-ions during transportation, or during installation, perforated lugs 39 are provided on the inlet face of the wings, the said lugs being adapted for the attachment :of hoisting or securing mechanism. It will be noticed,

referring to Fig. 4, that the openings 38 are on the outletside of the gate, none being provided on the inlet side.

In order to facilitate opening of the gate, which involves the lifting of the counterweighted side of the gate, and against the weight of water, the wing 8 is of some greater width than the wing 9. Since the improved gate is used in practically a horizontal plane, the horizontal component of the water is substantially negligible.

In Fig. 10 mechanism is shown for moving the screw, which opens and closes the gate, means being provided in connection therewith, operated by the screw, to control the usual overload release forming part of the motor control thereby to stop the motor when the gate is fully closed.

As shown, the screw 31 is threaded through a nut 40 arranged within a gear housing 41 supported at the top of the penstock.

The nut 40 has rigid therewith a miter gear wheel 42, which :meshes with .a similar gear 48 on a' horizontal stub-shaft 44 journaled in bearings, supported by .the gear housing. A gear 45 is secured to the shaft outside of the gear housing, and the wheel meshes with a pinion 46 on :the shaft 147 of a suitable electric motor 48. By means of the motor, the nut 40 may 'be rotated, thereby to lift and lower the screw, to open and close the gate.

Just above the miter gear 42 a pair of disks 49 and 50 is mounted, loosely on the screw, and the disks, which are withinan extension 51 of the gear housing, are normally pressed away from each other bycoil springs 52, the said springs being arranged'b'etween The lower disk 50 rests upon 'a the disks. collar 58 which is rigid with the miter gear and nut, and whichhas a friction ring '54 secured to the edge'thereof, for "engagement bythe disk. A head is threaded onto the upper end ofthe screw, the head extending through the upper end of theextension 49, into a substantially cylindrical casing 56, which is supported by the head of the extension'5'1, being secured thereto.

scribed.

The 0 eration of the parts just described, is as f0 lows. When the motor is running, the screw 31 will be moved longitudinally, the direction depending upon the direction of movement of the motor. When the screw is moved downward, and the gate is fully closed, should for any reason there be a failure to stop the motor, the head 55 will engage the disk 49 and will press the disk tlownward toward the disk The springs 52 arecom-pressed, andthe disk 50 is pressed closely against the friction ring 54 of the miter gear 42. As the friction increases, the load upon themotor increases, and when the increase has reached a selected degree. the

overload release of the motor control will be dicators 61 and 62, respectively operated by the screw, in a manner to be presently de- These indicators indicate the extent of travel. of the screw, and at the end of its movement in each direction, one of the indicators will engage a rocker to open the motor circuit. On the upstroke the rocker 5,9 is operated by the indicator 6-1, and on the downstroke the rocker is operated by the indicator '62. The indicators are connected-to the-head 55 by flexible members 63. which pass upwardly from the head over suitable pulleys '64 and downwardly to the respective indicators.

Manually controlled mechanism is provided for turning the shaft 44. The'saidinechanism comprises -a shaft 65 journaled in -a bearing arm .66 on the platform '67 which supports the motor and the gearhousing. and in a casing-'68 which houses the gears 45-a1'1d '46. The said shaft has loosely journalled thereon a pinion 69 meshing with thegear wheel 45, and the pinion may be coupled to the shaft 65 by a clutch 70. The clutch is operated by a lever 71. and a shaft wheel 72 is secured to the shaft 65 for turning the same. With this arrangement, when it is desired to operate the screw by hand, the clutch isoperated to connect the shaft 65 withthe pinion'69. 'lVhen nowthe shaft is rotated, the drive shaft 44 of the screw will also beoperated.

It will be evident from'the description that mechanism'is provided, in the form of limit switches for opening-thecircuit of1the motor at the limit ofthe travel of the screw in each direction. 7 .Othermec'hanism is provided, positively controlled-by theinovement of the screw, .for operating the overload'release of'the motor controlnearrthe limit of the -movement of the screw in each direction.

Furthermore, mechanism is provided for permitting the screw to be operated manually in case of an emergency. When the gate is closed, the pin and slot connection 33 34;, permits a limited movement of the screw atter the closing. It is during this period that the head 55 compresses the springs 52 to operate the overload release.

In practice a controlling switch for the current is installed in the power house, in order that the circuit may be controlled from this point. This is of especial advantage when the power house is at a distance from the gate house motor, and of especial im portance when the gate is used at the entrance ot the passageway to a water turbine. in case the turbine governor should fail to cause the turbine guide valves to be closed. In such event the motor could. be at once operated to close the gate. This switch is shown at 7 5 in Fig. 1, it being understood that the switch may be arranged wherever desired. The switch is interposed in the circuit 76 of the motor, and it will be obvious that the motor may be started or stopped by means of the switch. The switch may be arranged at any desired point, or other switches may be provided. if desired.

What is claimed as new is:

1.111 combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes in hydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gate and the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixed substantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of the gate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottom of the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of separable sections including an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when the gate is closed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and means connected with said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate to lift said wing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate.

2. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passage ways, such as pen stocks and turbine iiumes in hydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gate and the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixed substantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom or" the gate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottom of the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of sections including an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when the gate is closed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and means connected with said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate to lift said wing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate, each section having integral eyes for the attachment of hoisting mechanism and the like for handling the sections during transportation and installation.

3. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes in hydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gate and the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixed substantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of the gate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottom of the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of sections including an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when the gate is closed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and means connected with said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate to lift said wing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate, the axis having oppositely disposed plane substantially parallel faces, and the wings abutting said faces, and means to connect the wings to the axis at both faces of the gate.

a. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes in hydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gate and the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixed substantially horizontal axis intermediate the topand bottom of the gate,

sealing means on the passage walls engaged.

by the top and bottom oi the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of separable sections including an axis and wings, the axis having oppositely disposed plane substantially parallel faces, and the wings abutting said faces, and means at each face of the gate extending in the plane of the gate to connect the sections, each o1 the said means being independent of the other.

5. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stoeks and turbine iiunies in hydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gate and the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixed substantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of the gate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottom of the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction 01 flow through the passage, the gate composed of a'plurality of sections including an axis .and wings, the axis having oppositely disposed plane substantiallyparall'el faces, and the wings abutting said faces, and means to connect the sections at each face of the gate, each of the said con-' opposite walls of the assage way and the gate for supporting'the gate to swing on a relatively fixed axis, means on the passage way walls adapted to be engaged by the gate when said gate is in closed position substantially perpendicular to, the axis of the passage way, the gate comprisinga plurality of sections including an axis, and wings connected to the axis, the wing above the axis of greater width than the other for the purpose specified, said other wing counterweighted.

7. In combination, a gate comprising a central portion provided at its ends with means to mount the gate for swinging move ment, lateral wings connected to the central portion and extending in opposite directions therefrom, the central portion and each wing chambered, and rods in one of the wings extending into the chambers thereof for the purpose specified.

8. In combination, a gate comprising a central portion provided at its ends with means to mount the gate for swinging movement, lateral wings connected to the central portion and extending in opposite directions therefrom, the central portion and wings chambered, and means within the chambers of one wing to connect counterweighting material to the wing.

9. In combination, a passageway, a butterfly gate pivoted therein, and means cooperating with the gate for sealing the space between the gate and the passageway at the upper side of the gate, said means including a strip of resilient metal extending radially of the passageway against which the gate closes.

10. In combination, a passageway, a butterfly gate pivot-ed therein, means coopcrating with the gate for sealing the space between the gate and the passageway at the upper side of the gate, said means including a strip of resilient metal extending radially of the passageway against which the gate closes, and a rigid support for the strip.

11. In combination. a passageway, a butterfly gate pivoted therein, means cooperating with the gate for sealing the space between the gate and the passageway at the upper ide of the gate, said means including a resilient strip secured to the wall of the passageway and extending radially thereof and against which the gate closes, and a rigid guard extending from the passage'waywallbeyond the strip on the inlet side thereof. 7

12. A gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric power development, of sectional construction, comprising apliirality of separable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in cross section, and wings having plane edges of substantially the same thickness as the axis and abut-ting opposit'efaces of the axis, and means connecting the sections, said means extending in the plane of the sections separable and accessible to enable the assembling of the sections in the place of instalilation.

13. A gate for controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric power development, of sectional construction, comprising a plurality of separable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in cross section, and wings having plane edges abutting opposite sides of the axis and connected thereto, the connections being separable from the sections, located at both faces of the gate within the planes of said faces and accessible to enable assembling of the gate at the place of installation.

14L. A gatefor controlling the flow through relatively large passageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric power development, of sectional construct-ion, comprising a plurality of separable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in cross section, and wings having plane edges of substantially the same thickness as the axis and abutting opposite faces of the axis and connected thereto, the connections extending inthe plane of the gate and being separable from the sections and located at both faces of the gate, and within the planes of the said faces and accessible to enable assembling of the gate at the place of installation, the connections at one face being directly between the wings and spanning the axis.

15. A gate or valve for large passageways, comprising a plurality of independent sections, including an axis and wings, a plurality of removable connections between the wings and the axis at one side of the gate, and separate removable means directly connecting the wings across the axis at the other side of the gate, said means spanning the axis and independent thereof.

16. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a plurality of sections including an axis and wings, connections between the wings and the axis at the outlet side of the gate, and means directly connecting the wings across the axis at the inlet side of the gate, said means spanning the axis, and comprising headed members, the wings having spaced lugs between which the headed members pass, the heads engaging outside of the lugs.

17. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a plurality of sections including an axis and wings, connections beand comprising headed members, the wings having spaced lugs between which the headed members pass, the heads engaging outside the lugs, the axis having at each wing spaced lugs between which said means pass.

18. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a plurality of sections including an axis and wings, connections between the wings and the axis at the outlet side of the gate, and means directly connecting the wings across the axis at the inlet side of the gate, said means spanning the axis, and comprising headed members, the wings having spaced lugs between which the headed members pass, the heads engaging outside of the lugs, the first named connections comprising bolts. the sections chambered, and the bolts within the chambers, the sections at the outlet side of the gate having openings to enable access to the bolts.

Signed at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg, and State of North Carolina this sixth day of September A. D. 1924:.

WVILLIAM S. LEE. DAVID NABOW.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this third day of September A. D. 1924.

RICHARD PFAEHLER.

Images