Ge Renewable Technologies

Alain Mathieu

Antoine Bombenger

Erwan Pein

This method is for orientating the blades () of a turbine () past a non-reachable range of positions (&#x3b1;) in a power plant (), said blades () being rotatable around orientation axes (X) distinct from a rotation axis (X) of the turbine (), the turbine () comprising means () for orientating the blades (), said means being adapted to exert an adjustable torque on the blades (). The method comprises steps consisting in a) stopping the energy production of the turbine (), b) setting a water flow which runs the turbine () to a value inferior to a normal energy production value, c) rotating the turbine () in a motor mode using energy from a grid, d) adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades () to a reduced value while the turbine () is still rotating, so that the blades () are free to rotate around their orientation axes (X), under action of a hydraulic torque exerted by the water, past the non-reachable range of positions, e) once the blades () have overcome the non-reachable range of positions, adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades () to a normal value superior to the reduced value, so that the rotation of the blades () around their orientation axis (X) is stopped in a determined position.

Method for orientating the blades of a turbine

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.

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Grenoble, France

Alain Mathieu