Alstom Technology Limited

Alstom Power Hydro

Bernard Michel

Georges Rossi

Louis Finet

Francois Paquet

Francis Freynet

A Francis runner that includes a crown, a band and blades which extend between the crown and the band. An angle (&#x3b2;) between a linear speed (U, D) of one of the blades and a median of the blade at the trailing edge, has a value between 20 and 25&#xb0;. As a result, a machine utilizing the Francis runner of the invention is efficient, while an equivalent power under high load is high.

Francis wheel and hydraulic machine comprising one such wheel

The invention concerns a method which consists in: pre-positioning, in a housing ( ) of a flange ( ), a bucket ( ) supported by part ( ) of its outer surface ( ) against an edge ( ) of the housing ( ) providing a space (E&prime;) between the convex surface ( B) of the outer radial part ( B) of the bucket ( ) and said edge ( ); producing an articulated linkage ( ) of the bucket ( ) on the rim ( ) and/or the flange ( ) on the inside ( A) of the bucket ( ); exerting on the outer radial part ( B) of the bucket ( ) a first calibrated force to bring it closer to the edge ( ); determining the distance (e) between said outer radial part ( B) and said edge ( ) under said force; slackening said force; arranging, between said outer radial part ( B) and said edge ( ), a wedge ( ) having a thickness substantially equal to said distance (e); and exerting on the outer radial part ( B) of the bucket a second force (F ) to bringing it closer to the edge and maintaining said second force (F ) which has an intensity not less than that of the first force.

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Vaulnaveys le Bas, France

Bernard Michel