Method for reducing hydraulic turbine seal temperature while turbine runner is rotating in air

摘要

A method is disclosed for admitting high pressure air to the seals of a hydraulic turbine runner which is rotating in a gas such as air. The high pressure air reduces the temperature of the seal and at the same time maintains a desired air pressure in the runner casing. Means are also provided to permit evacuation of air or gas from the runner casing to reduce the pressure therein below atmospheric pressure to decrease the windage losses of the rotating runner and permit lower pressure cooling air or gas to be applied to the runner seals.