Inventors:
Harry D. Troyen - Reading PA
International Classification:
F03B 1310
Abstract:
A conduit construction which enhances the flow of liquid to a turbine when the rate of flow from the liquid source is low, and which limits the flow to the turbine when the flow rate from the source is high. The turbine is placed in a branch conduit which communicates with the interior of a larger main conduit through an opening in the side of the main conduit near its bottom. A flow diverter in the form of a vertically concave wall extends from the downstream side of the opening across the bottom segment of the main conduit, curving upstream as it does so; the wall stops below the top of the interior of the main conduit, leaving room for liquid to flow over it. When the flow rate is small, the diverter collects all of the liquid stream in the main conduit and delivers it to the branch conduit; when the flow in the main conduit becomes excessively high, it flows in part over the diverter, thus mitigating the tendency for the liquid to back up in the main conduit.