FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to versatile lifting cum turning device for Pelton and Francis
type hydro turbines. More particularly the invention relates to an arrangement
for safe lifting and turning Pelton and Francis runners of wide ranges of sizes
without damage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pelton and Francis type hydro turbines need to be lifted a number of times and
also turned upside down during the process of machining and hard coating. The
existing methods are not quite safe and often lead to damage of runner surfaces.
Prior Art-1
1. Lifting bv steel wire rope Slings
Figure 2 shows a conventional method of a Francis runner (2) comprising the
steps of wrapping two steel wire rope Slings (3) around runner blades and
attaching them to a crane hook. Thus, when the weight of runner is borne by the
runner blades, the blade edges and surfaces get damaged by the hard steel wire
rope. Soft packing material is put between the steel wire rope sling and runner
surfaces.

However, the soft packing often gets cut during lifting and the runner surfaces
get damaged. Even if the sheet metal is additionally used to prevent such
damage, the metal sheets often slip during lifting, leading to sudden and high
jerks during lifting of the runner.
As shown in figure 1, Pelton runner (1) is lifted by wrapping steel wire rope
Slings (3) around buckets. In this process, the edges of the runner buckets more
particularly the splitter edge of the buckets often get damaged.
2. Turning
Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate that for turning a Francis runner (2) upside
down, at least two Slings (3) are wrapped around opposite end of blades, and
then using two crane hooks, the runner is lifted up and then with necessary
maneuvering of the crane hooks, the runner is turned upside down in stages.
These are very unsafe activities and in the process, the Slings (3) undergo
permanent damages and also the runner flow surfaces and blade edges often
get damaged.
As shown in figures 9 (a) and 9(b), Pelton runner (1) is turned upside down in a
similar fashion often ending up with damage to both the runner and Slings (3).

Prior art-2
Lifting & turning using polyester Slinas
Lifting of Francis and Pelton runners (1) is also done in some cases, by wrapping
polyester sling around the runner blades or buckets, which although is
reasonably safe but the process of turning the Francis and Peiton runners (1)
upside down is quite a risky process as sometimes the polyester slings (3) get
cut by the sharp edges of runner.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a versatile and safe
arrangement for lifting and turning various sizes and types of Pelton and Francis
type hydro turbines runners without causing any damage to either the runner
surface or the slings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the versatile device for lifting safely lifts
Pelton and Francis runners without causing any damage to splitter edges of the
Pelton runner buckets and blade edges and surfaces of the Francis runner. The
device also ensures prevention of damages to the Slings. Also according to the

present invention, the versatile device for turning provides a safe and convenient
turning as opposed to the unsafe and crude turning methods of prior art. The
device for turning is adaptable to a wide range of sizes and different types of
runners like Pelton and Francis runners of low, medium, and high head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig - 1. Prior art method of lifting of Pelton runner using Slings
Fig - 2 Prior art method of lifting of Francis runner using Slings
Fig - 3 Isometric view of a versatile device for lifting according to the
invention.
a) In close position
b) In open position
Fig - 4 Component details of the versatile lifting device of the present
invention.
Fig - 5 View showing the versatile lifting devices of the invention pulled
inwards and being lowered into a Pelton runner.

Fig - 6 View showing the versatile lifting device of figure 3, the invention
pulled inwards and being lowered into a Francis runner.
Fig - 7 View showing the versatile lifting device of figure 5 expanded
outwards and the Pelton runner being lifted.
Fig - 8 View showing the versatile lifting device of figure 5 expanded
outwards and the Francis runner being lifted.
Figs 9(a) and 9(b) shows a prior art method of turning of Pelton runner using
Slings.
Figs 10(a) and 10(b) shows a prior art method of turning of Francis runner using
Slings.
Fig - 11 Isometric view of a versatile turning device according to the
invention.
Fig - 12 Component details of the versatile turning device of the invention.
Fig - 13 Isometric view of a Pelton runner placed on lower lifting beams and
top beams being lowered by the device of figure 11.

Fig -14 Isometric view of a Pelton runner clamped within the versatile
turning device of figure 11
Fig -15 View showing turning of a Pelton runner through 90° from
horizontal to vertical position by the device of figure 11.
Fig - 16 View showing turning of Pelton runner through the next 90° to the
upside down position by the device of figure 11.
Fig - 17 Isometric view of a medium head Francis runner placed on lower
lifting beams and top beams being lowered by the device of figure
11.
Fig - 18 Isometric view of a medium head Francis runner clamped within
versatile turning device of figure 11.
Fig - 19 View showing turning of Francis runner through 90° from horizontal
to vertical position by the device of figure 11.
Fig - 20 View showing turning of Francis runner through the next 90° to the
upside down position by the device of figure 11.

Fig - 21 Isometric view of a low head Francis runner placed on lower lifting
beams and top beams being lowered by the device of figure 11.
Fig - 22 Isometric view of a high head Francis runner placed on lower lifting
beams and top beams being lowered by the device of figure 11.
Fig - 23 Isometric view of a low head Francis runner clamped within
versatile turning device of figure 11.
Fig - 24 Isometric view of a high head Francis runner clamped within
versatile turning device of figure 11.
List of Items
1. Pelton runner
2. Francis runner
3. Slings
4. Wooden block
5. 'L' shaped lifting plates consisting of:

a) Vertical plate with horn like hooks
b) Horizontal semicircular plate
c) Stopper pin

6. Central coupler rod
7. Collared nut with R.H. threads
8. Collared nut with L.H. threads
9. Retaining slotted ring nuts
10. Locking keys
11. Lifting beam
12. 'V' block small
13. 'V' block large
14. Turn buckle coupler rod
15. L.H. eye end
16. R.H. Eye end
17. Clamping bolts
18. Washer
19. Beam connecting bar
20. Cover plate
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses an arrangement comprising:
a versatile device for lifting Francis and Pelton runners in normal upright
position; and
a versatile device for turning Francis and Pelton runners upside down.

Each of the two devices constituting the innovative arrangement is now
discussed in detail.
A versatile device for lifting Francis and Pelton runners (2.1) comprises the
following items:-
a pair of 'L' shaped lifting plate (5) consisting of:
a) a horizontal plate (5a);
b) a vertical plate with horn like hooks (5b);
c) a plurality of Stopper pins (5c);
d) a Bronze protection layer;
a Central coupler rod (6);
a Collared nut RH Threads (7);
a Collared nut LH Threads (8); and
a Retaining slotted ring nut (9).

The horizontal plates (5a) are slightly semicircular in shape and the vertical plate
(5b) having horn-like hooks at the top end. The horizontal plate (5a) is provided
with the bronze protection layer either by weld deposition or fixed by a screw.
Small cylindrical pins are welded at the junction between the vertical and
horizontal plates (5a, 5b). The 'L' shaped lifting plates (5) facing in opposite
directions are joined by means of a turn-buckle (14). The turn-buckle (14)
comprises of the central coupler rod (6) with right hand and left hand threads on
either end. The central cylindrical portion of the rod (6) has radial holes which
are used for turning the coupler using a Tommy bar. The central coupler rod (6)
engages into the left hand and right hand collared nuts (7, 8).
The collared coupler nuts (7, 8) have left hand or right hand threads on the inner
diameter, slot on the collar for locking and threads on a stepped diameter for
engaging with retaining ring nut.
The collared coupler nuts (7, 8) are assembled on the lifting plates (5). The
retaining ring nut (9) is assembled on the inner side of lifting plate (5). The
central coupler rod (6) engages into the left hand and right hand coupler nuts (7,
8) which in-turn is assembled in the lifting plates (5) with the retaining nut (9).
Rotation of the collared nut (7, 8) in lifting plates (5) is prevented by putting a
rectangular locking piece (10) in the slot of collared nut (7, 8)and welding with
the lifting plate (5). Also the retaining nut (9) is welded to the collared lock nuts
(7, 8).

Thus when the coupler rod (6) is turned in one direction the lifting plates (5) are
pulled together and when the coupler rod (6) is turned in the reverse direction
the lifting plates (5) are pushed apart.
a) Method of using the lifting device
The 'L' shaped lifting plates (5) are pulled inwards towards each other by
turning the coupler rod (6) using the tommy bar (14). The lifting device is
then lifted from the horn like projections by rams-horn hook of a crane using
at least two wire rope Slings (3). The lifting device is then inserted through a
spigot bore and then by the coupler rod (6) the lifting plates (5) are pulled
apart to tighten against the spigot bore till stopped on the bore by the
stopper pins (5c).
Now when the lifting bracket is pulled up by the crane, the horizontal plates
(5, 6) lift the runner (1, 2). In other words, the runner (1, 2) gets suspended
from the lifting bracket by the lifting plates (5).
b) Versatile turning device
The versatile turning device is used to turn upside down the Pelton runner (1)
of various sizes and Francis runners (2) of various sizes and shapes.

The turning device basically consists of top and bottom pairs of lifting beams
(11) and V blocks (12,13).
One 'V' block (12, 13) is permanently fixed to the bottom pair of the beams (11)
on the extreme end. The runner (1, 2) to be turned upside down whether Pelton
or Francis is placed on the fixed 'V' block while the runner (1, 2) is still
suspended from the crane hook the adjustable 'V' block (13) is pushed towards
the runner (1, 2) till the 'V' block (13) touches the outer diameter of
runner (1, 2). The adjustable 'V' block (13) is then tightened with the bottom
pair of lifting beams (11).
The top pair of lifting beams (11) along with the adjustable 'V' blocks (13) bolted
on them is lowered on the top of the runner (1, 2). The top 'V' block are pushed
and tightened against the outer diameter of runner (1, 2) and tightened on the
top pair of lifting beams (11). Then using two pairs of turn-buckles (14), the
runner (1, 2) is clamped between the top and bottom pairs of lifting beams (11)
via the 'V' blocks (12, 13).
Turning operation of the runner (1, 2) from horizontal position to vertical position
is carried out using two crane hooks. After the runner (1, 2) along with lifting
beams (1) is turned to the vertical position, the runner (1, 2) along with the

turning device is made to rest in the vertical position. Next, the lifting points
from the crane hooks are changed and the runner (1, 2) along with turning
device is turned from the vertical to the horizontal upside down position with
careful coordinated crane hook movements.
After the runner (1, 2) is turned to its upside down position the turning device is
opened out and the runner (1, 2) is taken to the next manufacturing operation.

WE CLAIM:
1. An arrangement for lifting and turning Pelton and Francis runners (1, 2)
during machining and hard coating comprising:
a lifting device comprising a pair of 'L' brackets (5) joined together by
a central coupler rod (6) engaging a right hand and left hand collared
nuts (7, 8) fixed in a 'L' bracket (5) by retaining nuts (9); and
a turning device comprising a pair of lifting beams (11) on which at
least two pairs of "V" blocks are fixed to accommodate the runner, the
runner (1, 2) being clamped by top pair of the 'V' blocks (12, 13), at
least four turnbuckles (14) at the corners of the turning device to
clamp the runner with the 'V' blocks, the clamped runners (1, 2)
turned upside down by a crane.

2. a- For using the lifting brackets the 'L' brackets are pulled inwards by the
coupler rod for insertion into the runner bore, wherein the 'L' brackets
are pushed apart till stopped by a plurality of the stopper pins against the
runner bore, and wherein the 'L' brackets when lifted by crane hook and
Slings (3), the runner is lifted-up.
b- The arrangement turning device comprising a pair of lifting beams (11)
on which at least two pairs of 'V' blocks are fixed to accommodate the
the runner (1,2) being clamped by top pair of 'V' blocks (12,13), at
least four turnbuckles (14) at the corners of the turning device to clamp
the runner with the 'V' blocks, the clamped runners (1, 2) turned upside
down by a crane as clamped in claim 1.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an arrangement for lifting and turning Pelton and Francis
runners (1, 2) during machining and hard coating comprising a lifting device
comprising a pair of 'L' brackets (5) joined together by a central coupler rod (6)
engaging a right hand and left hand collared nuts (7, 8) fixed in a 'L' bracket (5)
by retaining nuts (9); and a turning device comprising a pair of lifting beams (11)
on which at least two pairs of "V" blocks are fixed to accommodate the runner,
the runner (1, 2) being clamped by top pair of the 'V' blocks (12, 13), at least
four turnbuckles (14) at the corners of the turning device to clamp the runner
with the 'V' blocks, the clamped runners (1, 2) turned upside down by a crane.