Kaplan Turbine Blade & Guide Vane Cam Calculator
Optimize 3D cam relationship between wicket gate opening (α) and runner blade tilt (β), runaway speed multiplier, and axial hydraulic load.
Low-Head Kaplan Geometry
Cam Correlation & Runaway Dynamics
Recommended Tools & Equipment
Tested hardware and components for high reliability
Double-Regulated Kaplan Turbine Principles
Kaplan turbines are axial-flow reaction machines with adjustable wicket gates (guide vanes) and adjustable runner blades. An internal oil-hydraulic governor mechanism coordinates the blade tilt angle $\beta$ with wicket gate opening $\alpha$ according to a pre-programmed 3-dimensional cam curve.
High Runaway Speed Factor
Under sudden electrical load rejection if the runner blades remain at steep angles while guide vanes stick open, water flowing axially past the unloaded blades accelerates the rotor up to $2.6\times$ to $3.2\times$ synchronous speed. The generator rotor spider and pole coils must be designed to withstand these immense centrifugal loads.