Peltons

Peltons may refer to the Pelton wheel, a type of impulse turbine used to convert the energy of high-head water into mechanical energy, or to people bearing the surname Pelton. The term appears in engineering literature as well as in biographical references.

The Pelton wheel consists of a circular runner with buckets mounted around its rim. A high-pressure water jet is directed at the buckets, which are typically spoon-shaped and double-curved. When the jet strikes a bucket, the water’s momentum is redirected, imparting a turning force to the runner while the jet exits with reduced velocity. Pelton wheels are designed for high-head, low- to moderate-flow conditions and can be configured with one or more jets. They are classified as impulse turbines, meaning most energy transfer occurs through change in momentum rather than pressure in the surrounding casing.

History and use: The wheel was developed by Lester Allan Pelton, an American inventor, in the late 19th century, and it quickly became a standard in hydroelectric power generation at high head locations. Pelton wheels were favored for mountainous or high-head sites and for certain mining or irrigation projects. In modern practice, they remain in service in many hydroelectric facilities, often in new or retrofitted installations where head heights are favorable.

Notable people: Pelton is a surname, with Lester Allan Pelton being the most prominent figure associated with the Pelton wheel, credited with its development in the late 19th century.