Wicket gate end seal for hydraulic machine

Claim 1

In combination with a hydraulic machine including a plurality of wicket gates having at least one trunnion pivotally supported in stationary machine components located adjacent to opposite ends of the gates, means providing a liquid seal between said stationary components and said gate ends comprising: walls defining a groove in at least one end of said gates from the leading to trailing edge thereof, said groove being open to the end and one face of said gates; a plate releasably connected to the face of said gates and overlying said groove, said plate and the walls of said groove defining a fluid chamber having one open end overlying the adjacent stationary component when the gates are in a closed position; said means including a seal piston slidably contained within said chamber and replacable when said plate is removed; and fluid conduit means in fluid communication with said chamber to direct pressure fluid thereto for urging said piston seal into liquid sealing engagement with one of the stationary components.