Turbines and associated components, systems, and methods are described. In some embodiments, the turbine blades and turbines are configured to convert kinetic energy present in fluid (e.g., water) to other forms of energy (e.g., in a hydrokinetic energy system in a river or ocean) relatively efficiently and/or at relatively low cut-in speeds. The turbine blades may have a shape and/or include structural features that contribute at least in part to relatively high efficiency and/or relatively low cut-in speeds. In some embodiments, the turbine blades have a geometry similar to the geometry of a maple seed.

The application relates to unidirectional hydrokinetic turbines having an improved flow acceleration system that uses asymmetrical hydrofoil shapes on some or all of the key components of the turbine. These components that may be hydrofoil shaped include, e.g., the rotor blades (34), the center hub (36), the rotor blade shroud (38), the accelerator shroud (20), annular diffuser(s) (40), the wildlife and debris excluder (10, 18) and the tail rudder (60). The fabrication method designs various components to cooperate in optimizing the extraction of energy, while other components reduce or eliminate turbulence that could negatively affect other component(s).

A horizontal axis rotor that has high wind reception efficiency and does not easily break. The rotor comprises blades that have high rotational efficiency, and are appropriate for a windmill or a waterwheel. A plurality of blades (3) are fixed to a rotor (1) so as to radiate from a peripheral surface of a hub (2). Each blade (3) is a lift-type blade that, as seen from the front, has a chord length that gradually increases from a base end part (4A) toward a blade end (3G). Each blade (3) has a forwardly curving part (5) that extends from a radial direction center part (3A) of the blade (3) to the tip of the blade (3), and a forward end surface (5A) of a forwardly directed tip end of the forwardly curving part (5) being a lift-type surface that, as seen from the front, has a thick forward edge (5F).

A runner for a hydraulic turbine configured to reduce fish mortality. The runner includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each blade includes a root connected to the hub and a tip opposite the root. Each blade further includes a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, and a ratio of a thickness of the leading edge to a diameter of the runner can range from about 0.06 to about 0.35. Further, each blade has a leading edge that is curved relative to a radial axis of the runner.

A runner for a hydraulic turbine configured to reduce fish mortality. The runner includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each blade includes a root connected to the hub and a tip opposite the root. Each blade further includes a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, and a ratio of a thickness of the leading edge to a diameter of the runner can range from about 0.06 to about 0.35. Further, each blade has a leading edge that is curved relative to a radial axis of the runner.

The present invention relates to technologies or applications for the mitigation or adaptation to climate change, specifically to the generation of energy through renewable energy sources. In particular, the present invention provides a system for the continuous generation of renewable energy by harnessing ocean waves characterized in that it comprises: a first floating element positioned on the waves and operatively connected to a vertical assembly; a swing arm positioned on a fixed base and operatively connected at one end to said vertical assembly, and at the opposite end to a pair of pneumatic cylinders, wherein the movement of said swing arm alternately actuates each of the pneumatic cylinders comprising said pair of pneumatic cylinders; an air storage tank operatively connected to said pair of pneumatic cylinders; a turbine which is fed from said air storage tank, and which is operatively connected through its shaft to an electrical generator; an electrical substation operatively connected to said electrical generator, wherein said electrical substation is configured to store, manage and distribute the energy produced in said electrical generator; and a control system operatively connected to: said pair of pneumatic cylinders, said air storage tank, said turbine, said electrical generator, and said electrical substation; wherein said control system is configured to monitor and control each of the aforementioned.

A gate mechanism (20) is adapted for mounting within the extension (4) of a trawl net (1), the gate mechanism comprising a turbine (47/147/247) for powering rotation of the gate mechanism as it is dragged through the water within the trawl net.

This invention regards a hydraulic turbine (1) to operate in pressure circuits, where there is a flow of a fluid, to control the flow and pressure downstream the installation point. Even so, said turbine (1) can generate power for itself based on the difference of pressure and flow, as the remaining power can be used in public power networks or isolated. Its application field comprises sanitation companies, beverage industries, paper and cellulose industries, petrochemical companies or any places, where it is needed to control the flow and pressure in supply networks.

According to the embodiment, in a range from a plane P1 including a runner rotation center axis C and an end point 15E2 of an outlet end 15 of the vane 13, up to a plane P2 corresponding to a position where the plane P1 is moved by an angle, which is determined by dividing 360° by a value that is four times the number of vanes 13, in a runner rotation direction, when respective sections of the vane 13 are taken at a plane including the axis C and radially extending, in at least one section, a tangent T1 on a centerline Cv of the vane 13 passing through an intersection X at which the centerline Cv and a flowing water surface 12f intersect, and a tangent T2 on the flowing water surface 12f passing through the intersection X, define an acute angle on a negative pressure surface.

A gravitational vortex water turbine assembly is described wherein the water turbine is disposed below the bottom of the basin in which the vortex is induced. Preferably, the basin comprises a spiral-shaped side wall and the rotor blades of the turbine rotor are dimensioned such that they absorb the tangential, axial and radial component of the water flow of the vortex.