A buoyant energy generating housing apparatus submersed in fluid currents. The disclosed embodiments comprises rotary turbines that harvest the kinetic energy in the currents, and buoys that house equipment and provide buoyancy to support the system. Movements and rotations are restrained by multiple cables or tendons that are anchored on the seabed, in combination with the internal active ballast system in the buoys. Applications in currents with direction change are possible with the use of two-buoy embodiments, further assisted by the optional use of weathervanes.

An example valve includes: a pressure compensation spool configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at a first port acting in a proximal direction; a pressure compensation spring disposed in a pressure compensation chamber and applying a biasing force on the pressure compensation spool in a distal direction; a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flows through the valve; and a flow area configured to throttle fluid flow from the first port to the pressure compensation chamber, wherein fluid in the pressure compensation chamber applies a second fluid force on the pressure compensation spool in the distal direction, such that the pressure compensation spool moves to a particular axial position based on force equilibrium between the first fluid force, the second fluid force, and the biasing force to throttle fluid flow from the pressure compensation chamber to a second port.

A barge generator adapted to generate electrical power from surface currents of a body of water. The barge generator has a plurality of hull portions that form one or more tunnels along the length of the vessel. Hydrodynamic screws are received in the tunnels and coupled to an electrical generator such that water currents communicated through the tunnel impart rotational movement of the screw. A deployable curtain is extensible to funnel the currents towards the barge generator to increase the volume and velocity of water carried through the tunnel.

An energy conversion device is disclosed. Some embodiments include a mounting system for mounting the device in a fluid, an axle fixed to the mounting system, a hollow shell that rotates about the axle having axial symmetry about a longitudinal axis. The hollow shell may be substantially rounded at the front, expanding to a maximum diameter less than half the distance from the front end to the back end, and tapering radially along the longitudinal axis to the back end. The energy device may further comprise a plurality of blades on the exterior of the hollow shell, each blade extending from the front end of the hollow shell to the back end, rising to a maximum height, and having concave and convex walls. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

The present invention generally relates to a support structure for Tidal Energy Converters (TECs), the support structure being for completely submerged deployment. A preferred support structure includes a single stanchion 4, extending in a first direction, and a cross arm 5, extending in a second direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The cross arm 5 is statically attached to the stanchion 4, and can support a plurality of TECs 3. A support structure also includes a support frame 7, which extends further in a third direction, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, than in the second direction. The support frame 7 is operable to anchor the support structure to a seabed.

A mooring system (10) for use in mooring a marine device (24) within a fluid (12) subject to flow comprises a mooring line (16) to be secured to an anchor (18) and defining a tether point for a marine device (24), and a loading assembly (20) secured to the mooring line (16) and configured to generate hydrodynamic lift when exposed to flow to apply tension to the mooring line (16). In embodiments of the invention the loading assembly (20) is configured to also generate a buoyancy force, such that tension is applied to the mooring line (16) by a combination of the hydrodynamic lift force and the buoyancy force.

Disclosed herein is a device for directing fish toward a preferred path in a water passageway. The device includes a base and a plurality of spaced bars coupled to the base and cantilevered from the base. The plurality of spaced bars are electrified in anode cathode pairs. The plurality of spaced bars can extend from the base to form a frustoconical shape such that the spaced bars direct fish toward a hydraulic turbine blade hub and away from a hydraulic turbine blade tip. Alternatively, the plurality of spaced bars can extend from the base to form a linear array.

A fluid power generation device is configured to provide electric power generation using fluid action, and comprises multiple power generation mechanisms. Each power generation mechanism comprises: a casing that allows a fluid to pass through its internal space; and a power generation unit arranged within the casing, and configured to perform electric power generation using the fluid action. The casing is configured to generate vortexes in the vicinity of its fluid outlet. The multiple casings are arranged with spaces as intervals between them. Each casing generates vortexes in the vicinity of its fluid outlet. Furthermore, such an arrangement provides an interaction effect between the vortexes generated in the vicinity of the fluid outlets of the multipole casings arranged with the spaces as intervals between them. This provides a synergistic effect for accelerating the inner flow based on the interaction between the power generation mechanisms.

A device for extracting energy from flowing fluid is provided. First and second buoyant lateral side members are provided. A fluid turbine is disposed between and below the lateral side members. At least one support extends from each side member to the turbine. At least one adjustable length support connects to the first and second side members, the at least one adjustable length support being adjustable between a minimum length and a maximum length. When a length of the adjustable length support adjusts toward the minimum length the first and second side members move closer together to thereby lower the turbine relative to the lateral side members. When the length of the at least one adjustable length support adjusts toward the maximum length the first and second side members move away from each other to thereby raise the turbine relative to the lateral side members.

An axial impeller has a tubular housing mounted on bearings for rotation. The housing is capable of engaging a motor or generator directly or through a drive belt. Interior turbine blades are mounted on the housing wall. The blades may be hinged so they can rotate between a retracted position adjacent to the wall and an extended radial position. Rods penetrate the wall to position the blades between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the blades may be rotated to propel a fluid through the housing; and when retracted natural fluid flow is less restricted.