A wave energy converter utilizes a flotation module that rises and falls with the passage of waves, a submerged tube containing a constriction which multiplies the speed of the water passing therethrough, a turbine (or other hydrokinetic apparatus) positioned so as to extract energy from the accelerated flow of water within and/or through the tube, and a submerged gas- or liquid-filled chamber housing one or more energy conversion components (e.g. generators, transformers, rectifiers, inverters). By providing a chamber in proximity to the turbine, generators can be placed in closer proximity to the turbine that turns them, and the shared shaft can be shorter than if the generators were placed in the buoy adjacent to the surface.

Three controls, three variable gear assemblies, an optional hatch or variable propeller pitch, and a variable overlap generator (VO generator), as well as one or more commutator and brush-less free direct current generators may be used independently and together to provide constant frequency and voltage output power and to increase the amount of output power generated with the same input water flow or wind speed in a plurality of embodiments useful in wind power generation and water renewable energy generators for any of tidal and ocean current or wave conditions. Two Transgear assemblies side-by-side and sharing the same central shaft may comprise a constant speed motor control, produce required constant frequency and voltage and be reduced in part count and complexity. The variable overlap generator of a marine hydrokinetic or wind power generator may be used as a low torque generator, a high power-rated generator or a control in these applications and may generate more electric power than a conventional fixed power generator (the rotor axially aligned to overlap the stator in a conventional manner) over a wider input range. An electromotive force (EMF) embodiment generates alternating current at constant frequency and voltage in varying wind and water speed conditions.

Provided is a rotor blade hub for a wind turbine. The rotor blade hub includes a connecting portion for torque-transmitting coupling of the rotor blade hub to a main shaft of the wind turbine. The rotor blade hub has a single-stage transmission which is non-rotatably mounted to the rotor blade hub at the drive input side and has the connecting portion at the drive output side.

Horizontal axis W/T of low wind speeds of propeller type, bearing a main rotor of three blades (1), while in the space between two successive blades (1) and diametrically opposite to the third, an additional 4th blade (2) also of propeller type but of significantly longer length, is interposed. This additional blade (2) is not permanently coupled but selectively engaged in the system of the W/T at low wind speeds, contributing to the startup and enhancing the energy production. The blade (2) bears diametrically opposite a counterweight (15) to balance the forces developed, and rotates in a plane parallel to the main rotor. The coupling of the blade (2) is preferably made at the stand-by state or at low wind speed operation of the W/T, while the uncoupling will be performed during operating state and at the rated power. The blade (2) after uncoupling, gets in vertical position and remains immobilized attached to the tower.

An apparatus comprising a magnetic-geared machine component; and a Vernier machine component; wherein the magnetic-geared machine component is ar-ranged concentrically with the Vernier machine component; and wherein each of the magnetic-geared machine component and the Vernier machine compo-nent have flux modulation functionality.

A wind turbine rotary shaft is coupled to the rotary axis of a grid connected generator/alternator by magnetic means to feed power to the grid at all rotation speeds of the turbine shaft that exceed the generator speed when it acts as a motor power by the grid. The coupling is a generally circular first plate having a magnet array at the end of the generator shaft. The rotary axis of a turbine is likewise connected to a second generally circular plate. The second plate is electrically conductive, but not magnetic and is offset but adjacent to the first plate. When the turbine shaft is turning faster than the generator shaft more power is fed into the grid by the generator/alternator.

A water flow turbine arrangement is disclosed which can be used for capturing energy from water flows. The arrangement comprises: a base member (212): a generally open support structure (210) mounted to the base and upstanding therefrom, the support structure including plural legs (216) joined by a cross brace at or adjacent their upper ends; an electrical generator (230) mounted to the base; and shaft mounted turbine blades (220) mounted for rotation generally within the space occupied by the legs about a turbine axis. The turbine shaft (222) is supported at its upper end by the cross brace and is coupled to the generator at its lower end by a magnetic torque transmitting coupling, allowing complete fluid sealing of the generator's housing.

An electrical energy generator array generates electricity from at least one form of natural flow, the generator having a drive shaft driven by energy from a natural energy flow and connected to a drive mechanism. The generator includes an integrated electric motor and a plurality of individual generators disengageably connected to the drive mechanism. Each generator is connected via a series of ties to form a connected generator array, the array being rotated by the drive mechanism when connected thereto, or by the integrated electric motor when disconnected from the drive mechanism, to generate electricity. The generator may include an electrical storage device arranged to power the integrated electric motor. A method of generating electricity from at least one natural energy flow, for supply to an electrical storage device, for local use or for supply to an electric grid includes using an electrical energy generator array as described.

A wave energy converter utilizes a flotation module that rises and falls with the passage of waves, a submerged tube containing a constriction which multiplies the speed of the water passing therethrough, a turbine (or other hydrokinetic apparatus) positioned so as to extract energy from the accelerated flow of water within and/or through the tube, and a submerged gas- or liquid-filled chamber housing one or more energy conversion components (e.g. generators, transformers, rectifiers, inverters). By providing a chamber in proximity to the turbine, generators can be placed in closer proximity to the turbine that turns them, and the shared shaft can be shorter than if the generators were placed in the buoy adjacent to the surface.

A magnetically driven centrifugal pump has a pump case, an open vane impeller in the pump case, a stuffing box including a stuffing box outer being fixed relative to the pump case and a stuffing box inner threadedly engaged with the stuffing box outer, and a rotor axially fixed and rotatably mounted in the stuffing box inner. Bushings are arranged between the rotor and the stuffing box inner. A drive is fixed relative to the pump case and includes a drive output extending into the rotor. There is a magnetic coupling between the rotor and the drive and a canister fixed to the stuffing box and extending through the magnetic coupling to isolate the rotor from the drive. A rub ring closes the end of the stuffing box inner and constrains the drive output from damaging the cannister under catastrophic bearing failure.