A mobile communications device includes a wireless communication transceiver to communicate commands or messages and to receive commands, measurements or messages, one or more memory devices, one or more processors, computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices, accessed from the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors to cause the mobile device to communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a first umbrella to control some operations of the first umbrella and communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a second umbrella to control some operations of the second umbrella. The wireless transceiver may communicate utilizing a personal area network (PAN) communications protocol, a wireless local area network communications protocol or a cellular communications protocol.

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).

Systems and methods for hydro-electric power generation are disclosed. The system includes a frame or structure positioned in a waterway or channel, with one or more hydro-transition units secured to corners of the frame. The hydro-transition units include a body of reinforced fabric for redirecting water flow towards the inlet of the frame, effectively increasing the current of the water and allowing for turbines within the frame to generate power at an increased rate. Anchors and bracket systems may secure the hydro-transition units to both the waterway and the frame, thereby allowing the body of reinforced fabric to withstanding force from water-flow within the waterway. The system includes various failsafe mechanisms for disengaging or detaching the hydro-transition units from the frame and/or anchor for reacting to high water flow or volumes (e.g., flooding).

A toilet includes a power generation assembly connected thereto which is activated when flushing the toilet so as to generate electric power. The power generation assembly includes a body with a rotary unit and a power generation unit received therein. The power generation unit includes multiple magnets and coil units which. When flushing, the rotary unit is rotated by water and the magnets are rotated relative to the coil units. The coil units generate electric current to provide the necessary electric power of the toilet.

Multiple horizontal axis type rotors are coaxially attached along the upper section of an elongate torque transmitting tower/driveshaft, The tower/driveshaft projects upward from a cantilevered bearing means, and is bent downwind, until the rotors become sufficiently aligned with the wind to rotate the entire tower/driveshaft, Power is drawn from the shaft at the base. Surface mount, subsurface mount, and marine installations, including a sailboat, are disclosed. Blade-to-blade lashing, and vertical axis rotor blades may also be included. Vertical and horizontal axis type rotor blades may be interconnected along the length of the tower/driveshaft to form a structural lattice, and the central shaft may even be eliminated. Aerodynamic lifting bodies or tails, buoyant lifting bodies, buoyant rotor blades, and methods of influencing the tilt of the rotors, can help elevate the structure. This wind turbine can have as few as one single moving part.

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 method for producing electricity from an existing oil platform designed to extract petroleum oil from an underground deposit comprises the following steps: extracting a mixture of petroleum oil and water from the underground deposit under a pressure P2 via a first extraction pipe (11); circulating the extracted mixture so as to actuate an electricity generating turbine by kinetic energy in order to generate electricity; and supplying a power grid with at least a fraction of the electricity generated by the generating turbine.

A mobile communications device includes a wireless communication transceiver to communicate commands or messages and to receive commands, measurements or messages, one or more memory devices, one or more processors, computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices, accessed from the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors to cause the mobile device to communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a first umbrella to control some operations of the first umbrella and communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a second umbrella to control some operations of the second umbrella. The wireless transceiver may communicate utilizing a personal area network (PAN) communications protocol, a wireless local area network communications protocol or a cellular communications protocol.

The invention relates to a device for converting wind energy to at least mechanical energy, comprising a rotor drivable rotatably about a rotation axis by wind with a duct disposed therearound, wherein a central axis of the duct coincides with the rotation axis of the rotor, wherein the duct comprises a wind inlet opening and a wind outlet opening, and wherein the device is embodied such that in use of the device an air pressure in a central part of the wind outlet opening is lower than an air pressure at the wind inlet opening. The device can be provided for this purpose with a number of rear stator blades disposed downstream of the rotor in the duct for guiding the wind away in a downstream direction, which rear stator blades extend radially outward from the central axis.

A method and apparatus for generating electrical power are disclosed. The method includes the steps of turning turbine blades of at least one turbine provided at a region of a subsea pipe or umbilical via a respective motion of seawater through a swept area associated with the turbine blades and generating electrical power responsive to turning of the turbine blades.