A vertical axis wind turbine with improved safety, production efficiency and greater functional wind speed range. A vertical axis wind turbine comprises turbine blades having geometric characteristics of a yin yang symbol when viewed from the top down. The turbine blades are configured to form a scoop portion for catching wind. The surface area of the scoop portion may be dynamically configured to accommodate power production in higher wind speed ranges by dynamically furling the blades to reduce the surface area of the scoop portion as RPM begins to exceed a safe limit. First and second permanent magnet rotor arrays are dynamically positioned above and below an array of stator coils to maximize power generation.

A capsule buoy type wave energy converter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy installed on the water surface, and a power generating unit received in the buoy in a sealed manner so as to generate power. The power generating unit may include a generator for generating power, at least one wave actuator for converting bidirectional movement caused by wave power into unidirectional movement, a torque generator for generating torque by the unidirectional movement transmitted from the wave actuator, and an accelerator for accelerating the torque from the torque generator so as to operate the generator.

A hydropower system has a channel and at least one water turbine. The channel has a flowing path, two side walls, and at least one turbine recess recessed in at least one of the side walls and having an opening communicating with the flowing path. The at least one water turbine is mounted in the at least one turbine recess and has a shaft, a blade wheel, and a generator. The blade wheel is mounted on and rotatable with the shaft and partially protrudes into the flowing path. The generator is connected to the shaft. The blade wheel may be propelled to rotate by flowing water flowing through the flowing path to drive the generator to generate power.

A hydropower system has a channel and at least one water turbine. The channel has a flowing path, two side walls, and at least one turbine recess recessed in at least one of the side walls and having an opening communicating with the flowing path. The at least one water turbine is mounted in the at least one turbine recess and has a shaft, a blade wheel, and a generator. The blade wheel is mounted on and rotatable with the shaft and partially protrudes into the flowing path. The generator is connected to the shaft. The blade wheel may be propelled to rotate by flowing water flowing through the flowing path to drive the generator to generate power.

A vertical axis wind turbine with improved safety, production efficiency and greater functional wind speed range. A vertical axis wind turbine comprises turbine blades having geometric characteristics of a yin yang symbol when viewed from the top down. The turbine blades are configured to form a scoop portion for catching wind. The surface area of the scoop portion may be dynamically configured to accommodate power production in higher wind speed ranges by dynamically furling the blades to reduce the surface area of the scoop portion as RPM begins to exceed a safe limit. First and second permanent magnet rotor arrays are dynamically positioned above and below an array of stator coils to maximize power generation.

The generation of electricity is described, using an offshore wind turbine. A generating sub-assembly 101 is supported by support mechanism (103) upon a support structure 102. The generating sub-assembly has a wind-responsive turbine and an electrical generator. The support structure includes a buoyancy portion (106) for submersion in water and a mast portion (108) extending from said buoyancy portion to extend the generating sub-assembly above the waterline. The support structure is buoyant and is free to roll when floating in water and the support mechanism is hinged to allow the generating sub-assembly to maintain an operational angle during the rolling of the support structure.

A yaw system for a wind turbine can have a yaw bearing with an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring, and a plurality of yaw rollers rotationally disposed between the outer and inner bearing rings so as to allow relative motion between the outer and inner bearing rings. A bi-directional braking assembly having an outer clutch ring attached to the outer bearing ring, an inner clutch ring attached to the inner bearing ring, and a plurality of brake rollers rotationally and slidably disposed between the inner clutch ring and at least one locking ramp adjacent the outer clutch ring. A plurality of spring members can extend from either ring projections or activation projections to each brake roller. An activation ring can slidably position the plurality of brake rollers into one of a locked position or unlocked position to prevent yaw rotation in an undesired direction.

Disclosed herein is a power generating apparatus for extracting energy from flowing water. The apparatus comprises a buoyancy vessel, and a turbine assembly coupled to the buoyancy vessel which comprises a turbine rotor mounted to a nacelle, and a support structure. The turbine assembly is pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position. When the power generating apparatus is floating on a body of water, in the first position the nacelle is fully submerged below the water surface; and in the second position at least a part of the nacelle projects above the water surface. Movement of the turbine assembly from the first position to the second position is buoyancy assisted, for example by providing the turbine assembly with positive buoyancy or selectively increasing its buoyancy.

Movement of the turbine assembly to the second position may be desirable to reduce the draft or the drag of the power generating apparatus, for example when the power generating apparatus is being relocated, or to prevent damage during storms. In addition, when in the second position it is possible to gain access to the nacelle for maintenance or repair.

An assembly of a number of reservoirs stacked in a helix shape and filled with certain volume of a fluid is made to rotate continuously by the effect of gravity, where each reservoir has a special geometric shape and design where in the stacked helix of reservoirs the plurality of the torque values due to gravity on one side of the rotation axis is greater than the plurality of the torque values due to gravity on the other side of the rotation axis, resulting in a continuous rotation.

Disclosed herein is a power generating apparatus for extracting energy from flowing water. The apparatus comprises a buoyancy vessel, and a turbine assembly coupled to the buoyancy vessel which comprises a turbine rotor mounted to a nacelle, and a support structure. The turbine assembly is pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position. When the power generating apparatus is floating on a body of water, in the first position the nacelle is fully submerged below the water surface; and in the second position at least a part of the nacelle projects above the water surface. Movement of the turbine assembly from the first position to the second position is buoyancy assisted, for example by providing the turbine assembly with positive buoyancy or selectively increasing its buoyancy. Movement of the turbine assembly to the second position may be desirable to reduce the draft or the drag of the power generating apparatus, for example when the power generating apparatus is being relocated, or to prevent damage during storms. In addition, when in the second position it is possible to gain access to the nacelle for maintenance or repair.