A mechanism to provide controlled variable area blades for fluid driven tangential turbines is disclosed, where the spindle axis is perpendicular to the fluid flow, applicable in vertical axis hydraulic turbines but extensive to horizontal axis or wind turbines, with the rotor completely immersed on the flow. Each blade varying its area at selected position of the rotor turning, increasing to maximize conversion of the kinetic energy of the fluid onto mechanical rotational power of the shaft, or reducing to minimize drag moving opposed to such current. A comprehensive method is provided to control the variation in area for any specific degree of rotation of the turbine shaft on a rotational blade array, different flow conditioning deflector solutions in order to increase the power generation capability of the turbine, by increasing speed of the incoming flow to the rotor and minimizing drag of the returning blades.

A floating power plant with paddle-wheels for the production of electricity, which will be utilized in the hydro power industry and mainly in the production of electricity from flowing waters, rivers, and channels. The created facility is a pontoon-type trimaran, including three floating bodies with vertical sides and in the shape of two mirror curvatures which connect to each other with a straight portion, and where the two end floating bodies are identical and symmetrical to the middle floating body. Each end body is half the size and shape of the middle floating body. Between the floating bodies there are two identical grooves, each groove holding a paddle-wheel. The three floating bodies are connected by a common deck, on which an electric generator is placed, coupled with a reduction gear, and connected to the major axis of each of the paddle-wheels.

A turbine with rotary blades includes a stator, a rotor rotational about an axis of the turbine and rotational blades evenly spaced around a circumference of the rotor. The turbine includes a pressure chamber circumscribed by a slot and a sealing chamber between which an inlet channel for a medium supply leads into the pressure chamber. The slot, the sealing chamber and the blades are adapted to permanently seal both the slot and the sealing chamber with at least one blade. The rotation of the blades can be ensured by a toothed gear, wherein angular speed of the blades is an integer multiple of the angular speed of the rotor. The blades may have a front wall and a rear wall of approximately conical or cylindrical shape.

A generator and a related method are disclosed. The generator includes at least one rotor, at least one bridging element arranged to rotate about a rotation axis (X) of the rotor, an inductance unit holder, the inductance unit holder including at least one inductance unit, the inductance unit including at least one inductance coil, and a core, the at least one bridging element arranged to induce an alternating and pulsed voltage to the at least one inductance coil, the generator including at least one flow channel unit arranged to convey a fluid flow to the rotor. The rotor is arranged to rotate relative to the flow channel unit in a floating bearing manner, with a rotation frequency.

A turbine assembly includes a shaft having an axis, a single cam with a cam profile and coupled to the shaft, and at least one foil coupled to the cam and having an axis. A variable pitch mechanism is coupled to at least one of the at least one foil or the single cam and is configured to adjust a position of the at least one foil while the at least one foil simultaneously rotates about the shaft. At least one of the shaft, the variable pitch mechanism, and the at least one foil is configured to be automatically actuated in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft.

A system including at least one tunnel is configured for immersion in a moving mass. An energy collector is disposed in the at least one tunnel. The energy collector has at least an open state and a collapsed state where the collector in the open state collects at least an energy of at least a part of the moving mass passing through the at least one tunnel. Alternate activation of an actuator device joined to the energy collector and an activator joined to a weight implement alternately transitions the energy collector to the open and closed state. The alternate transition of the energy collector imparts a reciprocating motion of the energy collector and the weight implement. A cable system joins the actuators for transferring the reciprocating motion. A pulley system translates the reciprocating motion to a rotational force for driving rotational mechanisms.

A turbine is provided, comprising a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, each in communication with an internal chamber formed within the housing. A rotor is mounted for rotation within the internal chamber. At least one paddle is pivotally mounted to the rotor for pivoting between an extended position in which the paddle extends substantially radially from the rotor for receiving pressure exerted by fluid moving through the housing and causing the rotor to rotate, and a retracted position in which the paddle does not extend from the rotor. A cam is provided in the internal chamber for moving the paddle from the extended position to the retracted position when, during rotation of the rotor, the paddle moves past the cam in the extended position. Magnetic biasing means may be used to bias the paddle in the extended or retracted position.

A run-of-the-river hydroelectric generating plant is disclosed, in which river water is diverted downstream, used in the hydroelectric generation process, and sent back to the river. A high-mass, large diameter hydro rotor for hydroelectric power generation is disclosed. A large diameter circular horizontal water flow, the desired water flow regime, is created to float and rotate the high-mass hydro rotor, which is coupled to a turbine shaft. Extremely high torque and angular momentum is provided for conversion into extremely high energy output. The desired water flow regime can be augmented with different configurations of penstocks, intake channels, and discharge channels.

A hydrokinetic apparatus for generating electricity is similar to a large wheel having a central axis; one or more support rings; and multiple spokes where the proximal end is attached to the central axis. Some spokes, named conduits, are hollow spokes having a turbine located proximately to the central axis and at least one valve that may open and close as appropriate to allow the ingress and egress of water into the hollow spoke. Counterweight spokes are configured to assist in rotating the wheel. Support spokes give the apparatus structural support. As the wheel rotates, a conduit containing water will rotate into the upper half of the wheel and open its valve to release the water into an opposing conduit in the lower half of the wheel that has opened its valve to receive the water. The water will pass through at least one turbine, thereby generating electricity.

A hydrokinetic apparatus for generating electricity is similar to a large wheel having a central axis; one or more support rings; and multiple spokes where the proximal end is attached to the central axis. Some spokes, named conduits, are hollow spokes having a turbine located proximately to the central axis and at least one valve that may open and close as appropriate to allow the ingress and egress of water into the hollow spoke. Counterweight spokes are configured to assist in rotating the wheel. Support spokes give the apparatus structural support. As the wheel rotates, a conduit containing water will rotate into the upper half of the wheel and open its valve to release the water into an opposing conduit in the lower half of the wheel that has opened its valve to receive the water. The water will pass through at least one turbine, thereby generating electricity.