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.

A stepwise operating parallel-type hydro power generation system having a fixed flow path includes a parallel pipe, a first power generation facility, a second power facility generation facility, first and second flow regulators, and a controller. The parallel pipe includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a first straight pipe and a second straight pipe. The first and second straight pipes connected between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. Each of the first and second power generation facilities includes a water turbine rotating with the water introduced thereinto and a power generator operating according to the rotation of the water turbine. The controller is configured to open and close either or both of the first and second flow rate regulators at the same time.

A hydroelectricity and compressed-air power converter system includes a first fill pool, a plurality of internal fill tanks, an external fill tank, a wave channel, a plurality of air-generator systems, a second fill pool, at least one air storage tank, and at least one generator system. The first fill pool is intermittently in fluid communication with the external fill tank through the plurality of internal fill tanks while the external fill tank is intermittently in fluid communication with the second fill pool through the wave channel. The second fill pool is selectively in fluid communication with the first fill pool through the at least one generator system so that a set amount of water can be circulated within the power converter system as it generates compressed-air from the plurality of air-generator systems and hydroelectricity from the at least one generator system.

A power generator is provided that in some embodiments includes a tubular generator housing for receiving a fluid flow at an intake end and discharging the fluid flow at an exit end. A generator compartment located within the generator housing contains an electrical generator. The generator compartment includes a plurality of structural members for centrally locating the generator compartment within the generator housing. A thickness of a thermally conductive outer wall of the generator compartment tapers from a thickest portion in front of the electrical generator to a thinnest portion adjacent to the electrical generator.

A water treatment system comprising a housing adapted to receive a flow of water. An electrolytic treatment system disposed within the housing, for producing one or more product substances to treat the water. A hydro generation system disposed within the housing, for generating power from the flow of water. An electronic control system disposed within the housing, for receiving and managing the electrical power produced by the hydro generation system, and for controlling the transfer of electrical power to the electrolytic treatment system to control the production of the one or more product substances.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system that comprises a valve coupled to a water supply to a showerhead. The valve is constructed to turn a water flow on and off to the showerhead. The system comprises a first switch mounted outside of a shower stall. The first switch can be constructed to, responsive to a first user action, cause the valve to turn the water flow on.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for providing energy to a defined space, such as a house or other building. In one implementation, thermal energy is received from a solar power source at a solar boiler, and steam is generated from the thermal energy using the solar boiler. One or pistons of a steam engine is driven with a pressure from the steam. The steam engine outputs a first waste heat. The first waste heat is received from the steam engine at a chiller. The chiller generates conditioned air from the first waste heat.

Systems and methods for operating a fluid supply system. The methods comprise: using a micro-turbine and an Energy Harvesting Circuit (EHC) to harvest energy from a fluid flowing through a pipeline; operating a switch to disconnect the EHC from the micro-turbine when an amount of energy harvested reaches a threshold value; detecting by a sensor device an amount of natural fluid flow through the pipeline while the EHC is disconnected from the micro-turbine; and operating the switch to reconnect the EHC to the micro-turbine after the amount of natural fluid flow has been detected.

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.

A turbine that has a plurality of compartments. Each compartment has associated thereto a respective opening. Each opening defining a fluid communication path between an outside of the turbine and a respective compartment. The turbine also has a plurality of conduits. Each conduit connects a respective compartment to an adjoining compartment. Each conduit defines a fluid communication passageway between the respective compartment and the adjoining compartment. The turbine is configured for immersion in liquid and for powering by gas displacing some of the liquid out of one or more than one compartment. The present disclosure also describes a method of driving such a turbine.