An energy conversion device for converting water energy, in some cases water energy from waves and/or a flow such as an ocean current, into electric energy, comprises at least one rotor having a rotor rotational axis, the alignment of which is in some cases fixed by a supporting frame, and a flow housing which comprises a rotor shell which surrounds the rotor radially to the rotor rotational axis.

The present invention relates to a construction method for a tidal power generation system capable of multiple-flow power generation from an installation of a uniflow generator, and more particularly, to a construction method for a tidal power generation system, in which auxiliary waterways are installed at both sides of a hydraulic turbine waterway in which the uniflow generator is installed, respectively, such that water is introduced into one side auxiliary waterway so as to generate power, and the other side auxiliary waterway is connected to an existing drain waterway so that the water used to generate power may be drained, thereby enabling the multiple-flow power generation only by opening and closing a required sluice gate.

Some geographies have tide ranges above 15 yards, but most do not. The wider the tide range, the more hydroelectric power can be generated per cycle of low tide to high tide and then high tide to low tide, using a tidal barrage. Methods of raising the high tide above the measured level to fill the storage ponds to an even higher level and a method to empty the storage ponds to a lower than low tide level, provide means to expand the tide range significantly, enabling many more planet geographies to have economically feasible hydroelectric power.

A tidal power generation and storage system (10) comprises a lagoon (12) and a plurality of reservoirs (14) separating the lagoon from an area of tidal water (16). Each reservoir (14) comprises a seawall (20) surrounding a reservoir chamber (22). The system has a first flow channel (30) in communication between the area of tidal water (16) and the lagoon(12) which directs flow through a turbine (32)to generate electrical power. The system also has a second flow channel (40) to allow communication between two adjacent reservoirs and a third flow channel (90) to allow communication between a reservoir and the first flow channel. The seawall (20) of each reservoir (14) comprises a gravity structure comprising a plurality of layers of a mixture of sand and/or other seabed material with a hydraulic binder. The system can be built using material sourced at the point of construction, and allows storage and pumping of water in the reservoirs (14) and lagoon (12) to maximise the period over which power can be generated.

A system is provided comprising a tunnel for immersion in a moving mass. Energy from the mass passing through said tunnel converts to rotational force. An energy collector is provided having open and collapsed states, the open state resisting the mass. Bidirectional converter systems convert said rotational force to constant singular direction. A mechanical converter comprises an input shaft turned bidirectionally by said rotational force and two gears driven by the input shaft in opposite rotational directions, the gears separately attached to idler gears causing output gears attached to the idler gears to engage an output shaft in a same rotational direction. A hydraulic converter comprises a hydraulic pump turned bidirectionally by said rotational force. Check valves positioned between the pump and a hydraulic motor enable control of pressure and volume in one direction at the pump.

An energy generating system includes a dam in an estuary defining a water containment area. The dam includes a plurality of dam elements, each including a plurality of dam panels hingedly connected in series, which are urgeable from an inoperative folded state in a chamber to an operative state by a corresponding pair of main or secondary buoyancy tanks as the tide rises and falls. Each pair of main buoyancy tanks with the corresponding dam element defines a water race within which a water wheel is located. The water wheels are mounted on corresponding drive shafts which are connected in series and which are rotatably carried on support frameworks which are supported on the main buoyancy tanks. Electricity generators are supported on carrier frameworks which are supported on the secondary buoyancy tanks at respective ends of the dam, and are driven by the adjacent one of the drive shafts.

An enclosed hydroelectricity generator system includes an inlet channel, a low-pressure enclosed turbine, an outlet channel, and a hydroelectric generator. The enclosed turbine includes an inner can, an outer housing, a turbine axle, a plurality of paddle boards, and a water pressure containment chamber. The turbine axle is concentrically and symmetrically connected to the inner can. The plurality of paddle boards is radially connected around the inner can. The inner can and the plurality of paddle boards are rotatably enclosed within the outer housing. The inlet channel and the outlet channel are oppositely traversing into the outer housing. The inlet channel is in fluid communication with the outer channel through the water pressure containment chamber. The hydroelectric generator is operatively coupled with the turbine axle so that a kinetic energy of a pressurized water flow that enters into the water pressure containment chamber can be converted into hydroelectricity.

An energy generating system includes a dam in an estuary defining a water containment area. The dam includes a plurality of dam elements, each including a plurality of dam panels hingedly connected in series, which are urgeable from an inoperative folded state in a chamber to an operative state by a corresponding pair of main or secondary buoyancy tanks as the tide rises and falls. Each pair of main buoyancy tanks with the corresponding dam element defines a water race within which a water wheel is located. The water wheels are mounted on corresponding drive shafts which are connected in series and which are rotatably carried on support frameworks which are supported on the main buoyancy tanks. Electricity generators are supported on carrier frameworks which are supported on the secondary buoyancy tanks at respective ends of the dam, and are driven by the adjacent one of the drive shafts.

The present invention discloses a ducted bidirectional tidal current power station system, mainly consisting of a bidirectional tidal current power generation device, a dam, an open sea, an inland sea, a duct, and an opening/closing gate. The bidirectional tidal current power generation device is installed in the duct on the bottom of the dam. Openings, respectively communicated with the open sea and the inland sea, are formed at two ends of the duct, and an opening/closing gate is arranged at each of the two openings. By the ducted bidirectional tidal current power station system of the present invention, the cost of marine construction, operation and maintenance of the tidal current power generation device in an open sea area is saved, and the complex structure of the power generation device in the tidal power station and the cost of strict construction of auxiliary devices and runners are avoided.

An enclosed hydroelectricity generator system includes an inlet channel, a low-pressure enclosed turbine, an outlet channel, and a hydroelectric generator. The enclosed turbine includes an inner can, an outer housing, a turbine axle, a plurality of paddle boards, and a water pressure containment chamber. The turbine axle is concentrically and symmetrically connected to the inner can. The plurality of paddle boards is radially connected around the inner can. The inner can and the plurality of paddle boards are rotatably enclosed within the outer housing. The inlet channel and the outlet channel are oppositely traversing into the outer housing. The inlet channel is in fluid communication with the outer channel through the water pressure containment chamber. The hydroelectric generator is operatively coupled with the turbine axle so that a kinetic energy of a pressurized water flow that enters into the water pressure containment chamber can be converted into hydroelectricity.