A turbine which uses fluid pressure to turn a shaft in a manner that does not allow for cavitation to be created.

This invention relates to an improved vertical axis water turbine assembly (2) for generating rotary power from fluid flow, the water turbine assembly (2) having active blade pitch control. The water turbine assembly (2) comprises a plurality of vertical blades (20) disposed about a vertical assembly axis, each vertical blade (20) having a vertical blade axis and being adapted for movement about said vertical blade axis. The water turbine assembly (2) further includes guide means to control the movement of each of the plurality of vertical blades (20) as the water turbine assembly (2) rotates.

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.

A system for generating electric energy from wind or hydraulic energy includes a turbine, and an electric energy generating device to which the turbine is connected through a shaft along a first axis. The turbine includes at least one blade, configured to perform a first rotary movement with respect to the first axis, and a second rotary movement with respect to a second axis, coinciding with the axis of the blade itself. This provides a system with structural features allowing high efficiency, facilitating installation in various environmental contexts, without risk of damage for the respective operational and structural integrity, at the same time. Additionally, the system has an essentially reduced environmental impact, as well as a low noise level so that it can be installed in an urban context or in any case close to built-up areas, i.e. near houses or buildings.

Undershot turbines with dynamic blades are disclosed for improving energy capture from a flowing stream. The blades are provided on respective rotatable swing arm assemblies attached to the circumference of a turbine support. In operation, the blades are uniquely adjusted as a function of rotation of the support wheel for improved efficiency and energy capture.

A kinetic fluid energy conversion system comprises one or more hubs which rotate about a central hub carrier, each including one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”). An articulation control system rotates each ECP independently of all others to control its orientation with respect to the fluid flow direction between an orientation of 90° perpendicular to the fluid flow, while traveling in the direction of the flow and 0° minimal drag parallel position to the flow, while traveling in the direction against the flow or blocked from it. Each hub can be operably coupled to another hub to form one or more counter-rotating hub and ECP assemblies whereby the mechanical energy is transferred through the hubs, to one or more clutch/gearbox/generator/pump assemblies thereby permitting such assemblies to be land-based when the system is air-powered, and above or near the surface, when the system is water-powered.

A hydrokinetic turbine system for harvesting energy from riverine and tidal sources, including a first floating dock, a marine hydrokinetic turbine mounted on the first floating dock, and a second floating dock. The system further includes a winch assembly mounted on the second floating dock and operationally connected to the first floating dock and a linkage assembly operationally connected to the first floating dock and to the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to pull the first floating dock into contact with the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to distance the first floating dock from the second floating dock, and the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is above the first floating dock and wherein the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is below the first floating dock.

A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion system includes hubs that are rotatable with respect to a hub carrier and support one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and a track orientation control mechanism (“TOCM”) for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions. Each ECP has opposed surfaces and leading and trailing edges and may have one or more lips projecting from one of the opposed surfaces, wherein the one or more lips comprise at least an inboard end lip extending transversely from an inboard end of the plate. Articulation of each ECP is controlled by a follower within a track that is rotatable with respect to the hub carrier, and service lines pass through a chase or bore passing through the hub carrier to bring power and/or control signals to the TOCM for effecting controlled, powered rotation of the track.

In a rotating machine having a fluidic rotor, the rotor comprises at least one blade mounted on an arm rotating about a rotor shaft forming a main axis of the rotor, the rotor being kept by a supporting structure in an orientation such that said axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid, the blade being mounted so as to pivot about an axis of rotation of the blade parallel to the main axis. The machine comprises means for generating a relative oscillation movement of the blade with respect to the arm at the axis of rotation of the blade, in order in this way to vary the inclination of the blade during the rotation of the rotor. Said means comprise, at the arm end, a mechanism comprising a first rotating element (A; B) known as the drive element and a second rotating element (B; A) known as the driven element, the elements being mounted on mutually parallel axes of rotation and separated by an inter-axis distance, the orientation of the drive element being controlled depending on the orientation of the rotor shaft while the orientation of the driven element determines the orientation of the blade, one of the rotating elements comprising a finger (D) spaced apart from its axis of rotation and the other rotating element comprising a groove (C) which receives the finger and in which the finger can slide. Application notably to wind turbines, to marine turbines and to nautical and aircraft propellers.

A turbine which uses fluid pressure to turn a shaft in a manner that does not allow for cavitation to be created.