A downhole turbine may include a stator disposed in a turbine housing, a rotor disposed between the stator and the turbine housing and wherein the rotor includes an outer housing, a gap that separates the stator and the rotor, wherein the gap is oil filled, and one or more blades disposed on the outer housing between the turbine housing and the rotor. The downhole turbine may further include a compressible medium attached to the outer housing between the stator and the outer housing, wherein the compressible medium is separated from the stator by the gap, and one or more magnets attached to an inner surface of the compressible medium, wherein the one or more magnets are separated from the stator by the gap.

A hydro turbine assembly includes a hub configured to rotate about a center axis and configured to be mounted in a water passage. The hub includes an upstream end, a downstream end and an outer surface between the upstream and downstream ends. The hub includes at least three mounting recesses arranged in the outer surface wherein each mounting recess includes a first hub mounting surface and a second hub mounting surface, and the second hub mounting surface is downstream and radially inward of the first hub mounting surface. The assembly includes at least three runner blades each including a base configured to seat in a respective one of the mounting recesses, wherein the base includes a first blade mounting surface arranged to abut the first hub mounting surface and a second blade mounting surface arranged to abut the second hub mounting surface.

A hydro turbine assembly includes a hub configured to rotate about a center axis and configured to be mounted in a water passage. The hub includes an upstream end, a downstream end and an outer surface between the upstream and downstream ends. The hub includes at least three mounting recesses arranged in the outer surface wherein each mounting recess includes a first hub mounting surface and a second hub mounting surface, and the second hub mounting surface is downstream and radially inward of the first hub mounting surface. The assembly includes at least three runner blades each including a base configured to seat in a respective one of the mounting recesses, wherein the base includes a first blade mounting surface arranged to abut the first hub mounting surface and a second blade mounting surface arranged to abut the second hub mounting surface.

A downhole turbine may include a stator disposed in a turbine housing, a rotor disposed between the stator and the turbine housing and wherein the rotor includes an outer housing, a gap that separates the stator and the rotor, wherein the gap is oil filled, and one or more blades disposed on the outer housing between the turbine housing and the rotor. The downhole turbine may further include a compressible medium attached to the outer housing between the stator and the outer housing, wherein the compressible medium is separated from the stator by the gap, and one or more magnets attached to an inner surface of the compressible medium, wherein the one or more magnets are separated from the stator by the gap.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end. The non-contact seal assembly may comprise a seal base circumscribing axially offset from the annular array of the seal shoes. The non-contact seal assembly may further comprise a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially distal from and connecting to a respective one of the seal shoes, and each of the plurality of spring elements is axially adjacent to the seal base.

A vortex hydroturbine includes a tank to be filled with a liquid, such as water. At least one turbine is driven exclusively by flowing water to circulate the liquid within the tank and produce a vortex. A central turbine is driven by the circulating liquid and an electric generator is driven by the central turbine for producing electricity to be supplied to a load. A method for operating a vortex hydroturbine is also provided.