An example system comprises an enclosure configured to be submerged in a body of water. The system also comprises a capture device coupled to the enclosure. The capture device includes a rotor shaft and a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor shaft. The plurality of blades are arranged to receive a flow of water when the enclosure is submerged in the body of water. The flow of water causes the plurality of blades to rotate the rotor shaft. The system also comprises a transfer device extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end of the transfer device. The transfer device is mechanically coupled to the capture device at the first end and configured to transfer a torque of the rotating rotor shaft from the first end to the second end. The second end is located outside the enclosure.

The present invention relates generally to facilities and systems capable of initiating and maintaining vertical flow, upward, within an extended-length water column by inducing changes in density throughout the column. Specifically, the induced (vertical) flow of water within an extended water column that is the present invention is accomplished through fluid aeration, with ambient air, which is directed toward producing ascending water flow rates sufficient to generate hydraulic pressure and hydraulic powered energy, through generated radial force in hydraulic turbines. It is another goal of this invention to utilize air infused water, derived from high-density and low depths, to create said vertical flow and induce turbine actuation through said unaltered, recyclable mediums—air and water—resulting in electrical power generation and desalination.

A hydroponic container growing system is provided. The growing system provides a closed growing environment providing climate and other growing conditions suitable for year-round plant production. The growing system may include a container having a plurality of subsystems therein. The plurality of subsystems may include a plant production system, an environmental regulation system, an energy capture system, a control system, and a dosage system. The plant production system may include an Ebb and Flow irrigation system and one or more Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) irrigation systems. A single reservoir may supply the Ebb and Flow irrigation system and a NFT irrigation system to provide a dual technique, single nutrient supply source irrigation system for plant production. An energy capture system which utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing liquid to generate electrical energy may be integrated into one or more irrigation systems within the plant production system.

Various arrangements of a turbine for a rotating coalescer element of a crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine are described. In some arrangements, the turbine is an impulse turbine, which is also known as a pelton turbine or a turgo turbine. The turbine is used to convert hydraulic power from a stream of pressurized fluid to mechanical power that is used to drive the rotating element. The turbine includes a non-wetting surface (e.g., an oleophobic or hydrophobic surface) that repels the pressurized fluid. The non-wetting surface may be achieved through plasma coating, fluoropolymer coating, micro-topography features, and the like. The non-wetting surface increases the power transmission efficiency from the stream of pressurized fluid to the turbine, thereby increasing the rotational speed of the rotating element compared to wettable surfaced turbines, which in turn increases the efficiency of the rotating element.

A fluid energy harvester, including a housing having at least one port and an outlet, and the housing defining at least one fluid passageway therein. The fluid energy harvester also includes a converter disposed within the housing and configured to convert at least a portion of potential energy in an exhaust fluid, a generator operably coupled to the converter and configured to generate an electrical current from the converter, a charging controller electrically coupled to the generator, and a storage medium electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical current generated by the generator. The fluid energy harvester further includes a nozzle configured to control a flow of the exhaust fluid.

An underwater turbo-generator unit for producing electrical power has a pressure-resistant shell that defines a sealed internal chamber. At least one water inlet extends through the shell to effect fluid communication between the chamber and a body of water surrounding the shell. A turbine is supported within the chamber to turn on a spin axis in response to admission of a flow of water into the chamber via the or each water inlet. The shell can be arranged to maintain a gas-filled space within the chamber, facilitating the use of a Felton turbine that turns about a vertical spin axis. The or each water inlet communicates with at least one tubular penstock structure that can be supported by the unit outside the shell. The chamber communicates with, and drains water into, a fluid storage volume such as a pipeline positioned at a level beneath the chamber.

In a general aspect, a system can include a reactor for combusting fuel and producing high-temperature, high-pressure liquid as a byproduct, and at least one vessel defining a cavity to be partially filled with water, with an air pocket within the cavity above the water. The system can further include respective valves to control admission of liquid from the reactor into the air pocket when the air pocket has a pressure lower than an operating pressure of the reactor, and to control emission of the water from the at least one vessel through of the vessel after the water in the at least one vessel has been pressurized by the liquid from the reactor. The system can also include a hydroelectric drive system for receiving water emitted from the cavity, and for converting energy in the received water into electrical energy.

An underwater turbo-generator unit for producing electrical power has a pressure-resistant shell that defines a sealed internal chamber. At least one water inlet extends through the shell to effect fluid communication between the chamber and a body of water surrounding the shell. A turbine is supported within the chamber to turn on a spin axis in response to admission of a flow of water into the chamber via the or each water inlet. The shell is arranged to maintain a gas-filled space within the chamber, facilitating the use of a Pelton turbine that turns about a vertical spin axis. The or each water inlet communicates with at least one tubular penstock structure that can be supported by the unit outside the shell. The chamber communicates with, and drains water into, a fluid storage volume such as a pipeline positioned at a level beneath the chamber.

The present invention relates generally to facilities and systems capable of initiating and maintaining vertical flow, upward, within an extended-length water column by inducing changes in density throughout the column. Specifically, the induced (vertical) flow of water within an extended water column that is the present invention is accomplished through fluid aeration, with ambient air, which is directed toward producing ascending water flow rates sufficient to generate hydraulic pressure and hydraulic powered energy, through generated radial force in hydraulic turbines. It is another goal of this invention to utilize air infused water, derived from high-density and low depths, to create said vertical flow and induce turbine actuation through said unaltered, recyclable mediums—air and water—resulting in electrical power generation and desalination.

A subsea long-distance power-transmission system comprises an electrically driven pumping station for producing a flow of pressurised working fluid and an electricity generating station having an electrical generator coupled to a fluid-powered machine. A supply duct extends across the seabed between the pumping station and the generating station, that duct being arranged to convey the flow of working fluid from the pumping station to power the machine. Electric power is supplied to the pumping station from an electric power source, such as a national power grid, and is supplied from the generator to an electric power consumer far distant from the power source, such as a subsea oil and gas installation.