Abstract: A power generation apparatus for generating power from water flows is provided. The apparatus has an elongated module having a mechanical side and a hydraulic side, a generator coupled to the mechanical side. The hydraulic side having a set of paddles partially submerged in a water flow. The elongated module has a pivoting point on its mechanical side so that the hydraulic side follows an arc trajectory. The paddles are configured to change positions based on the angular location of the arc trajectory.

Abstract: A system for hydrokinetic energy conversion of a fluid current is disclosed. The system includes at least two floating platforms, each floating platform has a movable paddle that moves up to an elevated position and moves down to a low position. A transmission mechanism is included to operatively couple floating platforms to a power generator, so that, when in operation, alternatively, a first floating platform, having the movable paddle in low position, is dragged downstream of the fluid current causes the power generator to produce energy and further causes a second floating platform, having the movable paddle in elevated position, be pulled upstream.

Abstract: A mechanism to provide controlled variable area blades for fluid driven tangential turbines is disclosed, where the spindle axis is perpendicular to the fluid flow, applicable in vertical axis hydraulic turbines but extensive to horizontal axis or wind turbines, with the rotor completely immersed on the flow. Each blade varying its area at selected position of the rotor turning, increasing to maximize conversion of the kinetic energy of the fluid onto mechanical rotational power of the shaft, or reducing to minimize drag moving opposed to such current. A comprehensive method is provided to control the variation in area for any specific degree of rotation of the turbine shaft on a rotational blade array, different flow conditioning deflector solutions in order to increase the power generation capability of the turbine, by increasing speed of the incoming flow to the rotor and minimizing drag of the returning blades.

Abstract: A modular guided traveling vessel power generator system is provided, which has at least a vessel propelled by a fluid current with orientation means, for rotating around a pivoting axis by means of a pivoting element attached to a guiding system configured for guiding the vessel in a linear alternative direction perpendicular to the fluid current. The system has a transforming mechanism configured for transforming the linear movement of the vessel into another movement which drives at least a power generator unit. Additionally, a method for generating power is provided, which comprises pivoting a vessel propelled by a fluid current around a pivoting axis, guiding it in a linear alternative direction perpendicular to the fluid current, and transforming the linear movement of the vessel into another movement which drives at least a power generator unit.

Abstract: The modular hydrokinetic motor device is a power generation apparatus for generating power from water flows. The power generation apparatus has a transducer from hydraulic to mechanical energy with a hydraulic side and a mechanical side. A generator is coupled to the mechanical side of the transducer. The hydraulic side of the transducer has a guiding mechanism and a series of paddles adapted to move along the guiding mechanism. The guiding mechanism has a driving path that defines a linear movement along the guiding mechanism in a downstream direction and a driven path that defines a linear movement along the guiding mechanism in an upstream direction. The driving path and the driven path are parallel paths. The apparatus is configured so that the driving path have a higher dragging coefficient than the driven path.

Abstract: A media advancing device for a hardcopy apparatus comprising: a platen having at least one slot and a top surface, whereby a medium advances on the top surface; and a plurality of openings connecting the top surface to at least one zone of negative pressure; and a revolving overdrive roller having an outer surface, the outer surface emerging above the top surface through the slot, the overdrive roller being substantially sealed in a housing below the top surface, the housing separating the overdrive roller from the zone of negative pressure.