Abstract: The invention provides a compound-pendulum up-conversion wave energy harvesting apparatus, comprising a shell floating on the water surface and swinging with fluctuation of waves, a compound-pendulum mechanism rotatably arranged in the shell and rotating with its swinging, a driving gear rotatably arranged in the shell and rotating synchronously with the compound-pendulum mechanism, an electromagnetic power generation mechanism arranged in the shell and configured to be meshed with the driving gear for transmission to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction, and a piezoelectric power generation mechanism arranged in the shell and configured to be deformed during its rotation to generate electricity through piezoelectric effect. When the shell swings un-directionally with fluctuation of the waves, the compound-pendulum mechanism makes un-directional rotation that adapts to the dynamic changes of water surface wave energy.

Abstract: A turbine, in particular for harvesting energy in flowing air or flowing water, is easily adaptable to different application conditions and facilitating a comparably high degree of efficiency. This is achieved in that the basic shape of the turbine is cylindrical and is provided with blades which are parallel to an axis of the turbine. The blades are pivotally arranged in joints on the outer circumference of at least one turbine wheel. The blades are substantially L-shaped. The longer limb of the blade is curved preferably in a manner corresponding to the radius of the turbine casing, and the shorter limb lies within the surface line of the turbine.

Abstract: A sea wave energy converter system, including a plurality of pioneer devices each of which is mounted on individual towers installed at a seabed, wherein each of the pioneer device includes an assembly having a set of gears connected to at least one fly wheel, at least one paddle, and a generator, wherein each of the pioneer devices mounted on the individual towers are lined-up in a particular arrangement covering a length of a sea crest so that incoming kinetic forces of sea waves rotates seriatim the at least one paddle of each of the pioneer devices to rotate the generator through the set of gears to generate electricity individually by each of the pioneer devices and wherein the particular arrangement is one of a diagonal arrangement, a cross arrangement, and a ‘V’ shaped arrangement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fountain device including: a fountain core and a floating portion. The fountain core includes a hydraulic portion and a power supply for providing power to the hydraulic portion and is configured to pump water from a water inlet at a lower portion by means of the hydraulic portion and spraying water via a water spout at an upper portion to form a fountain. The floating portion is configured to cause the fountain device to float in the water and forms a core mounting hole for holding the fountain core when inflated with a low density fluid, so that the fountain core can form a fountain by the hydraulic portion in a state that the fountain device floats in the water.

Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan including an array of fan blades rotatable about an engine axis, a compressor including a first compressor section and a second compressor section, the second compressor section including a second compressor section inlet with a compressor inlet annulus area, a fan duct including a fan duct annulus area outboard of the second compressor section inlet, and a turbine having a first turbine section driving the first compressor section, a second turbine section driving the fan through an epicyclic gearbox, the second turbine section including blades and vanes, and wherein the second turbine section defines a maximum gas path radius and the fan blades define a maximum radius, and a ratio of the maximum gas path radius to the maximum radius of the fan blades is less than 0.6.

Abstract: A kinetic modular machine for producing electricity from flows, either mono or bi-directional, moving at different speeds, includes one or more turbines that are “open center” and coaxial; a floating/positioning system; and a connection between the kinetic modular machine and a docking. Each turbine has a rotor, a stator, and a synchronous generator. In different configurations, the turbines are structurally, mechanically and electrically independent. The floating/positioning system includes a floater, a wing, and a fixture linking the turbines to the floater, implementing the control of the rotational axes (roll, pitch, yaw), with the wing keeping the machine at a given distance from the shore and the fluid surface. The modular design, having independent turbines, allows for a flexible design, keeping the installation and maintenance costs low.

Abstract: The application relates to unidirectional hydrokinetic turbines having an improved flow acceleration system that uses asymmetrical hydrofoil shapes on some or all of the key components of the turbine. These components that may be hydrofoil shaped include, e.g., the rotor blades (34), the center hub (36), the rotor blade shroud (38), the accelerator shroud (20), annular diffuser(s) (40), the wildlife and debris excluder (10, 18) and the tail rudder (60). The fabrication method designs various components to cooperate in optimizing the extraction of energy, while other components reduce or eliminate turbulence that could negatively affect other component(s).

Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan including a circumferential array of fan blades, a compressor in fluid communication with the fan, the compressor including a first compressor section and a second compressor, the second compressor section including a second compressor section inlet with a second compressor section inlet annulus area, a fan duct including a fan duct annulus area outboard of the second compressor section inlet, a shaft assembly having a first portion and a second portion, a turbine in fluid communication with the combustor, the turbine having a first turbine section coupled to the first portion of the shaft assembly to drive the first compressor section, and a second turbine section coupled to the second portion of the shaft assembly to drive the fan, an epicyclic transmission coupled to the fan and rotatable by the second turbine section through the second portion of the shaft assembly to allow the second turbine to turn fa

Abstract: An axial flow turbine for generating electricity in low-head environments comprises a runner supported by guide vanes that are curved or contoured to direct flowing water onto fixed turbine blades. The axial flow turbine has a housing that provides an outer draft tube. A second inner draft tube is supported within the outer draft. The axial flow turbine may have a bulb or pit-type housing at the intake chamber for housing a direct-drive variable-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and power converter system. The axial flow turbine may be installed as a single modular unit in low head environments.

Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: The disclosure defined by this invention provide a tidal current power generator capable of maximizing the force, which is generated by tidal current flows, through changing operating direction itself without any manual operation when water flow direction is changed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a tidal current power generator includes a main frame; a plurality of operating bodies; a plurality of power plates configured to forcibly move the plurality of operating bodies in the direction of the tidal current by the force of the tidal current; a pair of clutch jaws engaged with or spaced from each other by axial movement of an outer pipe; a locking part configured to move the outer pipe so that each of the clutch jaws is engaged with each other; and a release part configured to move the outer pipe so that each of the clutch jaws is spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to a vertical axis unidirectional rotor for wave energy conversion, said rotor comprising a plurality of spatially distributed lift-type and/or drag-type blades and a shaft, said rotor performing unidirectional rotation in waves about the shaft that is vertically oriented.

Abstract: A turbofan engine has an engine case and a gaspath through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. The engine further has a compressor, a combustor, a gas generating turbine, and a low pressure turbine section. A speed reduction mechanism couples the low pressure turbine section to the fan. A bypass area ratio is greater than about 6.0. The low pressure turbine section airfoil count to bypass area ratio is below about 170.

Abstract: A water turbine device is provided which can move a water turbine from a use position to a nonuse position with a light force, and which has a simplified structure. An intermediate portion of a suspension support rod for suspending a water turbine immersed in a flowing water in a waterway is pivotally attached to a platform provided on the waterway with a horizontal shaft, and a power generation device as a balance weight is provided at the free end of the suspension support rod, and the water turbine is rotatable around the horizontal shaft between the use position where the water turbine is immersed in a flowing water and the nonuse position above the flowing water.

Abstract: A water flow power generating device, including an installing platform positioned on the water surface, a rotating mechanism on the installing platform, and a tower, a nacelle and an impeller that are positioned in water. The upper end of the tower is fixed on the rotating mechanism; the impeller consists of a hub and a plurality of blades; a central shaft of a hub is parallel to the water surface and connected to a power generator; a wheel ring is nested on a distant end of each blade remote from center of the hub; the side wall of the wheel ring is of a hollow structure or the hub is of a hollow structure; the displacement of the hollow structure of the wheel ring or the hub equals the self weight of the impeller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a modular hydrokinetic turbine. An apparatus includes modular vertically floating units tethered to shore with a generator residing above a waterway and a plurality of vertically oriented blades submerged in the waterway to convert a latent kinetic energy of a moving waterway into electricity.

Abstract: A hydroelectricity generating unit capturing marine current energy includes a floating hull, at least one paddle wheel assembly, at least one generator assembly, a torque transmission system, and an anti-drift mooring system. The at least one paddle wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the floating hull and operatively coupled with the at least one generator assembly by the torque transmission system, wherein a kinetic energy of the at least one paddle wheel assembly is transferred to the at least one generator assembly by the torque transmission system to generate hydroelectricity. The torque transmission system can be a hydraulic system, a pulley system, a multiple gearbox system, or a direct driveshaft. The floating hull is tensionably coupled to a subsurface environment by the anti-drift mooring system, enabling the least one paddle wheel assembly to capture water current.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for producing energy via use of gravity. The system is for generating energy, and in particular electrical energy, by utilizing the abundant force of gravity that exists and then integrating such a force into a system design of energy power generation by converting the force of gravity into potential energy then into kinetic energy and from kinetic energy back into potential energy again, by using the system's autonomous methodology of fluid recycling to produce electric power generation in the process.

Abstract: A water power plant for the generation of electric current from includes a housing around which a flowing medium passes on an outer side, a stator of an electric generator and a rotor of the generator, which is rotatably mounted relative to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor ring with an annular surface and an arrangement of inwardly extending turbine blades, thereby defining a free-standing axis of rotation. The housing defines an inlet portion with a first front-side cutting edge which delimits a circular inlet opening, from which extends an inlet-side guide surface to the rotor, and an outlet portion with an outlet opening, between which a flow path passing the rotor ring can be formed. It is provided that the inlet opening has a free inlet cross-section which is maximally as large as a cross-sectional area delimited by the rotor ring.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for an energy capturing pod (ECP). The ECP includes a specialized funnel shell, a first turbine, and a second turbine. The specialized funnel shell is designed to accelerate in coming wind speed and is structured with a first choke point and a second choke point for wind. The first turbine is located at the first choke point. The second turbine is located at the second choke point.

Abstract: A device for extracting energy from flowing fluid is provided. First and second buoyant lateral side members are provided. A fluid turbine is disposed between and below the lateral side members. At least one support extends from each side member to the turbine. At least one adjustable length support connects to the first and second side members, the at least one adjustable length support being adjustable between a minimum length and a maximum length. When a length of the adjustable length support adjusts toward the minimum length the first and second side members move closer together to thereby lower the turbine relative to the lateral side members. When the length of the at least one adjustable length support adjusts toward the maximum length the first and second side members move away from each other to thereby raise the turbine relative to the lateral side members.

Abstract: A floating wind turbine structure comprising: a rotor carrying at least one blade, at least two support arms supporting a nacelle, said at least two support arms comprising upper and lower portions, said upper portions being associated with the nacelle and said lower portions being associated with means in the shape of floats, at least one support arm located upstream from the rotor relative to the wind direction, at least one support arm located downstream from the rotor relative to the wind direction, characterized in that the rotor is provided with a hollow shaft arranged to rotate about the nacelle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing oscillations in an offshore wind turbine comprising one or more thrusters, the method comprising determining an oscillation of the offshore wind turbine and operating the one or more thrusters such that the oscillation is reduced. The invention further relates to an offshore wind turbine comprising one or more underwater thrusters, oscillation determination system for determining an oscillation of the wind turbine and a control system for operating the underwater thrusters in response to signals received from the oscillation determination system.

Abstract: A downwind morphing rotor that exhibits bending loads that will be reduced by aligning the rotor blades with the composite forces. This reduces the net loads on the blades which therefore allow for a reduced blade mass for a given maximum stress. Also provided is a pre-aligned configuration rotor whereby the rotor geometry and orientation does not change with wind speed, and instead is fixed at a constant downwind deflection consistent with alignment at or near the rated wind speed conditions. Also provided is a twist morphing rotor where the airfoil-shapes around the spars twist relative to the wind due to aerodynamic forces so as to unload the rotors when there is a gust. This can help reduce unsteady stresses on the blade and therefore may allow for reduced blade mass and cost. The twist morphing rotor may be combined with either downwind morphing rotor or pre-alignment rotor.

Abstract: A support structure for mooring a vertically extending floating wind turbine or the like body has a ring of tether attachment points for connecting respective tethers running down to the seabed. The ring is spaced from the body by a ring of inclined struts running diagonally downwardly and inwardly from the plane of the attachment points.

Abstract: A hydro blade turbine system preferably includes a housing, a current divider, a plurality of collapsible pockets, a pair of idler gears, a pair of drive gears, a pair of chains, an idler shaft and a drive shaft. Each one of the plurality of collapsible pockets include a first plate, a second plate, a hinge member, a pocket liner and a bobber. The plurality of collapsible pockets are pivotally engaged with the pair of chains. A first embodiment of the hydro blade turbine is located inside a chamber or a boiler. If a boiler is used, a lower end of the hydro blade turbine is located above a steam generation area of the boiler. A second embodiment of the hydro blade turbine uses ignited natural gas to propel the plurality of collapsible pockets. A third embodiment of the hydro blade turbine uses steam to propel the plurality of collapsible pockets.

Abstract: A method of testing a hydroelectric turbine before the turbine is installed and secured on the seabed, in order to ensure that the turbine is operating as expected, the method involving securing the turbine to a vessel and displacing the vessel through water in order to effect rotation while monitoring one or more operating parameters of the turbine.

Abstract: A device for conversion of energy of a wave of water comprises a front (11) and a back (12) opposite the front (11), a top (13) and a bottom (14) opposite the top (13), an inlet chamber (15) which has a partition (16), an inlet valve (17) at the front (11) between the top (13) and the partition (16) and an inlet chamber vent (18), wherein the inlet valve (17) allows flow of water in one direction into the inlet chamber (15). An outlet chamber (19) has an outlet valve (20) between the partition (16) and the bottom (14), and an outlet chamber vent (21) positioned between the partition (16) and the top (13), adapted to maintain atmosperic pressure of air in the outlet chamber (19), wherein the outlet valve (20) allows flow of water in one direction out of the outlet chamber (19).

Abstract: A pipe of an apparatus has a first gas in a first space and a second gas in a second space. The first gas is in the amount to generate a buoyancy force that exceeds at least a gravity force to position the apparatus in a stationary state at a predetermined distance relative to a reference surface. A fixture is coupled to the apparatus to secure the apparatus in the stationary state relative to the ground without supporting the apparatus. The first gas is lighter than the second gas. The pipe is capable of creating a flow of the second gas.

Abstract: A flowing-water driveable turbine assembly (104) for location in river or sea areas with unidirectional and bidirectional water flows. The turbine assembly comprises a turbine support (106) with positive buoyancy in water. The turbine support (106) is arranged to be anchored by an anchoring system (108) to a water bed. The turbine assembly comprises at least one turbine (110). The positive buoyancy of the turbine assembly in water has an upward force to constrain the turbine support 106 and the at least one turbine (110) to a position of floating equilibrium against a downward force of the anchoring system (108). The turbine assembly may have variable buoyancy, a duct around each turbine for directing water through the turbine to generate power from water flow, and a winch or winches for submerging the turbine assembly or parts thereof.

Abstract: A hydroelectricity generating unit capturing marine wave energy and marine current energy is completed with a buoyant floating frame, a plurality of electric generating pontoons, and a floating frame mooring system. The buoyant floating frame is positioned underneath water and connected with a seabed by the floating frame mooring system and connected with the plurality of electric generating pontoons by a plurality of pontoon mooring systems. The buoyant floating frame includes marine current electric generating units which are rotatably connected within the buoyant floating frame and utilize the marine current energy to produce electricity. The plurality of electric generating pontoons also produces additional electricity by the flowing marine wave energy and marine current energy.

Abstract: A wave power plant for extracting energy from the wave movement of a water surface area, which wave power plant comprises a frame construction (1), in which at least two rotors (3, 3a) are journalled, and wherein each rotor (3, 3a) is suspended in the frame construction (1) to the effect that the water mill wheel (3) is able to rotate about a shaft which is, in the normal use position of the wave power plant, essentially horizontal and is retained in the frame construction (1), and wherein means are provided for maintaining each of the rotors (3, 3a) partially immersed into a water surface area. The wave power plant is floating and comprises at least two non-parallel rotor shafts on which at least one rotor (3, 3a) is arranged on each rotor shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine system comprising a base mounted turbine for location on the seabed or the like, in order to generate electricity from the tidal flow of water through the turbine, the system incorporating a load bank, for example in the form of an array of resistive windings, to which the turbine can be selectively electrically connected in order to dissipate the electrical power as heat into the passing water.

Abstract: A free stream fluid kinetic energy conversion device combines a large diameter freewheeling primary rotor with small diameter secondary power takeoff rotors placed within the lift induced blade tip vortices of the primary rotor. This enables use of high rotational speed generating units and avoids diseconomy of scale in gearbox expense. The device partially recovers otherwise lost blade tip vortex energy. The freewheeling primary rotor transmits no reaction torque to the support structure. Resilient buoyant tether deployment accommodates transient eddy induced structural loads.

Abstract: An electrical generation system. A floating vessel is anchored in flowing water. Inlets in the hull of the vessel capture flowing water and direct the water to one or more turbines. The system is designed so that all flows are two-dimensional to the extent possible. The latter feature greatly simplifies both design and construction.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic cylinder for converting buoyancy energy of compressed gas into mechanical energy. The cylinder can include a pair of end plates disposed at opposite ends of the cylinder and a drive axle extending longitudinally through the cylinder and passing through the center of each end plate. The cylinder can also include a core support coupled to each end plate and centrally disposed in the cylinder and a plurality of vanes for promoting a low-drag flow. Each of the plurality of vanes is coupled to the core support and the pair of end plates. A bucket is defined by the core support, two of the plurality of vanes, and the pair of end plates. The cylinder further includes a vane support coupled to the plurality of vanes and the core support. The vane support defines a plurality of openings formed therein through which a gas can pass for equalizing pressure in the bucket.

Abstract: A floating turbine, including a vertical substantially fixed structure such as a pile or cable, a hydroelectric turbine, a connecting piece between the turbine and the structure that is operative to enable vertical motion of the turbine on the surface of the water.

Abstract: A water wheel impeller blade type electric power generating apparatus with which, on the forward motion side, the hydraulic pressure applied to the impeller blade is reduces, and the mud, sand, dirt, and the like will not be collected into the water wheel. The impeller blade is rotatably disposed on the rotor, and has a stopper part and a fluid receiving part extending from this stopper part and being longer than the stopper part, the fluid receiving part being provided with a length large enough that when the impeller blade is thrust down the fluid receiving part covers the stopper part of an adjacent impeller blade. To a top plate constituting a frame body of the apparatus, a fluid guide plate inclined inward being fixed for guiding the fluid to the impeller blades positioned under the rotating shaft of the rotor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a natural energy extraction apparatus comprising a vertical rotating shaft and a float for supporting the vertical rotating shaft, wherein the internal structure of the float is simpler, the float and a mooring apparatus are more compact, and production cost is lower than in the conventional natural energy extraction apparatus. A natural energy extraction apparatus comprises a first float forming a swingable vertical rotating shaft, a second float moored to surround the first float, and a power transmission device attached to the second float to convert rotational kinetic energy of the first float to driving torque for driven equipment, and the natural energy extraction apparatus is installed on a body of water.

Abstract: Certain vertical-axis wind and water turbine blades suffer from drag that reduces the turbine's torque and turbine-generated power. Significant drag is generated when the blade is turning upstream on the return side of the turbine. This invention is a blade system that reduces upstream (return) side drag to almost nothing by enabling the turbine blade to tilt or swivel to eliminate almost all fluid resistance to the blade on the upstream side. The result is much increased turbine efficiency, increased torque and power from vertical-axis wind or water turbines. The increased power resulting from this innovative turbine blade system enables the use of gearboxes to increase the RPM of vertical axis turbines for electricity generation, and also enables easier self-starting. Easier to manufacture turbine blades use linear approximations for the curved sections of modified Savonius blade profile.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a natural energy extraction apparatus which can extract kinetic energies of river water currents or tidal water currents at various depth layers, and which is easy to attach to the fixed structure above water current. A natural energy extraction apparatus comprises a float, a vertical-axis water turbine fixed to the float and extending downward, a power transmission device engaging an upper end of the float and converting rotational kinetic energy of the float to driving torque for driven equipment, and arm members supporting the power transmission device rotatably around a horizontal axis at one ends and supported by a fixed structure above a water current rotatably around a horizontal axis at the other ends, wherein the float and the vertical-axis water turbine are located in a river water current or tidal water current.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor which uses a hydrostatic force to generate a torque which repeats cyclically owing to a displacement of the center of gravity of a cyclic unit. Float bodies (116) are subjected to a buoyant force in a fluid (134), which buoyant force causes an upward movement (146) of the float bodies and drives these into an upper position. The upward movement drives a drive element. The upward movement furthermore causes air to be forced from upper segments (102a, 102d) of a deformable element (100) into lower segments (102b, 102c), and as a result the center of gravity of the cyclic units which comprise the float bodies (116) and the deformable element (100) is raised above an axis of rotation (106). When the float bodies (116) have passed into the upper position thereof, said elevated center of gravity position permits a rotation of the cyclic units into the initial position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an device for production of energy from currents in water, comprising a first element (10), a second element (20) and a plurality of turbine modules (750) connected to the first element. The second element is mounted on the first element in an approximately perpendicular relationship, the first element is adapted for submersion below a water surface, and an upper part of the second element projects up above the water surface when the plant is in production. The invention also relates to an anchoring device for a floating plant (10, 20), comprising mooring lines (24a, 24b) which are connected at one of their respective ends to the plant and which are connected at their respective second ends to buoys (50, 52), where the mooring lines (24a, 24b) extend substantially horizontally between the plant and the respective buoys.

Abstract: A system comprises an apparatus, an actuator and a processor. The apparatus defines a flow path through an aperture, the aperture defines a pressure drop along the flow path, and the actuator regulates fluid flow across the pressure drop. The processor comprises a flow module, a comparator, an estimator and a control law. The flow module maps a flow curve relating a flow parameter to a pressure ratio, and defines a solution point located on the flow curve and a focus point located off the flow curve. The comparator generates an error as a function of a slope defined between the focus and solution points. The estimator moves the solution point along the flow curve, such that the error is minimized. The control law directs the actuator to position the control element, such that the flow parameter describes the fluid flow and the pressure ratio describes the pressure drop.

Abstract: A kinetic hydropower generation system has a turbine and a generator coupled to the turbine. An underwater intake nozzle assembly is fluidly coupled to the turbine. For one embodiment, an underwater tower nozzle may be fluidly coupled between the turbine and the underwater intake nozzle assembly. The underwater intake nozzle assembly may include a collector and a converging nozzle.

Abstract: A multipurpose rotary device includes a rotor configured to include a plurality of blades in a circumferential direction; and a load guide body configured to guide a flow of fluids flowing into the inside of the rotor, wherein the load guide body includes an upper support member and a lower support member configured to be disposed to face each other at the upper and lower sides thereof and connected to one another such that the rotor is rotatably installed; load guide plates configured to correspond to the blades and are rotatably installed between the upper and lower support members in a longitudinal direction; and stop pins configured to be formed on inner surfaces facing the upper and lower support members to control a rotational angle of the load guide plates.

Abstract: An underwater air or gas powered apparatus utilizes the buoyant force of water to generate power in the form of work or electricity. Air bags are spaced circumferentially around the perimeter of a rotary member immersed in water and are alternately inflated and deflated in a sequence enabling buoyant forces to rotate the rotary member. A generator is coupled to the rotary member for generating power in response to rotation of the rotary member.

Abstract: Methods of determining thickness and phase of a GST layer on a semiconductor substrate are described using intensity spectra within the infra-red range. In particular, techniques for using certain transmission at certain frequencies are disclosed for faster thickness and phase determination in an in-line or standalone metrology/monitoring system for CMP processes.

Abstract: A Barrage apparatus is a method and device for extracting energy from flowing fluids in an open flow by means of a submerged barrage or barrages that obstruct and channel flows at increased velocities to downstream turbine power take off modules. Increasing the velocity of the flow increases the amount of power available for extraction thereby providing opportunities to extract energy from low flow sites and facilitate the use of low cost small marine turbines to provide an ecologically sound, efficient and cost effective method of renewable energy extraction from fluid flows.

Abstract: A support system for at least one water drivable turbine (1) that when in operation is immersed in a column of flowing water, characterized in that the system includes a deck or raft (3) for supporting said at least one turbine when immersed, the deck or raft (3) having an inherent buoyancy which is such as to enable the deck or raft (3) to rise through the column of water upon reduction of the buoyancy, the arrangement being such that the associated turbine or turbines (1) can be raised above the surface of said column in order to access the turbine for maintenance purposes.