Abstract: The present invention provides a method for installing a hydroelectric turbine at a deployment site on the seabed which involves lowering the turbine and associated base onto the seabed from a vessel using a number of lines, and once on the seabed using these lines to tether the vessel to the base/turbine while telemetry from the base/turbine is analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of installing a hydroelectric turbine onto the seabed or the like while ensuring that a pre-laid electrical cable connected to the turbine prior to lowering to the seabed is not damaged during installation of the turbine, the method involving lowering the turbine towards the seabed while simultaneously displacing the turbine in order to maintain tension in the electrical cable.

Abstract: In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the housing, the improvement comprising providing at least one debris release chute in said housing such that debris captured between the rotor and the housing is released through the debris release chute.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine having a stator and a rotor housed concentrically within the stator, the turbine having a circumferentially disposed array of magnets on a rim of the rotor, and wherein the stator is slotless in configuration and is formed from a wire winding as opposed to the conventional toothed laminations, the turbine further having an annular array of individual coils mounted on the stator concentrically inwardly of the wire winding, each coil being provided with a dedicated rectifier to convert AC current induced in the coil into DC, preferably for transmission to a remote location.

Abstract: In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a stator housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the stator housing, the improvement comprising a buoyant rotor, the rotor preferably having buoyancy chambers disposed within the rotor. The buoyancy chambers may be disposed within the annular outer rim, the blades or an annular inner rim, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the buoyancy chambers are filled with a material having a specific gravity of one or less, and most preferably the filler material is a polymer foam that adds rigidity to the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an open centred hydroelectric turbine having an annular stator and a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator, the turbine comprising a magnetic bearing which is adapted, by having opposing sets of rotor and stator magnets which are offset at a top and bottom of the stator, to provide both axial and radial support to the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of installing a hydroelectric turbine onto the seabed or the like while ensuring that a pre-laid electrical cable connected to the turbine prior to lowering to the seabed is not damaged during installation of the turbine, the method involving lowering the turbine towards the seabed while simultaneously displacing the turbine in order to maintain tension in the electrical cable.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hydroelectric turbine which includes a stator and a shaftless rotor housed for rotation within the stator, the stator defining an opening or channel in which the rotor is retained and which channel is dimension to permit the rotor to undergo both axial rotation and displacement along the circumference of the opening, whereby during operation the rotor assumes substantially hypocycloidal motion relative to the stator.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hydroelectric generator component forming part of an electromagnetic circuit for generating electricity from tidal flows, the component including a wire wound coil or a magnet housed within a casing and secured therein by means of a filler material, such as to provide structural integrity and impact protection to the coil or magnet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for installing a hydroelectric turbine at a deployment site on the seabed which involves lowering the turbine and associated base onto the seabed from a vessel using a number of lines, and once on the seabed using these lines to tether the vessel to the base/turbine while telemetry from the base/turbine is analysed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine, and comprises a base and vessel beneath which the base can be secured, and to which base, from above deck, a hydroelectric turbine can be secured to the base and subsequently released with the base from the vessel.

Abstract: In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the housing, the improvement comprising providing at least one debris release chute in said housing such that debris captured between the rotor and the housing is released through the debris release chute.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine comprising a stator and a rotor housed concentrically within the stator, the turbine comprising a circumferentially disposed array of magnets on a rim of the rotor, and wherein the stator is slotless in configuration and is formed from a wire winding as opposed to the conventional toothed laminations, the turbine further comprising an annular array of individual coils mounted on the stator concentrically inwardly of the wire winding, each coil being provided with a dedicated rectifier to convert AC current induced in the coil into DC, preferably for transmission to a remote location.

Abstract: A hydro electric turbine having a flexible, collapsible front shroud, the upstream open end of the front shroud being controlled by a draw line passing through purse rings, whereby the upstream end can be closed by drawing on the draw line, thereby stopping water flow through the turbine. Decreased drag allows the turbine to rise to the surface. Opening the upstream end so that water flows into the turbine increases drag to lower the turbine into the water and causes rotation of the turbine blades.