Abstract: In an electropneumatic field device for controlling a pneumatic actuator, an energy converter converts pneumatic energy of a pneumatic power supply of the actuator into electrical energy. An oscillating permanent magnet receives a compressed air pulse to perform a forward motion. A return device transmits a return force to the oscillating permanent magnet for performing a return motion opposite to the forward motion. An electrical voltage is induced into a coil of the energy converter by the forward and return motions of the oscillating permanent magnet. The return device is designed to generate a magnetic field that is polarized with respect to the oscillating permanent magnet such that a magnetic repulsion return force induces the return motion.

Abstract: A helical turbine is operatively connected to at least one generator system for generating electrical power. System performance is optimized by controlling the operative angle between the longitudinal axis of the turbine and the direction of the current flow and by controlling a pitch ratio of the turbine. A pair of turbines, arranged in V-shape, each at the operative angle from a neutral centerline, provides symmetry and counteracts reactive torque. For wind operations, the V-shape is freely rotatable into the wind. For bi-directional tidal operations, the V-shape is part of a buoyant structure, positioned in the current and anchored to the floor. The structure is fit with control surfaces to ensure the system orientation. In unidirectional currents, one or more turbines can be angled downwardly into the current at the operative angle, elevators ensuring the angle is maintained.

Abstract: The hydroelectric power generating system incorporates a man-made dam structure configured to completely enclose a body of water. The dam is preferably filled by pumping seawater into the reservoir defined by the encircling dam. A circumferential canal feeds water to one or more penstocks. Each penstock has one or more hydroelectric turbine generators installed therealong. The penstocks feed an enclosed circumferential channel about the base of the dam. The channel delivers water to a pump that pumps the water back into the bottom of the reservoir. An auxiliary hydroelectric power generating system disposed within the dam utilizes the water exiting from the lower end of the penstocks for additional production of energy. While this system results in a net loss of energy, the system can make use of surplus power to drive the return pump during periods of low electrical demand in order to replenish the reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method for load control of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a plurality of wind turbine components for load monitoring; defining a load envelope for each of the selected components and storing the load envelopes in a controller, the load envelopes defining a maximum acceptable load capacity for the respective component that may be at or near the component's design capability; directly or indirectly monitoring loads on the selected components and generating corresponding load signals that are communicated to the controller; with the controller, determining if the loads acting on each of the selected components are within the component's respective load envelope; and the controller initiating corrective action in the event that the load acting on any one of the selected components exceeds the component's load envelope.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water flow regulating device and an ocean power generating device using the same. The water flow regulating device includes a main body, a water deflector, a rotating shaft, a winding shaft, a rope or cable, and a driving unit. The water deflector is pivotally connected with the main body. The rotating shaft is rotatably disposed at the main body. The winding shaft is disposed at the main body. One end of the rope or cable is fixed to the water deflector, and the other end bypasses the rotating shaft and the winding shaft, goes back to the water deflector and is fixed to the water deflector. The driving unit is connected with the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate, such that the rope or cable is driven to withdraw or release to control the water deflector to rotate.

Abstract: A power circuit includes a boost circuit having a boost switching element, a coil provided between a battery and the boost switching element and a rectifier element provided between the coil and a load, a first switch connected to the boost circuit in parallel, a current detection circuit detecting current flowing through the first switch and a control circuit turning on the first switch during a normal state other than a restart of an engine after an idling stop and turning off the first switch and controlling an operation of the boost switching element at a restart of the engine after an idling stop so that voltage of the battery is boosted and supplied to the load. The control circuit determines based on the current detected by the current detection circuit during the normal state whether or not the first switch has an open fault.

Abstract: A system for harvesting energy including: an electrical machine including a first and a second structure, movable with respect to each other; a counterweight coupled to the second structure; a power transfer structure, electrically connected between the first structure and the load; an angular position sensor which provides a position signal ({right arrow over (?)}(t)) indicating the angular position of the counterweight; and an accelerometer which provides an acceleration signal ({right arrow over (a)}(t)) indicating an acceleration which affects the first structure.

Abstract: A linear generator for submerged use in generating electricity has a linearly reciprocating translator which is attached to a wire and a rod arranged to connect the translator to a floating body on the sea surface. The generator has a sealed housing forming a watertight chamber in which the translator is located. The rod is arranged to pass through a sealed opening in a wall portion of the housing. When operated, the wall portion with the sealed opening is located at a level that is below the level of the upper end of the translator at least during a part of the movement of the translator.

Abstract: The pump/generator apparatus and method provides a series of pump/generator devices, having magnets in place of conventional bearings, to generate electrical energy, creating a pump/generator for flowing liquids or gases. Stator coils on the outside of the housing gather electric current. The apparatus requires initial input power from an external power source to start the pumping and provides an initial external reservoir of liquid or gas flowing into the apparatus. A hollow turbine housing receiving flowing gas or liquid, encloses a freely spinning hollow drive cylinder. A helicoidal impeller gives the drive cylinder thrust to spin. Ring magnets vertically support the helicoidal impeller allowing the drive cylinder to float freely in the pipeline. Stator coils wind around and ring the exterior side of the housing to generate electric current.

Abstract: An alternator-starter system and method is disclosed. A method of operating an alternator-starter having an inverter/rectifier for starting an engine and charging a plurality of batteries includes providing two switches for each battery, monitoring voltages of each of the plurality of batteries, and switching the switches to selectively charge individual ones of the plurality of batteries. A system includes a plurality of batteries connected in series, and includes first and second switches for each battery, the first switch being operable to switchably connect the upper rail of the inverter/rectifier with the respective (+) terminal, the second switch being operable to switchably connect the lower rail of the inverter/rectifier with the respective (?) terminal. A high voltage configuration may be utilized for motoring and generating modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stator frame (12) for a submerged linear generator. According to the invention the stator frame (12) includes a cylindrical tube of metal with mounting means (13, 14, 15, 16) for mounting stator packages to the inside wall of the tube. The stator frame (12) also is the external circumferential wall of the linear generator. The invention also relates to the use of such a stator frame (12) and to a method for manufacturing a linear generator with such a stator frame (12).

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a support axis and a wind wheel. The wind wheel includes a rotation base, plural rotation stand sets, plural deflection structures, plural blades, and plural deflection-limiting structures corresponding to the plural blades. The rotation base is rotatably disposed on the support axis. The plural rotation stand sets may define a rotation plane. A first end of each rotation stand set is fixedly disposed on the rotation base. Each blade is pivotally coupled to a second end of the corresponding rotation stand set through the corresponding deflection structure. Consequently, an angle of attack of the blade in an airflow is correspondingly adjusted. When one of the plural blades is deflected, the corresponding deflection-limiting structure generates a first rotational torque in a first rotating direction or a second rotational torque in a second rotating direction so as to rotate the rotation base.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a horizontally-laid tangential rooftop wind power generator comprising: a generator mounted on a chassis and coupled to a tangential fan wheel or a plurality of tangential fan wheels, all housed in a cover with two long fan openings one at each of the two sides. Wind-directing panels extend outwardly from the two fan openings to form two shrouded duct openings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct drive generator for a wind turbine, the generator including a rotor, a stator configured to remain stationary relative to the rotor, and at least one bearing connected to the stator. The rotor includes at least one rotor part extending circumferentially about an axis of rotation and a plurality of active materials arranged on a side of the at least one rotor part. The stator includes at least one stator part extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation and positioned adjacent to the at least one rotor part, and at least one winding arrangement supported by the at least one stator part and facing the plurality of active materials. The bearing is flexibly connected to the at least one stator part, wherein the bearing abuts the rotor part to help maintain a gap between the at least one winding arrangement and the active materials.

Abstract: A device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, having a pendulum which includes a pendulum rod and a pendulum weight and is suspended in oscillating fashion on a shaft, a generator connected to the shaft and configured to convert the rotational energy of the pendulum into electrical energy, and means by which the pendulum is rigidly connected to the shaft when it oscillates in a predetermined direction. The pendulum is suspended in a tiltable frame, the tilt axis of which is located below an oscillation path of the pendulum and parallel to the pendulum axis. A push rod of a hydraulic or pneumatic drive cylinder supplied with energy for the pendulum drive is connected to the frame, and the drive cylinder is pivotably connected to the elements of the device that convert the electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tidal current power generator. In the tidal current power generator, tidal current flows in a concentrated manner into a power generation module for generating electrical energy using the flow of tidal current, in order to increase the speed of the tidal current. Thus, the amount of electrical energy generated by the power generation module may be improved to achieve highly efficient performance. Also, the range of locations in which the power generation module may be installed is significantly expanded in order to increase the electrical generation using tidal current. Since the power generation module is integrally assembled and then refloated in order to install same on the bottom of the sea, the power generation module may be easily installed as well as easily repaired and maintained.

Abstract: A novel and useful method and apparatus for generating power from pressure changes over time within a fluid. The apparatus comprises a housing (10), and a double-sided piston (12) subject to the forces brought about by the variations in pressure of the surrounding fluid and by a restoring force such as a spring (20) or other mechanism. The resulting motion of the piston is transferred to power a generator, or is used to directly perform work. The apparatus is particularly applicable to placement in the ocean or sea where the rise and fall of the tides create the variations of pressure that drive the piston within the housing. A rising tide presents a higher pressure against the face of the piston pushing it towards the back of the housing and opposing the restoring force mechanism. A falling tide presents a lower pressure against the face of the piston allowing the restoring force to move it towards the front of the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a wave energy device which optimizes energy conversion from waves with a stable submerged platform coupled to compliant chain of floats (“pods”) which are connected to the platform by piston pumps. Wave action drives pumps to deliver pressurized water to a hydro turbine coupled to an electric generator for delivery of electric power to shore via a submarine cable. Alternatively, the pressurized water may be delivered to shore through pipes on the ocean floor, to generate electric power, also as input flow for reverse osmosis potable water production and for cooling applications.

Abstract: A generator having a coupling adapted to couple at least two fluid conduits together; an axial flow channel defined by the hose coupling and having an axis; a conductive coil in the hose coupling enveloping the axial flow channel; a rotor rotatable relative to the conductive coil and encircled by the conductive coil; a plurality of vanes coupled to the rotor and projecting radially toward the axis, but not intersecting the axis.

Abstract: A split collar mountable turbine is assembled in two separate halves and circumferentially attachable around existing structures. Top and bottom attachment rings each comprise first and second arcuate elements adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form two rings formed in spaced relation. A fan blade housing ring adapted to interface into complimentary slots within the top and bottom rings is received in complimentary slots and moves in tracks located in the top and bottom rings by magnetic levitation. The turbine further includes two pair of off-axis electrical generators each having rotating gears driven by rotation of said fan blade housing for producing electricity. A series of set screws and set guides affixed to the top and bottom rings can be adjusted to engage and be supported by a structure that is collared in the open center of the cylindrical wind turbine.