Abstract: A method for locking the rotor of a wind turbine includes providing the rotor with at least one rotor blade which can be displaced about its longitudinal axis by an adjusting device from an operating position into a vane position, in which substantially no torque acts upon the rotor. The rotor drives a generator and can be prevented from rotation in a locking position by inserting a locking bolt into a rotor-side receiving opening. A wind turbine for performing the method includes a rotor which is induced into a creeping rotational movement at such a low rotational speed by short-circuiting at least one stator winding of the generator that a locking bolt can be inserted into a rotor-side receiving opening while the rotor is rotating.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises a system focusing water current into a relatively smaller diameter lumen, imparting vortical movement to the current, and directing the water vortex through an even smaller diameter lumen en route to turbine blades having long curved blades rotatable along an axis parallel with the lumen. Rotation of the turbine blades turns gearing interfacing with the circumference of the turbine assembly, to rotate a drive shaft connected to a generator.

Abstract: A power generation system (1) comprises a housing (3) which at least partly houses a turbine rotor (6) a shaft (4) and a electrical generator arrangement. The system further comprises an inlet guide vane arrangement (16) and an outlet stay vane arrangement (20) which are each detachably attached to the housing (3). The housing (3) comprises two parts (24, 25) that are releasably attached to one another such that the two parts (24, 25) of the housing (3) can be at least partly separated from one another to permit access to the turbine rotor (6) and the electrical generator system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a drum may be submerged in water and extend horizontally along a center axis between a first point on a first side of the drum and a second point on a second side of the drum opposite the first side. Three curved vanes may be attached to the drum such that the vanes, when acted upon by a water flow perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis, wherein an edge portion of each vane, located substantially opposite the drum, defines a plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by a surface of the drum located between the edge portion and the axis. An electrical generator coupled to the drum may convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

Abstract: A pumped-storage power plant, such as an electric unit can include a frequency converter and a rotating electric synchronous machine, the machine being provided in a cavern. The frequency converter can include at least two elements which can be used as inverters or as rectifiers according to the operating mode of the machine, for example during the operation of the motor or during the operation of the generator. The machine-side element can be provided within the cavern, and the network-side element can be provided outside of the cavern.

Abstract: A yaw backup system is provided. The yaw backup system includes an energy storage medium for storing auxiliary power. The yaw backup system also includes a yaw controller for coordinating delivery of power from the energy storage medium to a yaw motor for controlling a yaw angle of a wind turbine during grid loss conditions. The yaw controller executes the steps of receiving wind direction signals over time from a sensor, altering a tolerance level of a wind turbine based on changes in the wind direction signals over time and controlling delivery of power to the yaw motor from the auxiliary power of the energy storage medium based on the tolerance level to control the yaw angle for reducing a load on the wind turbine induced by wind.

Abstract: A solar energy driven power generation system includes a solar energy receiver configured to collect solar energy. A vapor generator is operably connected to the solar energy receiver. A vapor turbine is operably connected to the vapor generator and is configured to be driven by a flow of vapor from the vapor generator. An electrical power generator is operably connected to the vapor turbine and driven thereby. A thermal conditioning system is operably connected to the vapor turbine and is driven by a flow of output vapor or hot liquid from the vapor turbine. A method of power generation includes collecting solar thermal energy and generating vapor utilizing the solar thermal energy. A vapor turbine is driven by the vapor and electrical power is produced via the rotation of the vapor turbine. Output vapor from the vapor turbine is utilized to drive a thermal conditioning system.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: an induction generator; a switch that opens or closes an electrical connection path connecting the induction generator to an electrical path in which an alternating current of a predetermined frequency flows; a control unit that controls the opening and closing state of the switch; and an expander that rotationally drives the induction generator by a working medium supplied thereto. In order to suppress a starting current generated when starting the induction generator while suppressing an increase in cost, the control unit closes the switch after the working medium is supplied to the expander so that the expander starts to rotationally drive the induction generator.

Abstract: A linear generator includes a permanent magnet array having at least two magnets arranged end-to-end. A set of conductive coils is arranged around the permanent magnet array. A four-phase full wave rectifier is configured to accept alternating current inputs from the set of conductive coils and to produce one or more direct current outputs. A summing circuit is configured to aggregate the one or more direct current outputs from the rectifier to produce a combined, rectified direct current output.

Abstract: A buoy includes a flotation device configured to float at surface of a body of water. A vibrational linear electric generator (VLEG) is configured to generate power from vibrational oscillations caused by waves using compressed repulsive magnetic fields focused by end magnetic field deflecting magnets. A power collection circuit, which includes a first battery, is configured to collect and store energy generated by the VLEG. One or more electronic components are powered by the vibrational linear electric generator.

Abstract: A variable speed generator for producing AC electrical power includes an alternator powerable by rotational action to generate a first AC current, and a first rectifier which rectifies the first AC current from the alternator. The generator further includes a main exciter having a first field winding which receives the rectified first AC current, and having a first armature which produces in response a second AC current. The generator further includes a second rectifier which rectifies the second AC current from the first armature. The generator further includes a main generator having a second field winding which receives the rectified second AC current, and having a second armature which produces in response an output AC current. The second field winding is configured to provide a plurality of selectively activatable pole configurations which differ in the number of their poles, such that the frequency of the output AC current can be varied by switching between the pole configurations.

Abstract: A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a tower, a plurality of blades, a rotor supported by the tower and rotatably coupled to the plurality of blades, a control unit programmed to predict a net energy of the tower at one or more future points in time, and if the predicted net energy is within a design limit, then continue with baseline operating control models for normal operation of the wind turbine system, if the predicted net energy exceeds the design limit, then use a non-linear tower damping model to generate tower damping commands to control tower damping of the wind turbine system.

Abstract: An electric system and method includes a flux regulated permanent magnet generator configured to provide power for an accessory electric system. The accessory electric system includes an engine accessory and a voltage regulator. The engine accessory includes an induction motor that receives power from the flux regulated permanent magnet generator. The voltage regulator is configured to control an output of the flux regulated permanent magnet generator to maintain a constant voltage-to-frequency ratio.

Abstract: An electrical DC generation system is disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for electrical DC generation includes an electrical machine having multiple stator windings and multiple rectifiers for connection to portions of the stator windings. At least one active rectifier and at least one passive rectifier are connected in series to form a DC bus having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, where the positive terminal of the DC bus is connected to a positive output terminal of the electrical machine and where the negative terminal of the DC bus is connected to a negative output terminal of the electrical machine. The at least one active rectifier is used to control a current flowing through the DC bus and/or an output voltage of the electrical machine.

Abstract: A hybrid system for electric power generation from solar-thermal energy and wind energy sources is described. The system includes a wind electric power generation system, a solar-thermal generation system and an air compressing system powered by a wind electric power generation system, and a compressed air storage system. A solar-thermal generation system includes two air receivers illuminated by heliostats to heat compressed atmospheric air provided from a compressed air storage system for driving the solar-thermal generation system. The hybrid system also includes a thermal energy storage system storing thermal energy and preheating the pressurized atmospheric air flow provided by the compressed air storage system.

Abstract: A method for controlling an alternator or alternator-starter of a motor vehicle, the electric machine being capable of providing an electric current, the strength of which varies on the basis of the excitation signal (EXC). A duty cycle is associated with each excitation signal. The method includes comparing the difference between the duty cycle values of two consecutive excitation signals at a predetermined threshold. If the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold, a gradual response phase is released, during which the duty cycle of the excitation signals is gradually increased, particularly in a substantially linear manner. At the start of the gradual response phase, the duty cycle of the consecutive excitation signals is increased by a predetermined jump (D,B), then the duty cycle is gradually increased. The duty cycle jump at the start of the gradual response phase being less than or equal to the release threshold of the gradual response phase.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a drum may be submerged in water and extend horizontally along a center axis between a first point on a first side of the drum and a second point on a second side of the drum opposite the first side. Three curved vanes may be attached to the drum such that the vanes, when acted upon by a water flow perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis, wherein an edge portion of each vane, located substantially opposite the drum, defines a plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by a surface of the drum located between the edge portion and the axis. An electrical generator coupled to the drum may convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

Abstract: An electric power generation system may be constructed of multiple similar generator modules arranged between a rotor and a stator. The rotor may be coupled to and/or integrated with a turbine that is configured to rotate in the presence of a fluid stream such as wind or water. Each generator module may have a rotor portion configured to generate a magnetic field having at least one characteristic that changes with respect to the rotational speed of the rotor. Each generator module may further have a stator portion configured to generate an alternating electric current responsive to the magnetic field. The generated electric current may be controlled by the stator portion of the generator module in order to magnetically control the rotational speed of the rotor and the turbine. Separation between the rotor and stator portions of the generator module may be magnetically maintained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas turbine power generation system, that includes a hydrogen-cooled generator having hydrogen as coolant, a plant hydrogen storage, generator auxiliaries and an emergency power supply system. The power generation system includes a fuel cell using hydrogen as fuel. The fuel cell is supplied via a line with hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen filling of the hydrogen-cooled generator in case of failure or disruption of the power supply from the gas turbine power generation system. In a preferred embodiment the fuel cell is supplied with additional hydrogen via a line from the plant hydrogen storage and/or with additional hydrogen via a line from generator auxiliaries in case of failure or disruption of the power supply from the gas turbine power generation system.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus of the present invention includes: a separation member that separates a lubricant from a fluid mixture flowing into an expander casing; an expander rotor that is rotationally driven by an expansion force applied from steam of a working medium from which the lubricant is separated; a power generator rotor that rotates with the rotation of the expander rotor; a first bearing holding portion that accommodates a first bearing supporting a first rotation shaft of the expander rotor; a second bearing holding portion that accommodates a second bearing supporting a second rotation shaft of the expander rotor; and a lubricant supply path which connects a lubricant accumulation position inside the expander casing to both inner spaces of the first bearing holding portion and the second bearing holding portion of which the pressures are lower than the pressure of the lubricant accumulation position inside the expander casing.