Abstract: A hydroelectric energy system in accordance with the present disclosure includes a stationary ring structure including a stationary ring foundation and a stationary ring backing. The system also includes a rotating ring structure including a rotating ring foundation and a blade support ring disposed radially outward of the rotating ring foundation. The rotating ring foundation is disposed radially outward of the stationary ring foundation and is configured to rotate around the stationary ring foundation about an axis of rotation. The system further includes at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotating ring structure relative to the stationary ring structure during rotation of the rotating ring foundation around the stationary ring foundation. During the rotation, the stationary ring backing is configured to be in compression and to support the stationary ring foundation, the rotating ring foundation, and the blade support ring in a stacked configuration within a fluid current.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for generating hydrogen is provided. The method includes producing AC electric current from a hydroelectric turbine deployed under water at an offshore site. The method also includes converting the AC electric current into DC electric current and applying the DC electric current to an electrolyzer positioned above water at the offshore site of the hydroelectric turbine. The method further includes generating hydrogen via the electrolyzer.

Abstract: A hydroelectric energy system in accordance with the present disclosure includes a stationary ring structure including a stationary ring foundation and a stationary ring backing. The system also includes a rotating ring structure including a rotating ring foundation and a blade support ring disposed radially outward of the rotating ring foundation. The rotating ring foundation is disposed radially outward of the stationary ring foundation and is configured to rotate around the stationary ring foundation about an axis of rotation. The system further includes at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotating ring structure relative to the stationary ring structure during rotation of the rotating ring foundation around the stationary ring foundation. During the rotation, the stationary ring backing is configured to be in compression and to support the stationary ring foundation, the rotating ring foundation, and the blade support ring in a stacked configuration within a fluid current.

Abstract: A method for deploying a payload at a subaquatic deployment location includes submersing a submersible aquatic vehicle in a body of water. The submersible aquatic vehicle carries a payload. The method also includes driving the submersible aquatic vehicle to a deployment location under the body of water while the submersible aquatic vehicle carries the payload in a first position. The method additionally includes at the deployment location, moving the payload from the first position to a second position. The method further includes deploying the payload from the second position to a deployment position at the deployment location.

Abstract: A hydroelectric energy system includes a turbine including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is disposed radially outward of the stator and is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The system also includes a mechanical power conversion assembly including a gear operably coupled to a generator. The system further includes a mechanical power transmission assembly operably coupling the rotor to the gear. The rotor includes a plurality of blades configured to rotate in response to fluid flow interacting with the plurality of blades. The mechanical power conversion assembly is at a location spaced from the axis of rotation by a distance larger than a radial sweep of the blades. The mechanical power transmission assembly is configured to transmit the rotation of the rotor to the gear.

Abstract: A method for deploying a payload at a subaquatic deployment location includes submersing a submersible aquatic vehicle in a body of water. The submersible aquatic vehicle carries a payload. The method also includes driving the submersible aquatic vehicle to a deployment location under the body of water while the submersible aquatic vehicle carries the payload in a first position. The method additionally includes at the deployment location, moving the payload from the first position to a second position. The method further includes deploying the payload from the second position to a deployment position at the deployment location.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.

Abstract: A hydroelectric energy system includes a stator including a first plurality of electricity-generating elements. The system also includes a rotor including a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and is configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor is a flexible belt structure having a variable thickness and extending along a portion of an axial length of the stator. The system further includes at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator. The at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism includes a bearing surface made of wood or a composite material.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine system includes a bridge assembly including a central supporting ring having an axially elongated body and a tongue extending axially from the body. An axial length of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the body. The radial thickness of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the tongue. The system includes a stator having a radially inner circumferential surface and a radially outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface is disposed on a radially outer surface of the tongue. The system includes a bearing mechanism extending axially along the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The mechanism includes one or more bearings. Each bearing includes a surface that extends parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The system includes a rotor supported radially outward of the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hydroelectric energy system includes a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements. The system also includes a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and is configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor is a flexible belt structure having a variable thickness and extending along a portion of an axial length of the stator. The system further includes at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator. The at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism includes a bearing surface made of wood or a composite material.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a stationary structure and a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure. The system includes at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure. The blade member is configured to interact with fluid currents to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system includes a first magnetic bearing component disposed on the rotatable structure and a second magnetic bearing component disposed on the stationary structure. The magnetic bearing components have an aligned position in which the components are axially aligned along the axis of rotation with respect to each other. Axial displacement of the magnetic bearing components from the aligned position generates a magnetic field between the components that provides an axially-directed restoring force between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure to reposition the components to the aligned position.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a stationary structure and a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure. The system includes at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure. The blade member is configured to interact with fluid currents to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system includes a first magnetic bearing component disposed on the rotatable structure and a second magnetic bearing component disposed on the stationary structure. The magnetic bearing components have an aligned position in which the components are axially aligned along the axis of rotation with respect to each other. Axial displacement of the magnetic bearing components from the aligned position generates a magnetic field between the components that provides an axially-directed restoring force between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure to reposition the components to the aligned position.

Abstract: An energy conversion system may include a stationary structure, a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure, wherein the rotatable structure defines an axis of rotation. The system may further include at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure, the at least one blade member being configured to interact with fluid currents flowing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about the axis of rotation, and at least one bearing mechanism disposed to provide at least one of a radial and axial bearing between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure as the rotatable structure rotates about the stationary structure. The system may be configured to convert rotation of the rotatable structure to at least one of electricity and hydrogen production.

Abstract: An energy conversion system may include a stationary structure, a rotatable structure configured to rotate relative to the stationary structure, wherein the rotatable structure defines an axis of rotation. The system may further include at least one blade member mounted to and extending radially outward from the rotatable structure, the at least one blade member being configured to interact with fluid currents flowing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation to cause the rotatable structure to rotate about the axis of rotation, and at least one bearing mechanism disposed to provide at least one of a radial and axial bearing between the rotatable structure and the stationary structure as the rotatable structure rotates about the stationary structure. The system may be configured to convert rotation of the rotatable structure to at least one of electricity and hydrogen production.

Abstract: A system for energy conversion may comprise at least one floating support structure configured to float on a body of water, at least one anchoring device configured to anchor the at least one floating support structure in a substantially stationary position on the body of water, and at least one energy conversion device mounted to the at least one floating support structure so as to be submergible in the water body in a substantially stationary position. In a submerged position, water currents in the water body may interact with the at least one energy conversion device to generate electricity.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents comprises a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being configured to rotate about an axis of the continuous loop structure. The at least one blade may be configured to interact with fluid currents moving in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure to rotate the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure. At least a portion of the least one blade may intersect a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the continuous loop structure. Rotation of the at least one blade may generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from fluid currents having one or more trolleys that move along a closed-loop track as a result of the action of fluid currents on one or more blades attached to each trolley. Spacing between trolleys is preferably maintained by a spacing ring to which the trolleys are attached. Optionally, one or more blades made be attached to the spacing ring. The trolleys are supported and guided either by wheels or magnetic levitation. Electrical energy is preferably created by the movement of magnets in an electrical ring attached to the trolleys with respect to a conductor connected to the track.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from fluid currents having one or more trolleys that move along a closed-loop track as a result of the interaction of fluid currents on one or more blades attached to each trolley. Electrical energy may be generated by the movement of the one or more trolleys along the track.