Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbou

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbou

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbou

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprises at least one flywheel mass support 14 that has a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use and a flywheel mass 12. The support 14 comprises a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from the rotational axis 18. The flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in the support. The flywheel mass 12 is coupled to the support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the support 14 in use. The flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements by fixing elements 23 that extend through the aligned openings in the mass elements and the support 14.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine heat engine includes a compressor, a recuperator, a combustor and a turbine. A compressor outlet manifold collects compressed gas from the compressor through a plurality of compressor outlets. A turbine inlet manifold supplies combustion gas to the turbine through a plurality of turbine inlets. The compressor outlet manifold comprises a plurality of compressor outlet manifold ducts and the turbine inlet manifold comprises a plurality of turbine inlet manifold ducts. These manifold ducts are circumferentially interdigitated with respect of each other around the shaft of the turbine to provide a flow path for compressed gas through the recuperator located radially inwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft compared to the flow path for the combustion gas in the hot side portion of the heat engine.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine heat engine includes a compressor, a recuperator, a combustor and a turbine. A compressor outlet manifold collects compressed gas from the compressor through a plurality of compressor outlets. A turbine inlet manifold supplies combustion gas to the turbine through a plurality of turbine inlets. The compressor outlet manifold comprises a plurality of compressor outlet manifold ducts and the turbine inlet manifold comprises a plurality of turbine inlet manifold ducts. These manifold ducts are circumferentially interdigitated with respect of each other around the shaft of the turbine to provide a flow path for compressed gas through the recuperator located radially inwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft compared to the flow path for the combustion gas in the hot side portion of the heat engine.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbou

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbou

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transferring heat and a method of controlling such a device, the device comprising a stator chamber containing: a liquid; an input heat exchange surface; an output heat exchanger; and a rotor arranged to be rotated by vapour bubbles.

Abstract: A wave energy converter with air compression (WECWAC) includes a cylinder and a piston located within the cylinder dividing the cylinder into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The cylinder is fixedly attached to a spar whose up/down (heave) motion is restrained. The piston is fixedly attached to, and driven by, a float which moves generally in phase with the waves. Under typical wave conditions the piston functions to compress air within the upper chamber on its up stroke and within the lower chamber on its down stroke, i. e., the system is thus double-acting. In still water, the spar and cylinder combination is designed to drift down into the body of water relative to the piston whereby the size/volume of the upper chamber is decreased (while that of the lower chamber is increased). For small amplitude waves the piston continues to compress air in the upper chamber and this asymmetrical compression continues until the waves reach a predetermine level when “double-action” is resumed.

Abstract: The invention provides a stator coil construction in which the thickness of the stator windings is reduced without the need for interconnections within the stator. The reduction in thickness of the stator windings is accomplished by wire flattening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical machine and more particularly to an arrangement of cooling passages within the stators of such machines. Cooling fluid is caused to pass through a number of channels provided in a space between winding discs to provide improved cooling of the winding discs.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine (1) has at least one stator (23). The stator is provided with at least one radial channel (107) for ducting cooling air. The channel (107) extends between a first position (113) at or substantially near the rim (109) of a winding region of the stator (23) and a second position (119) at or substantially near the center (51) of the winding region. The machine (1) has cooling means (91-97) for causing cooling air to enter the radial channel (107) via the second position (119) and exit via the first position (113). The stator may have electrical windings arranged as coil sectors (183-197) disposed substantially equi-angularly in a generally circular pattern. At least some of the coil sectors are wound in a generally spiral fashion when viewed axially. A rotor (13), for the machine may have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets (127), which are generally circular but with a cut-away portion, when viewed axially.

Abstract: The invention provides a stator coil construction in which the thickness of the stator windings is reduced without the need for interconnections within the stator. The reduction in thickness of the stator windings is accomplished by wire flattening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved stator for an axial flux electrical machine in which the stator discs which contain the windings of the stator are spaced apart by spot spacers to provide improved quantity and control of the cooling fluids passing though the stator. The present invention further provides improved control of the flow of cooling fluids through the stator by controlling the points at which the cooling fluid enters and exits the space between the stator discs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical machine and more particularly to an arrangement of cooling passages within the stators of such machines. Cooling fluid is caused to pass through a number of channels provided in a space between winding discs to provide improved cooling of the winding discs.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine (1) has at least one stator (23). The stator is provided with at least one radial channel (107) for ducting cooling air. The channel (107) extends between a first position (113) at or substantially near the rim (109) of a winding region of the stator (23) and a second position (119) at or substantially near the center (51) of the winding region. The machine (1) has cooling means (91-97) for causing cooling air to enter the radial channel (107) via the second position (119) and exit via the first position (113). The stator may have electrical windings arranged as coil sectors (183-197) disposed substantially equi-angularly in a generally circular pattern. At least some of the coil sectors are wound in a generally spiral fashion when viewed axially. A rotor (13), for the machine may have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets (127), which are generally circular but with a cut-away portion, when viewed axially.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine comprising a stator (10) and at least one rotor (12) having a plurality of permanent magnets (14) The rotor consists of a rotor disc, at the outer edge of which the permanent magnets are mounted. The rotor disc (12) is provided with airgap varying means (19) which are angled towards the stator (10) and mounted on the rotor hub (24) for rotation therewith. When the rotor is stationary, the airgap (30) between the magnets (14) and the stator (10) is at a minimum. In operation, as the speed of rotation of the rotor (12) increases, a centrifugal force is generated which acts to bend the airgap varying means (19) and, therefore, the rotor disc (12) back, away from the stator (10), thereby drawing the magnets (14) away from the stator and increasing the size of the airgap (30). The increase in size of the airgap results in a corresponding decrease in flux and therefore a decrease in the maximum output voltage for that rotor speed.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine (1) has at least one stator (23). The stator is provided with at least one radial channel (107) for ducting cooling air. The channel (107) extends between a first position (113) at or substantially near the rim (109) of a winding region of the stator (23) and a second position (119) at or substantially near the center (51) of the winding region. The machine (1) has cooling means (91-97) for causing cooling air to enter the radial channel (107) via the second position (119) and exit via the first position (113). The stator may have electrical windings arranged as coil sectors (183-197) disposed substantially equi-angularly in a generally circular pattern. At least some of the coil sectors are wound in a generally spiral fashion when viewed axially. A rotor (13), for the machine may have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets (127), which are generally circular but with a cut-away portion, when viewed axially.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine (1) has at least one stator (23). The stator is provided with at least one radial channel (107) for ducting cooling air. The channel (107) extends between a first position (113) at or substantially near the rim (109) of a winding region of the stator (23) and a second position (119) at or substantially near the center (51) of the winding region. The machine (1) has cooling means (91-97) for causing cooling air to enter the radial channel (107) via the second position (119) and exit via the first portion (113). The stator may have electrical windings arranged as coil sectors (183-197) disposed substantially equi-angularly in a generally circular pattern. At least some of the coil sectors are wound in a generally spiral fashion when viewed axially. A rotor (13), for the machine may have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced magnets (127), which are generally circular but with a cut-away portion, when viewed axially.