Abstract: Apparatus (500) and components for coupling fluid or gas conducting elements, such as apparatus and components for connecting a nebulizer (501) with a gas flow system. In particular, the apparatus (500) and components are useful for connecting, in a gas-tight and quick release manner, a nebulizer (501) to a pressure-assisted breathing system, such as a mechanical ventilator or a continuous airway pressure (“CPAP”) system.

Abstract: A displacement system for a submersible electrical system such as a tidal turbine system, the displacement system comprising a base for the turbine or related electrical components, a vessel having a buoyant body and at least three rigid legs each displaceable relative to the body between a raised and a lowered position, and in which the base is adapted to be secured to and displaceable by the three legs in order to allow the base to be deployed or retrieved from the seabed using the legs, which legs can also be utilised to raise the body of the vessel out of the water to provide a stable work platform above the deployment site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroelectric turbine recovery system, and in particular a system which significantly reduces the complexity of recovering a base mounted hydroelectric turbine from a deployment site on the seabed by providing a frame having an open mouth which can be advanced around the turbine before the frame is fully lowered into locking engagement with the base, thereby allowing the base, with the turbine thereon, to be recovered from the seabed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system, and a vessel suitable for use in implementing said method, whereby the vessel comprises a raised or raisable section, which enables the vessel to pass over a portion of a base of the hydroelectric turbine system, when located in a flooded dry dock, which portion of the base projects above the water line in the dock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing a hydroelectric turbine array comprising installing a plurality of subsea foundations on a subsea surface and positioning interconnecting electrical cables between two or more of the subsea foundations, which cables then remain in position on the seabed during the operation of the array while allowing other components such as turbines to be removed for repair or the like without disturbing said cables.

Abstract: Apparatus (500) and components for coupling fluid or gas conducting elements, such as apparatus and components for connecting a nebulizer (501) with a gas flow system. In particular, the apparatus (500) and components are useful for connecting, in a gas-tight and quick release manner, a nebulizer (501) to a pressure-assisted breathing system, such as a mechanical ventilator or a continuous airway pressure (“CPAP”) system.

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 hydroelectric turbine system comprising an array of turbines in series and a cabling system for use in connecting together adjacent turbines in the array, the cabling system being designed to allow the majority of the cabling connecting adjacent turbines to be laid substantially in line with the direction of tidal flow in order to reduce stress on the cabling system when the turbines are deployed on the seabed at sites of high tidal flow.

Abstract: A method of testing a hydroelectric turbine before the turbine is installed and secured on the seabed, in order to ensure that the turbine is operating as expected, the method involving securing the turbine to a vessel and displacing the vessel through water in order to effect rotation while monitoring one or more operating parameters of the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine system (10) including a base (12) on which a hydroelectric turbine (14) is mounted and supported, the base (12) having a number of fixed length legs (20) and at least one adjustable length leg (22), in order to allow all of the legs to contact the seabed in order to evenly distribute the system load into the seabed.

Abstract: A method of installing an off-shore tidal hydroelectric turbine generator is described. The method provides for a number of safety features, ensuring that all components are safe to handle during the installation operation, and also ensuring that the turbine will not start spinning during the installation operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides provided a hydroelectric turbine having a stator and a rotor, an array of magnets being fixed to rotor and a corresponding array of coils being fixed to the stator, the turbine further including means for cooling the coils during operation of the turbine, the cooling means preferably taking the form of one or more channels passing through the stator, in close proximity to the coils, in order to allow fluid flow through the channels to cool the coils.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system, and a vessel suitable for use in implementing said method, whereby the vessel comprises a raised or raisable section, which enables the vessel to pass over a portion of a base of the hydroelectric turbine system, when located in a flooded dry dock, which portion of the base projects above the water line in the dock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine system comprising a base mounted turbine for location on the seabed or the like, in order to generate electricity from the tidal flow of water through the turbine, the system incorporating a load bank, for example in the form of an array of resistive windings, to which the turbine can be selectively electrically connected in order to dissipate the electrical power as heat into the passing water.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling the output of a tidal hydroelectric turbine generator from a remote location, with the need for control circuitry to be housed local to the generator. The rotational speed of the turbine, and consequently the output power level of the generator, is controlled by varying the transmission line voltage of the submarine power cable connecting the off-shore turbine with an on-shore substation.

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: A method of testing a hydroelectric turbine before the turbine is installed and secured on the seabed, in order to ensure that the turbine is operating as expected, the method involving securing the turbine to a vessel and displacing the vessel through water in order to effect rotation while monitoring one or more operating parameters of the turbine.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a hydroelectric turbine having a stator and a rotor within the stator on at least one set of bearings, the turbine having a brake which becomes operational following a predetermined level of bearing wear in order to avoid damage to the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroelectric turbine recovery system, and in particular a system which significantly reduces the complexity of recovering a base mounted hydroelectric turbine from a deployment site on the seabed by providing a frame having an open mouth which can be advanced around the turbine before the frame is fully lowered into locking engagement with the base, thereby allowing the base, with the turbine thereon, to be recovered from the seabed.