Abstract: A method of controlling energy conversion and/or applied wave loads for a membrane power conversion wave energy converter (WEC) having a longitudinal axis and at least one cell having a membrane. The method includes acquiring data and determining a value relating to a local sea state at the WEC or to a WEC state of the WEC. Depending on the value determined from the acquired data, one or both of the vertical position of the at least one WEC cell relative to a free surface at still water and/or the angle of incidence of the WEC is adjusted.

Abstract: A WEC module for connection to a WEC system having a power take-off (PTO) configured to generate electricity in response to fluid flow in a fluid flow path of the system. The module includes a mounting portion for releasably mounting the module to the system, a deformable sealing member configured to provide a sealed fluid connection between the module and the fluid flow path, and a working surface configured to exchange, in response to wave motion, a working fluid with the fluid flow path via the sealed fluid connection. Also disclosed is a WEC system and a method of deploying the WEC module. Also disclosed is an installation device for a working surface and a method of installing a working surface.

Abstract: A wave energy converter cell for a pressure differential converter system includes a turbine. The cell includes a cell body defining an aperture and a membrane sealing the aperture wherein the membrane has a distensible working surface extending across the aperture. The membrane may be planar and may be pre-strained over the aperture.

Abstract: An underwater structure including a power generation apparatus including a main body; a mounting portion connected to the main body defining a mounting axis; a connection carrier, a connector mounted on the connection carrier; and an actuation mechanism in communication with the connection carrier. The structure further includes a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water; a support housing; a support connection carrier attached to the support housing; and a support connector mounted on the support connection carrier. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation apparatus on the support structure. The connection carrier is releasably engageable with the support connection carrier, such that the connection carrier is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting a first connection point with a second connection point, the second connection point being arranged for rotation and translation with respect to the first connection point, the connection system includes a first connection point, a first support surface moveable linearly with respect to the first connection point, a second support surface moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, and a second connection point moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, moveable rotationally with respect to the first support surface, and fixed with respect to the second support surface, and a reverse bend radius cable chain located on the first and second support surfaces, and having a first end connected with the first connection point via a first connector cable, and a second end connected with the second connection point via a second connector cable.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation unit, which includes a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis, and a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and support housing. The mounting portion defines a substantially continuous mounting surface which extends substantially completely around the mounting portion, and the support housing defines a substantially continuous support surface which extends substantially completely around the support housing. The mounting surface and support surface are arranged to abut one another substantially continuously when the power generation unit is mounted on the support structure. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation unit on the support structure in any polar orientation about the mounting axis.

Abstract: A water-based power generating installation includes a water based power generating device operable to derive power from a body of water, and to export that power via a power export cable, and an infrastructure arrangement for providing a power export connection from the installation, and including infrastructure equipment for the installation, which infrastructure equipment serves to connect the power generating device with the power export connection.

Abstract: An underwater structure including a power generation apparatus including a main body; a mounting portion connected to the main body defining a mounting axis; a connection carrier, a connector mounted on the connection carrier; and an actuation mechanism in communication with the connection carrier. The structure further includes a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water; a support housing; a support connection carrier attached to the support housing; and a support connector mounted on the support connection carrier. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation apparatus on the support structure. The connection carrier is releasably engageable with the support connection carrier, such that the connection carrier is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A water current power generation structure including: a power generation unit including a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis; a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and including a support housing; wherein the structure further includes a yaw mechanism for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure, the mechanism including: a pinion associated with the mounting portion; and a gear associated within the support housing and arranged to engage the pinion to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure; and a selective engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the yaw mechanism.

Abstract: Power generating equipment comprises a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water, a buoyant power generating apparatus having a center of buoyancy, a winching device releasably engageable with the power generating apparatus, and operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether. The flexible winch tether has first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connectable at a second end thereof to the first portion.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting a first connection point with a second connection point, the second connection point being arranged for rotation and translation with respect to the first connection point, the connection system includes a first connection point, a first support surface moveable linearly with respect to the first connection point, a second support surface moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, and a second connection point moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, moveable rotationally with respect to the first support surface, and fixed with respect to the second support surface, and a reverse bend radius cable chain located on the first and second support surfaces, and having a first end connected with the first connection point via a first connector cable, and a second end connected with the second connection point via a second connector cable.

Abstract: A water-based power generating installation includes a water based power generating device operable to derive power from a body of water, and to export that power via a power export cable, and an infrastructure arrangement for providing a power export connection from the installation, and including infrastructure equipment for the installation, which infrastructure equipment serves to connect the power generating device with the power export connection.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation unit, which includes a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis, and a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and support housing. The mounting portion defines a substantially continuous mounting surface which extends substantially completely around the mounting portion, and the support housing defines a substantially continuous support surface which extends substantially completely around the support housing. The mounting surface and support surface are arranged to abut one another substantially continuously when the power generation unit is mounted on the support structure. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation unit on the support structure in any polar orientation about the mounting axis.

Abstract: Power generating equipment comprises a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water, a buoyant power generating apparatus having a centre of buoyancy, a winching device releasably engageable with the power generating apparatus, and operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether. The flexible winch tether has first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connectable at a second end thereof to the first portion.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling a water current turbine array which includes first and second pluralities of water current turbines operable to generate electricity from a water current. The method includes controlling respective power generation characteristics of the water current turbines in the array so as to maximise power generation of the array as a whole.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation apparatus and a supporting structure. A coupling is provided that allows attachment of the power generating device to the submerged support structure. The coupling incorporates the function of a yaw bearing allowing rotation of the power generating apparatus about a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A water current generating device is provided that consists of a main body and a horizontal axis rotor attached by a mechanical connection to a fixed support structure. Under the action of one or more hydrodynamic thrusters, the main body of the turbine is rotated about a desired axis of rotation to face the oncoming current flow. The mechanical connection incorporates an appropriate degree of freedom to allow this re-orientation to take place.

Abstract: An ablutionary installation including a mixing valve having respective inlets for hot and cold water and an outlet for temperature controlled water, a temperature sensor for monitoring outlet water temperature and providing a signal representative of the outlet water temperature to an electronic controller, a user interface permitting selection of outlet water temperature up to a pre-determined temperature, the electronic controller being operable to compare the selected and sensed outlet water temperatures for controlling the mixing valve to adjust the ratio of hot and cold water delivered to the outlet according to the selected outlet water temperature, and apparatus for initiating a disinfection cycle to deliver water to the outlet at a temperature higher than the pre-determined temperature, wherein the initiating apparatus includes an operating sequence with at least two inputs.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation apparatus and a supporting structure. A coupling is provided that allows attachment of the power generating device to the submerged support structure. The coupling incorporates the function of a yaw bearing allowing rotation of the power generating apparatus about a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A water current generating device is provided that consists of a main body and a horizontal axis rotor attached by a mechanical connection to a fixed support structure. Under the action of one ore more hydrodynamic thrusters, the main body of the turbine is rotated about a desired axis of rotation to face the oncoming current flow. The mechanical connection incorporates an appropriate degree of freedom to allow this re-orientation to take place.