Abstract: An apparatus for testing rings cut from pipes, comprising: a plurality of test chamber sections which, when placed together, define a test chamber for receiving the ring to be tested, the test chamber sections comprising at least a first test chamber section defining a first inner face of the test chamber and a second test chamber section defining an opposed second inner face of the test chamber, the first and second inner faces defining annuli arranged to contain the ring to isolate the inside of the ring from the outside; means for clamping the test chamber sections together to form the chamber; a fluid inlet port in one of the chamber sections to allow a pressurised fluid to be admitted to the chamber outside the ring when received in the chamber; and one or more sensors for measuring strain and deformation of the ring and fluid pressure, wherein the annuli are aligned with one another, are wider than the wall thickness of the ring to be tested, and are substantially entirely flat.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from a bidirectional water flow, such as tidal flow, includes a base structure, a primary flow pipe defining a first flow passage through the base structure, and a secondary flow pipe defining a second flow passage through the base structure. The primary flow pipe includes a convergent section a mixing chamber, the convergent section connected to a first end of the mixing chamber to define a venturi therebetween, and a diffuser section connected to a second end of the mixing chamber. The apparatus further includes an opening in the secondary flow pipe to provide fluidic communication between the second flow passage and the mixing chamber, a turbine connectable to a generator and arranged to be rotated by water flow from the second flow passage, and a control mechanism for directing the water flow from the second flow passage through the opening into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in generating electricity from a bidirectional water flow, such as tidal flow is described. The apparatus comprises: a base structure; a primary flow pipe defining a first flow passage through the base structure; a secondary flow pipe defining a second flow passage through the base structure. The primary flow pipe comprises: a convergent section; a mixing chamber, the convergent section being connected to a first end of the mixing chamber to define a venturi therebetween; and a diffuser section connected to a second end of the mixing chamber.