Abstract: A power generation apparatus for generating power from water flows is described. The power generation apparatus includes: a generator; a first blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation in a selected direction in response to flowing water from a selected direction; a second blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation and operatively connected to the first blade set, the second blade set being disposed coaxially with, and downstream of or in a wake zone of, the first blade set; wherein the generator is adapted to be driven by at least one of the blade sets, the generator being disposed generally coaxially between the first and second blade sets.

Abstract: A central axis water turbine is described which comprises a turbine body having a central axis; a rotor mounted on the turbine body for rotation about the central axis, the rotor comprising a central hub supporting a plurality of blades, each blade extending from a blade root mounted on the hub to a blade tip; a generator driven by the rotor; and a housing surrounding the rotor and adapted to direct water flow towards the rotor, the housing converging from a front opening forward of the rotor to a narrower throat adjacent the turbine body; wherein the blades are splayed rearward from the blade root to the blade tip by a tilt angle of 1° to 20° from a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus for generating power from water flows is described. The power generation apparatus includes: a generator; a first blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation in a selected direction in response to flowing water from a selected direction; a second blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation and operatively connected to the first blade set, the second blade set being disposed coaxially with, and downstream of or in a wake zone of, the first blade set; wherein the generator is adapted to be driven by at least one of the blade sets, the generator being disposed generally coaxially between the first and second blade sets.

Abstract: A central axis water turbine is described which comprises a turbine body having a central axis; a rotor mounted on the turbine body for rotation about the central axis, the rotor comprising a central hub supporting a plurality of blades, each blade extending from a blade root mounted on the hub to a blade tip; a generator driven by the rotor; and a housing surrounding the rotor and adapted to direct water flow towards the rotor, the housing converging from a front opening forward of the rotor to a narrower throat adjacent the turbine body; wherein the blades are splayed rearward from the blade root to the blade tip by a tilt angle of 1° to 20° from a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus for generating power from water flows is described. The power generation apparatus includes: a generator; a first blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation in a selected direction in response to flowing water from a selected direction; a second blade set operatively mounted to the generator for rotation and operatively connected to the first blade set, the second blade set being disposed coaxially with, and downstream of or in a wake zone of, the first blade set; wherein the generator is adapted to be driven by at least one of the blade sets, the generator being disposed generally coaxially between the first and second blade sets.

Abstract: A central axis water turbine is described which comprises a turbine body having a central axis; a rotor mounted on the turbine body for rotation about the central axis, the rotor comprising a central hub supporting a plurality of blades, each blade extending from a blade root mounted on the hub to a blade tip; a generator driven by the rotor; and a housing surrounding the rotor and adapted to direct water flow towards the rotor, the housing converging from a front opening forward of the rotor to a narrower throat adjacent the turbine body; wherein the blades are splayed rearward from the blade root to the blade tip by a tilt angle of 1° to 20° from a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a water turbine is described, the system comprising, a turbine; means for measuring an activity affecting operation of the turbine; means for altering operation of the turbine; and a data processing apparatus comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a memory operably connected to the CPU, the memory containing a program adapted to be executed by the CPU, wherein the CPU and memory are operably adapted to receive information from the measuring means and implement an instruction to the altering means to alter the operation of the turbine. Data processing systems, computer program elements and methods for controlling operation of the turbine are also described.