Abstract: A wheel for elevating water from moving streams, for purposes of irrigation and the like, consisting of a wheel supported for rotation on a horizontal axis, being supported for example by a barge moored in the stream, with the lower portion thereof immersed in the stream and having paddles mounted about its periphery whereby it is turned by the momentum of the stream water. At least certain of the paddles carry buckets which elevate water from the stream and dump it in a trough at a higher elevation than the stream level, from which it may flow for irrigation or other uses. The buckets are so configurated, and are movable relative to the wheel in such a manner, as to both dump the water at a maximum elevation in the wheel elevation, and also to provide a turning torque at the descending side of the wheel, so as to assist in its operation.

Abstract: A means for supporting a windmill or similar body consists of a vertically oriented tank placed above or below ground level and filled with a liquid such as water. An air filled cylinder is mounted in the tank, the upper end being adapted to support a windmill. The lower end is pivotally positioned in a mercury sleeve. Further support means includes a circular water-filled channel supporting an annular pontoon or float connected to the cylinder shaft.

Abstract: A fluid motor is disclosed which includes a rotor supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis by a hollow shaft. The rotor defines a plurality of chambers circumferentially spaced apart relative to the axis. A relatively large area flow passage extends from the trailing wall portion of each chamber to a succeeding chamber to enable fluid flow between said chambers in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor. A relatively dense working fluid partially occupies the rotor. Intake valving introduces a motive fluid into the rotor chambers disposed within a predetermined angular range relative to the axis so that the motive fluid displaces the working fluid from those chambers through associated respective flow passages and in so doing drives the rotor. Exhaust valving communicates with successive rotor chambers disposed in a second angular range relative to the axis for enabling motive fluid to exhaust from the chambers.

Abstract: A pump module adapted to be mounted on the lower end of a compliant pipe extending vertically in a sea for pumping cold water to the upper end thereof to an energy conversion device having means for eliminating torques created by the pump, means for maintaining the pump in axial alignment with the compliant pipe and means for reducing the axial stress of the pump on the compliant pipe.

Abstract: Turbine apparatus that includes a tubular housing, a rotor assembly drivingly mounted on a shaft and having a hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, generally V-shaped blades extending radially outwardly of the rotor hub, each rotor blade having first and second leg portions oppositely inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the shaft that passes through the vertex of the blade, first and second stator assemblies on axially opposite sides of the rotor assembly that have a plurality of circumferential spaced blades that are respectively inclined relative to said plane at about the same angle as the adjacent set of the first and second leg portions, at least one stator assembly having the shaft rotatably extended therethrough, whereby the rotor assembly will be driven in the same direction whether fluid passes through the housing in one axial direction or the opposite axial direction. More than one set of first and second stator and rotor assemblies may be provided in the housing.

Abstract: A rotary transducer adapted to be driven in the same direction by air flow therethrough in either axial direction comprises a rotor having blades of aerofoil cross-section which are fixed with their planes of zero lift normal to the axis of the rotor. An apparatus for use in extracting energy from the waves of the sea utilizes such a transducer.

Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electricity from the flow of water currents uses turbine wheels within nozzles submerged in the water current, anchored to the bottom of the water course, as for example, the ocean, and self-buoyed to a level well below the water surface. Pairs of counter-rotating turbines are supported by their rims, which bear against friction drive wheels, which in turn drive electrical generators contained in water-tight machine rooms within the wall of the nozzle. A structural design is disclosed, providing for the building of modules of the nozzle ashore, which modules may then be barged to the deep-water site for assembly into the whole power plant.

Abstract: This turbine is pontoon supported on a body of water, and it consists primarily of a pair of angularly disposed and spaced-apart rotors, which when in operation, will cause a minimal amount of injury to the environment, as concerning marine life and land surface flooding. The structure of this device is such, that water flow below it has a suction effect, which draws the surface water along, thus causing the surface water to build against the rotors, so the water proceeds to flow between the rotors, which thereby increases its power generating potential.

Abstract: A reaction-type turbine provided with an output shaft coupled to a power generator, such as an electric generator, and having a plurality of variable-pitch flexible impeller blades, or sails, mounted between the periphery of the output shaft and a concentric tubular shroud rotatable in unison with the output shaft. The pitch of the flexible impeller blades or sails is varied by a centrifugally-actuated pitch controlling unit such that the output shaft has a constant angular velocity irrespective of variations in the velocity of the fluid flowing through the turbine. For actuation by wind, the turbine is mounted on a rotatable platform which is automatically oriented in the direction of the prevalent wind by a servo system controlled by a wind direction detecting device. The mass of air flowing through the turbine is automatically controlled as a function of the wind velocity by an appropriate throttling mechanism controlled by a wind velocity detector.

Abstract: A device for deriving power from the energy of water waves, such as ocean waves, includes a buoyant support base, such as a raft, adapted for floating in open waters and having a keel extending from its bottom surface for stabilizing same in a horizontal position. A plurality of open funnels are mounted on the top surface of the base for collecting a wave and directing it into a manifold mounted at the small ends of the funnels for operating a turbine generator in communication with the manifold. The bottom walls of the funnels extend outwardly of their larger ends so as to define artificial shoals lying beneath the bottom surface of the raft and thus beneath the surface of the water. The shoals cause the waves to break into the funnels, the broken waves tumbling along the funnels and increasing in speed upon movement toward the smaller ends thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting ocean surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy. A refractive horn and ramp provides reflectionless impedance transformation of ocean surface wave energy at the input to the system. Wave energy, in the form of breakers, which are massive pulses of essentially pure kinetic energy, from the output of the horn/ramp are then smoothed and transformed directly to mechanical rotation. Smoothing is accomplished by the inertial properties of a "liquid flywheel". The rotational kinetic energy may be extracted by means of a turbine to provide useful work. Discharged water is returned to the ambient ocean through a low terminal velocity diffuser. The entire structure may be located offshore and the discharged fluids may be used for auxiliary purposes.

Abstract: A device for extracting energy from water waves comprises high-level and low-level reservoirs with non-return valves for permitting water from wave crests to enter the high-level reservoir (but not return) and for permitting water from the low-level reservoir to escape as a water wave trough passes but preventing entry of water from the crests into the low-level reservoir. The non-return valves operate over a vertical extent and are such as to accommodate the variation in time with depth at which water pressure changes from high on one side and low the other to low on the one side and high on the other.

Abstract: A turbine wheel on a horizontal axis is coaxially mounted within a primary nozzle, for support in a fluid current below a platform carrying electrical power generation equipment. The turbine wheel and primary nozzle are submerged and oriented to enable flow of a portion of fluid current through the nozzle and past the turbine wheel.The turbine wheel comprises a shroud-ring rim, a set of blades extending inwardly toward the axis, the blades being mounted at their outer ends on the inside of the rim, and at their inner ends on the outside of an axial hub. Each blade has its longitudinal tensile elements shaped in the form of part of a relaxed catenary, extending from rim to hub, with sufficient bow in the direction of force of fluid current on the blade to provide a practical wheel of reasonable cost. Struts and strut vanes supporting hub elements within the nozzle may also be of relaxed catenary configuration.

Abstract: A motor-driven propeller is disposed within a draft tube beneath a buoyant float and is adapted to pump water upwardly through the draft tube. In one mode of operation, the pumping device functions as an aerator in that the water pumped upwardly through the draft tube flows upwardly through an opening in the float and is deflected across the upper side of the float and into the atmosphere by a diffuser plate spaced above the opening. The pumping device can be converted into a flow developer by positioning the diffuser plate beneath the opening in the float and, when the plate is so positioned, water pumped upwardly through the draft tube strikes the plate and is deflected outwardly beneath the lower side of the float.

Abstract: A power unit having an endless belt immersed in a tank of water and disposed on upper and lower rotatable rollers in parallel alignment tightly enough to frictionally engage and rotate the pullies, there being transversely arranged and longitudinally spaced, relative to the belt, collapsible air buckets or air traps on the outwardly facing side of the belt. When operating, the belt has one part continually moving upwardly and an opposite part moving downwardly. The air buckets open downwardly and expand on the upwardly moving part of the belt; and those on the opposite downwardly moving part open upwardly in a collapsed condition. Air is pumped to a horizontally disposed discharge pipe adjacent the lower end of the belt, the pipe having openings for discharge of air into the succeeding lower open buckets to cause the buckets to be filled with air and expand the buckets so as to move buoyantly upwardly.

Abstract: A fluid current motor adapted to extract energy from flowing natural currents is disclosed wherein a wheel-like frame is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis. The frame is positioned over a flowing water current, such as a stream, river, or the like, and is provided with a plurality of radial arms or spokes each of which is fitted with an articulated knuckle intermediate its length. At the outer extremity of each spoke there is mounted a yoke which pivotally supports a fluid reaction blade journaled intermediate its height in its associated yoke. Each yoke and blade assembly is buoyantly supported on the surface of the water by a pair of pontoons which maintain the blade at the same depth relative to the water surface regardless of variations in the level of the flowing water current.

Abstract: The invention comprises a water circulator device for circulating the water in a lake, pond, or reservoir. The device comprises a raft having a wind driven shaft mounted thereon for vertical rotation. A mixing chamber is mounted beneath the raft with the upper edge of the chamber above the surface of the lake, pond, or reservoir. The lower end of the shaft has a propellor mounted thereon within the mixing chamber. A pair of vertical telescoping pipes are mounted beneath the chamber of reduced diameter in relation to the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-current energy-conversion plant, especially useful for electricity generation, utilizing an axial flow turbine as the energy conversion element, has self-inflated flexible collector elements for capturing a portion of the fluid current, increasing its velocity, guiding at least some of each portion into the turbine's mouth, then returning the captured flow into the stream.

Abstract: A pair of hull portions connected in spaced parallel relation support a water wheel and form a passageway therebetween for driving engagement of flowing water against the vanes of the water wheel. The water wheel is made up of a pair of wheel portions having peripheral gear teeth, and these teeth are engageable with gears which drive electric generators. The vanes of the water wheel are adjustable to vary the driving power thereof and have nozzles thereon arranged to discharge water under pressure to provide a boost for the wheel. A brake is provided to control rotation of the water wheel, and an auxiliary engine is provided to drive the water wheel when necessary. The longitudinal hull portions support a gate mechanism at the inlet end of the water passageway to control the flow of water through such passageway and have air chambers to buoyantly support the device. The device has vertically extendable legs for ground support.

Abstract: A turbine wheel on a horizontal shaft is coaxially mounted within a primary nozzle, for support in a river current below a platform carrying electrical power generation equipment. The turbine shaft and primary nozzle are submerged and oriented to enable flow of a portion of river current through the nozzle and past the turbine wheel.The external surface of the nozzle is shaped and has structure to accelerate and/or direct the flow of the adjacent surrounding maintstream river current in a manner to generate a sheath which aids the efflux of that portion of the river current which has passed through the turbine. Part of the said structure is a secondary nozzle surrounding the primary nozzle; the secondary nozzle is arranged to accentuate the control of the surrounding mainstream river current. Bearing means, support means, power take-off means, speed control means and blade shapes are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for utilizing energy stored in wave motion. A buoyant body on the water surface is anchored so as to permit free, unrestricted vertical movement when acted upon by a heaving wave. An energy collecting member connected to the buoyant body and including propeller blades is located at a depth where the water is not subjected to the vertical wave motion.

Abstract: A plurality of piston-sealed cylinders are secured in oppositely disposed units in spaced relationship to each other about the circumference of a rotational member having substantially horizontal axes of rotation. The rotational member and all cylinders are submerged within a fluid medium. Cylinders on the vertically upwardly moving side of the rotational member have their pistons withdrawn from sealed ends of the cylinders to create a large air space, reducing the weight of each such cylinder to less than the weight of the quantity of the fluid medium which each such cylinder displaces thereby giving each such cylinder buoyancy in the fluid medium and the tendency to rise therein.