15results about "Buoyancy control" patented technology

A buoy (10) comprising a central column (12), an outer frame (14) attached to the central column with buoyancy which may be provided by the outer frame and / or by attached buoyancy units (16). The central column is negatively buoyant and is normally open at one end to allow water to flow in, and create an oscillating water column caused by waves. This water column dampens the effect of wave or other forces on the buoy, thus providing a more stable foundation for a wind powered generator. A further generator may be provided to extract energy from the oscillating water column. The buoy is normally attached to an anchor by one or more tension leg tethers which maintains the buoyancy below the surface of the water which has also be found to increase stability. The anchor may be a modular gravity base anchor.

The invention relates to a submersible power plant (1) comprising a major rotor (2) arranged on a buoyant body (3) relative which it can rotate. The major rotor (2) comprises at least two major rotor blades (4) and is rotatable around a major rotor axis (A_r) from a fluid flow acting on the major rotor blades (4). The major rotor (2) comprises a minor rotor arranged on each major rotor blade (4), each comprising a minor rotor blade (7) rotatable around a minor rotor axis substantially perpendicular to the major rotor axis (A_r) and to an extension of the major rotor blades (4) from the major rotor axis (A_r) to each major rotor blade end (4a). The buoyant body (3) of the submersible power plant (1) is arranged to be secured to a structure by means of a tether and is arranged to change the angle (α) of the major rotor axis (A_r) relative the direction of the fluid flow (F_d), controlling the rotational speed of the major rotor (2).

The present invention relates to a marine energy production and reversal system (10) comprising: - a storage tank (12) in which an internal volume (V2) of water can be stored, the inner enclosure (20) having a first section; - a circulation zone (14) comprising at least one energy-producing turbine (28); - at least one production float (34) comprising a third section; - an intercalated structure (15) comprising at least one production conduit (16) extending fluidly between the storage tank (12) and the circulation zone (14) and such as to separate them vertically from each other by a non-zero distance, the intercalated structure (15) comprising a second section, at least the sum of the second and third sections being equal to the first section with a tolerance of plus or minus 5%. Figure for the abstract: 1

The invention relates to the field of vertical axis wind driven generators, and discloses a folding type offshore vertical axis floating wind turbine brake device which comprises a platform, a controller and a wind turbine body, a supporting column is fixedly connected to the middle of the platform, and a shielding mechanism capable of being folded and unfolded is arranged at the top of the platform; a data monitoring mechanism is arranged at the top of the supporting column, a ballast water mechanism is arranged in the platform, and the shielding mechanism specifically comprises a protective shield mechanism fixedly connected to the top of the platform and a protective umbrella mechanism installed at the top of the wind turbine body. The protection shield mechanism and the protection umbrella mechanism are driven by the controller to be unfolded cooperatively, a closed space for blocking wind energy input is formed, overspeed rotation of the wind wheel at the ultrahigh wind speed is avoided, the situation that the blades and the supporting columns bear overlarge dynamic loads is avoided, and the structural survival capacity of the whole floating type wind turbine device under the extreme meteorological conditions such as typhoon is improved.

A system that comprises a hull assembly that includes a plurality of outer columns including a first outer column, a second outer column and a third outer column, the plurality of outer columns surrounding and spaced about a central axis Y.

Described herein is a hydroelectric power harvesting device (100) comprising a support (102), a slide frame (114) movably coupled to the support (102), a float unit (104) for floating in a body of water (106) having a varying water level, an energy generating mechanism (108), and a float rocker arm (110) coupled to the float unit (104) and the energy generating mechanism (108). The float rocker arm (110) pivots about a pivot point (112) on the slide frame (114). The float unit (104) moves with the water level of the body of water (106) to drive the float rocker arm (110) and provide work input to the energy generating mechanism (108). The slide frame (114) adjusts the level of the pivot point (112), the float rocker arm (110), and the float unit (104).

A system that comprises a hull assembly that includes a plurality of outer columns including a first outer column, a second outer column and a third outer column, the plurality of outer columns surrounding and spaced about a central axis Y.

A method of operating a downwind floating wind turbine comprising the downwind floating wind turbine floating in a body of water assuming mean heel angle within a range, the mean heel angle defined by a mean pitch angle of a central axis Y of a tower of the downwind floating wind turbine in a direction of wind; and the downwind floating wind turbine operating with a maximum rotor misalignment from a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to gravity while assuming the mean heel angle. The tower includes a turbine with a nacelle, hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, the plurality of blades configured to rotate about a rotor axis R, the rotor axis R having rotor tilt angle defined by an angle of rotor axis R relative to a perpendicular axis to the central axis Y.

Herein is disclosed a wave power system for extracting energy from water waves. The wave power system includes a basic structure, at least one effector movably engaged with the basic structure and adapted for being moved relative to the basic structure by water waves, and an energy harvesting arrangement arranged for harvesting energy from the relative movements between the energy collector and the basic structure The basic structure is a plurality of duct sections releasable connected to each other. Conveniently, the wave power system includes several effectors.

A wave power facility (100) comprising a support structure (101) installed on the seabed (103) and a top structure (107) supported by the support structure. A plurality of wave units (1) are arranged at the sea surface (105). The wave units (1) are supported by harvest lines (113) extending between the top structure (107) and the seabed. The respective wave units (1) comprise a buoyancy part (1a) which is interchangeable between a compressed state and an expanded state.

This disclosure is directed to hydrodynamic electric generators, including their structural design, methods of deployment, anchoring systems, drive systems and control systems. The system can be scaled from ones that can be hand carried to large, stationary devices that can generate up to and greater than 20 kw in a current of 3 knots. In a stationary system, the device can be anchored to an underwater floor by an anchoring device supported by four adjustable legs. These legs can eliminate the need for extensive mooring lines, providing the device with a small footprint that is non-hazardous to marine animals or vegetation. Individual components, such as rotors, generators and other mechanical components can be modularly installed for easy removal and servicing without having to disturb the entire system.

A wave power facility (100) comprising a support structure (101) installed on the seabed (103) and a top structure (107) supported by the support structure A plurality of wave units (1) are arranged at the sea surface (105). The wave units (1) are supported by harvest lines (113) extending between the top structure (107) and the seabed. The respective wave units (1) comprise a respective buoyancy part (1a) which is interchangeable between a compressed state and an expanded state.

Disclosed is an autonomous vessel comprising a hydrodynamic pump that converts the energy of ocean waves into electrical power when the vessel is floating adjacent to an upper surface of an ocean, and utilizes a portion of the generated electrical power produced to charge an electrical energy storage device. The vessel may submerge itself, and then propel itself beneath the water's surface, after which it may return to the surface and resume its production of electrical energy and recharge its electrical energy storage device.

The present invention relates to a system (10) for producing and converting energy in a marine environment, comprising: - a storage tank (12) in which an internal volume (V2) of water can be stored, the internal chamber (20) having a first cross section; - a flow zone (14) comprising at least one energy-production turbine (28); - at least one production float (34) comprising a third cross section; - an intermediate structure (15) comprising at least one production duct (16) extending fluidically between the storage tank (12) and the flow zone (14) so as to space them vertically apart from one another by a non-zero distance, the intermediate structure (15) comprising a second cross section, a sum of at least the second cross section and the third cross section being equal to the first cross section with a tolerance of plus or minus 5%.

Described herein is a hydroelectric power harvesting apparatus (100). The apparatus includes a support (102); a slide frame (114) moveably coupled to the support (102); a float unit (104) to float on a body of water (106) having a movable water level; an energy generating mechanism (108); a float rocker arm (110) coupled to the float unit (104) and the energy generating mechanism (108). The float rocker arm (110) is pivots about a pivot point (112) on the slide frame (114). The float unit (104) moves with the water level of the body of water (106) to drive the float rocker arm (110) to provide a work input to the energy generating mechanism (108). The slide frame (114) is adjusts the level of the pivot point (112), float rocker arm (110), and the float unit (104).