Patent ID: 9115685
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A generating apparatus for converting kinetic energy from a substantially horizontal water flow to electrical energy, the apparatus comprising: a support structure; a hub which is rotationally fixed to the support structure; a hub level controller adapted to control the level of the hub on the support structure; a power wheel arranged for rotation about a substantially vertical axis about the hub and provided with rotor vanes adapted to cause rotation of the power wheel when the power wheel is subject to a substantially horizontal water flow; a shroud rotationally mounted on the hub and arranged to cover at least some of the rotor vanes of the power wheel; a directional controller adapted to hold the shroud in a predetermined rotational position relative to the hub dependent on the direction of the substantially horizontal water flow; and at least one generator provided on the hub and adapted to produce electrical power output derived from rotation of the power wheel relative to the hub.