Openhydro IP Limited

Edward Spooner

Paul Dunne

James Ives

Simon Cawthorne

Wee Keong Khoo

David Taaffe

David Taafe

A method of controlling power provided by a generator to an end system in which power is diverted from the output of said generator to an auxiliary system during periods of excessive power output from the generator. The diverted power is stored in an energy store and, during periods of lower power output from the generator, is returned to the end system by discharging the energy store. The diversion and return of power is controlled to maintain the power delivered to the end system at a desired mean power level. Diversion of power from the generator also has the effect of preventing the generator from producing excessive voltage levels.

Turbulence protection system and method for turbine generators

The present invention provides a hydroelectric turbine for generating electricity by extracting power from the tidal flow of water through the turbine, the turbine comprising a shaftless rotor which results in the eccentric rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, which can result in uneven generation of power through differences in the spacing between rim mounted magnets and coils forming a generator of the turbine, the turbine thus employing groupings of equally spaced and serially connected coils.

Hydroelectric turbine coil arrangement

A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power. The second-stage converter is arranged to convert the DC power to the AC Power for transmission to the receiving station and the second-stage converter is of a voltage-source inverter type.

Method and system for controlling hydroelectric turbines

A hydroelectric turbine array system comprises an array of turbine systems and a supervisory controller. Each turbine system of the array comprises a hydroelectric turbine and a control system. The control system includes a converter system arranged to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the hydroelectric turbine and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the hydroelectric turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station and a control unit co-operable with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator. The supervisory controller determines a performance level of a plurality of hydroelectric turbines within the array and instructs the control unit of at least one of the turbine systems to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator to alter the power generated by the at least one of the turbine systems to thereby control the overall power generated by the array.

An electrical machine comprising a stator and a member arranged to move relative to said stator. The stator comprises a first stator structure incorporating a first plurality of windings disposed along the direction of relative motion and displaced from the movable member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion, and a second stator structure incorporating a second plurality of windings displaced in a second direction from the movable member, so that the movable member lies between the two stator structures. The movable member is arranged to electrically couple with the windings. The first plurality of windings includes a single phase winding connected to a first single-phase ac supply, and the second plurality of windings includes a single phase winding of the same pole pitch being displaced in the direction of relative motion from first plurality of windings and connected to a second single-phase ac supply whose phase is displaced from that of the first supply.

Electrical machine

A power generator for a hydro turbine is axially coupled to the hydro turbine. The generator comprises a rotor arranged to rotate about an axis in response to fluid flow through said turbine. A first stator structure incorporates at least a first winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a first inboard direction from the rotor. A second stator structure incorporates a least a second winding disposed circumferentially around the axis and axially displaced in a second outboard direction from the rotor, the rotor being arranged to electrically couple with the windings.

Power generator for a hydro turbine

A control system for controlling an operation of a hydroelectric turbine. The control system comprises a converter system to convert AC power, supplied by a generator connected to the turbine, and having a voltage and frequency that is a function of a rotational speed of the turbine, to AC power having a voltage and frequency of a transmission system for transmitting the AC power to a receiving station. The system further comprises a control unit that is arranged to co-operate with the converter system to adjust the AC voltage supplied by the generator in response to a water flow speed through the turbine to thereby control rotation of the turbine. The converter system comprises a first-stage converter and a second-stage converter, with a DC link provided between the first and second-stage converters. The first-stage converter is arranged to convert the AC power supplied by the generator to DC power. The second-stage converter is arranged to convert the DC power to the AC Power for transmission to the receiving station and the second-stage converter is of a current-source inverter type.

A system and method for electrical power conversion, with the system being intended for use in converting a high voltage DC power output from a turbine generator to an AC power signal that is suitable for connecting to an AC power grid. The system utilizes a mechanical coupling between a synchronous motor driving a synchronous generator in order to provide isolation, as well as allowing for control of the real power output by the system.

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Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Edward Spooner