# US 10,767,620 B2 · Water current power generation systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,767,620 B2 - Document ID: US10767620B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/107,208 - Filed: 2014-12-22 - Published: 2016-11-17 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-23 - Assignees: GE Energy (UK) Limited - Applicants: Tidal Generation Limited - Inventors: Jonathan Rhymes; Gregory Pittam; Simon Harper; James Harrison - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767620B2 ## CPC - F03B 15/08: by speed, e.g. by measuring electric frequency or liquid flow - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - F03B 15/06: Regulating, i.e. acting automatically - F03B 15/16: by power output - F03B 17/06: using liquid flow {with predominantly kinetic energy conversion}, e.g. of swinging-flap type {, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" (F03B13/264 takes precedence)} - F03B 17/061: {with rotation axis substantially in flow direction} - H02K 7/1823: {structurally associated with turbines or similar engines} - H02P 9/008: {wherein the generator is controlled by the requirements of the prime mover} - F05B 2220/32: in water turbines - F05B 2240/97: on a submerged structure - F05B 2260/70: Adjusting of angle of incidence or attack of rotating blades - F05B 2270/1033: Power (if explicitly mentioned) - F05B 2270/327: Rotor or generator speeds - F05B 2270/335: Output power or torque - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A water current power generating system includes a support structure located on a bed of a body of water. A power generating apparatus, such as a water current turbine device, is mounted on the support structure, by way of a mounting portion. The system also includes a measurement unit operable to determine operating information relating to operation of the system, and a controller operable to determine loading on the system from such operating information, and to adjust a controlled parameter of the system such that loading on the system falls below a predetermined threshold value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A water current power generating system, comprising: a support structure for locating on a bed of a body of water; a water current turbine device mounted on the support structure, the water current turbine device comprising a main body and a rotor assembly rotatably mounted to the main body; a measurement unit operable to determine operating information relating to operation of the system, the operating information comprising operating condition information relating to a plurality of operation conditions of the system, the plurality of operating conditions comprising, at least, an inclination of the main body of the turbine device with respect to the support structure, the measurement unit receiving, at least, the inclination of the main body as measured by an inclinometer of the system; and a controller operable to determine loading on the system based on the inclination of the main body, and to adjust a controlled parameter of the system such that loading on the system falls below a predetermined threshold value, wherein the measurement unit and the controller are housed within the main body; and the controller is operable to store, in advance of power generating operation of the system, load model information relating to expected loading on the system during such operation, wherein the controller is operable to combine the operating information and the load model information to generate expected loading information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the operating information comprises operating parameter information relating to at least one operating parameter of the system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one operating parameter of the system is chosen from output power, generator rotational speed, generator torque, rotor rotational speed, and rotor blade pitch angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of operating conditions further comprises one or more of the following: loading measurements, flow speed, wave height, or turbulence measurements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controlled parameter of the system is chosen from output power, generator torque, generator rotational speed, rotor rotational speed, and rotor blade pitch angle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the load model information comprises steady state load information. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the load model information further comprises transient load information. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the load model information comprises transient load information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to adjust the controlled parameter of the system so as to cause a power output of the system to rise. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to adjust the controlled parameter of the system so as to cause a power output of the system to fall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method for controlling the system of claim 1, the method comprising: determining the operating information relating to operation of the system; determining loading on the system from the operating information; and adjusting a controlled parameter of the system such that loading on the system falls below a predetermined threshold value, wherein the operating information comprises operating condition information relating to at least one operating condition of the system.