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Abstract

An apparatus and method for extracting a maximum amount of power from a water source includes: a hydroturbine assembly including a shaft; a turbo generator connected to the shaft of the hydroturbine assembly; a frequency sensor for sensing a frequency output by the generator associated with a turbine speed of the hydroturbine; a power converter that converts the electrical output of the turbo generator to a predetermined power value; a power sensor for sensing an output power of the power converter; a maximum power controller that maximizes a power output of the power converter based on: (a) the frequency of the electrical output of the turbo generator sensed by the frequency sensor; and (b) the output power of the power converter sensed by the power sensor; and an energy reservoir for receiving the output of the power converter; wherein the maximum power controller calculates a maximum power output of the power converter. An algorithm permits the maximum power controller to extract the maximum available power at levels that approach stall torque. Power and frequency information are transmitted over the same pair of wires.

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First Claim