The Kobald Marine Turbine: From the Testing Model to the Full Scale Prototype

Conference Paper

Title: The Kobald Marine Turbine: From the Testing Model to the Full Scale Prototype

Author:

Calcagno, G.; Moroso, A.

Publication Date:

November 29, 2007

Event Name:

International Tidal Energy Summit 2007

Event Location:

London, UK

Pages:

Affiliation

Italian National Institute for Naval Architecture Studies and Testing (INSEAN), Ponte di Archimede SpA

Technology:

Marine Energy, Wave

Document Access

Attachment:

Access File

Citation

Calcagno, G.; Moroso, A. (2007). The Kobald Marine Turbine: From the Testing Model to the Full Scale Prototype. Paper presented at International Tidal Energy Summit 2007, London, UK.

Download Citation File

Abstract

The Kobold is a hydraulic vertical axis turbine with free oscillating blades, patented in 1998 by the Italian company Ponte di Archimede International S.p.A. The architecture of the Kobold turbine was inspired by the Voith-Schneider marine propellers. Its main characteristics are:

Rotation direction independent of current direction.
High starting torque, thus self starting.
Flexible layout: floating or base-mounted.
High efficiency.
Reliable, sturdy and simple.
Self adjusting blades.
No moving mechanisms.