Dynamic Response of a Variable Pitch Wells Turbine

Dr W.K.Tease Turbine Department Wavegen, 13a Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1SY, Scotland

Abstract
The paper describes a theoretical and experimental investigation concerning the aerodynamic performance of a variable pitch Wells turbine. Initial comparisons are made with steady state tests which were carried out on Wavegens variable pitch turbine test-rig, ref. Fig.1. The turbine blade pitch angle and rotational speed was held fixed while the flow through the system was increased through the full range. The blade pitch angle was increased incrementally through a range of 0 to 30 degs. Non-dimensional performance curves of efficiency and pressure versus flow coefficient are presented, and the correlation between theoretical and experimental results is shown. A secondary set of tests was carried out to access the influence of introducing a variation in the axial flow incident on the turbine blades. Rectified pseudo sinusoidal pulses were supplied to the turbine and the effect of this on the devices performance was studied. A predictive control technique was implemented in order to maintain the average cycle efficiency as system response was important. Numerical results were generated for a full scale prototype Variable Pitch Turbine which is to be installed on the LIMPET OWC test facility.

Notation
h Hub to tip ratio

h=

Rh Rt

Eqn.(1)

Rt - Tip radius of turbine rotor, (m) Rh Hub radius of turbine rotor, (m) S Blade solidity

S=
N C tc

NC (Rt + Rh )

Eqn.(2)

Number of turbine blades Blade chord length, (m) Tip clearance, (m) Blade efficiency, %

T PQ

Eqn.(3)

P Pressure drop across rotor, (Pa) Q Flow rate, (m3/s) T Shaft Torque, (Nm) - Angular velocity of rotor system, (Rads/s) P* - Non-dimensional pressure

P* =

P 2 Rt2

Eqn.(4)

- Density of air, (Kg/m3) - Non-dimensional flow coefficient

Vx Vt

Eqn.(5)

can be expressed as an angle

= Tan 1

Vx Vt

Eqn.(6)

Figure 1

Vx - Axial velocity in duct annulus upstream of turbine blades, (m/s) Vt - Circumferential tip velocity of turbine rotor, (m/s)

Vt = Rt

Eqn.(7)

s Effective blade flow angle threshold flow coefficient Abbreviations VPT Variable Pitch Turbine LVDT Linear Voltage Displacement Transducer OWC Oscillating Water Column LIMPET Land Installed Marine Powered Energy Transformer

Introduction
The conventional Wells turbine which was invented by Prof. A.A. Wells in the mid-1970s has been extensively researched over the last 30 years. A variety of modifications have been made to the basic turbine geometry during this period based mainly on techniques used in the fan and gas turbine industries, typically biplanar and contra-rotational rotors with and without guide vanes(1-5). Improvements were made both in terms of peak efficiency and operational bandwidth. To further improve the performance of these devices the operational bandwidth must be further extended. Increasing the peak system efficiency was not considered feasible due to the symmetry of the turbines geometry and the variations in pressure and flow. Postponement of blade stall via pitch actuation would increase the operational envelope of the turbine while maintaining high conversion efficiencies. Research carried out by Gato, Falcao, Sarmento and Salter et al highlighted the potential rewards(6-14). The main questions that remained unanswered were: (1) How would the VPT perform in real life? Could it react in time so that conversion efficiency is maintained? (2) Could the VPT be safely controlled at all times? (3) Could the VPT be manufactured for an acceptable price? (4) Would the VPT operate reliably? This paper presents the preliminary findings of experimental and theoretical research work being carried out under Wavegens Variable Pitch Turbine (VPT) development program.

first code is called VPFREQ and is based on a statistical frequency domain technique and the second is called VPTIME and is a full time domain method. VPFREQ is used for fast design iterations for optimising the overall layout of the rotor geometry and predicting the average performance variation throughout the year. The incident flow variation to the turbine is represented by a gaussian distribution. The aerodynamic part of the turbine model is based on average values and is constructed using 2D aerofoil lift and drag characteristics. Blade proximity pressure field effects are accounted for by using cascade corrections pre and post stall. Mach number compressibility has been corrected for. The following aerodynamic loss models have been included: (1) Rotor tip and hub clearance losses. (2) Hub windage. (3) Duct losses due to reduced pressure recovery from axial diffusion and swirl recovery, caused by flow separation and skin friction effects. (4) Pressure loss across valves. The following mechanical loss models have been included: (1) Frictional loss in bearings as they become loaded and unloaded. (2) Blade actuation. The following electrical loss models have been included: (1) Generator (2) Inverter (3) Transformer (4) Grid limitations The rotor speed is fixed and operational limits can be set so startup, shutdown (incident power levels must be sufficient to overcome the fixed losses of the system) and power limiting (the system can only absorb power up to the limits which are imposed by the power absorption equipment and the grid) can be accounted for. The control algorithm defining when the blades should pitch is assumed ideal. Once the effective angle of attack on the blades has reached a pitch threshold, then the blades pitch instantaneously to keep the effective angle of attack on the blades constant thus preventing stall. The VPTIME model has input pressure time traces which have been generated from a tank model for the collector geometry at optimum damping. The sea state variation throughout the year is represented by a series of 8 sea

Numerical Modelling
Two types of fully parametric numerical model have been constructed to simulate the performance of the variable pitch turbine. The

states. The pressure time signals are scaled to reflect full-scale device data using Froude scaling and according to their proportional applicability, to represent the annual average incident pneumatic power captured in the wave energy collector. Further adjustment is made to the pressures, due to any damping modification, which would occur for the particular turbine geometry chosen. The incident power level is assumed to remain unchanged and the power damping equation adjusts the chamber pressures. The system flow is then calculated for any instant in time by solving the pressure flow damping equation for the system. The turbine section aerodynamically is constructed as a strip model and therefore represents the full blade 3D geometry and how it behaves as it pitches. Because the model can operate in the time domain then it is possible to simulate dynamic behaviour of the system. The turbine speed can be allowed to vary and the system rotary inertia is included. All the loss models outlined in the VPFREQ model are included in the VPTIME model and have been modified to represent time and speed variation effects. It is therefore possible to study different control algorithms and hence the effects of system response. This is important when checking the effects of grid failure and the safety chain events which take place to ensure the plant remains under control at all times. During periods of low incident power the plant shuts down while during periods of excessive power where the capacity of the generator or grid is exceeded an inline valve partially closes to limit the supply.
Steady State Numerical Results Figure 2 shows steady state pressure vs flow numerical results which have been generated to simulate the performance of the VPT test rig operating at 4000RPM. The effect of varying the blade pitch angle is shown. For a fixed blade pitch the rotor pressure drop flow variation is linear up to the point of stall; beyond this it is highly non-linear. Increasing the pitch angle pushes the curve to the right delaying stall to higher flow rates.

P ressu re v F lo w R ate
6000 4000 2000
P, (Pa)

B lade P itc h
0 Degs

5 Degs

10 Degs
0 -10 -5 -2000 -4000 -6000 Q, (m ^ 3/s) 0 5 10

15 Degs

20 Degs

25 Degs

30 Degs

Figure 2 Figure 3 shows steady state power vs flow with the effect of varying the blade pitch angle. At zero pitch and small flow rates, power has to be supplied to the rotor to overcome the blade drag. As the flow rate increases the blade power increases non-linearly positively so power could be extracted up to the stall point. Beyond this point the aerodynamic lift mechanism has broken down and the power drops off and goes negative. As the blades are pitched the drag caused by the blades at zero flow increases and the greater the pitch the more power has to be supplied to keep the rotor spinning at the set speed. Increasing the flow rate overcomes these losses and larger power levels can be generated at the expense of larger flow rates. This is because pitching the blades rotates the lift force further towards the direction of rotation and the drag force away and the net result is increased positive torque. In the post stall region the power drops off.
Power v Flow Rate
40000 30000 20000
Power, (W)
0 Degs
5 Degs
10 Degs
15 Degs
20 Degs
25 Degs
30 Degs

10000 0 -10 -5 -10000 -20000 -30000 Q, (m^3/s) 0 5 10

Figure 3 Figure 4 shows steady state damping vs flow with the effect of varying the blade pitch angle. It should be noted that once the turbine stalls the damping falls of dramatically. The damping also reduces quickly as the blades are pitched. This must be correctly accounted for when matching the device to the OWC collector.

Damping v Flow Rate

2000 1500 1000 P/Q, (Pas/m^3) 500 0 -10 -5 -500 -1000 -1500 -2000 Q, (m^3/s) 0 5 10
Blade Pitch

0 Degs

5 Degs

10 Degs

15 Degs

20 Degs

25 Degs

30 Degs

Figure 4 Figure 6

Experimentation
Test Geometry The turbine tested was a variable pitch monoplane Wells turbine, reference Table 1 for geometry details.

Parameters
Rt h No. Blades c Blade Profile tc Table 1 0.2775m 0.7 13 55mm NACA0012 1.5mm 3500 RPM

The turbine test rig is powered by a 75kW centrifugal blower. Air is drawn in through the bellmouth shaped entrance and the flow rate can be regulated via a vane damper. A wide angle diffuser slows the air down as it expands into the settling chamber. Anti turbulence screens and a honeycomb flow straightener conditions the air before it enters the test section, ref. Figure 5. The turbine rotor is positioned in an annular test section which has symmetrical annular diffusers.

The turbine blades were manufactured from aluminium alloy and have an aerodynamically smooth surface finish. The rotor tip clearance is about 1.5mm when the machine is running. The turbine rotor is mechanically connected to a pneumatically operated brake disk dynamometer which is computer controlled. An inductive type shaft torque transducer is positioned between the rotor and the dynamometer so the power developed by the rotor can be measured. A toothed wheel magnetic pickup is used to measure accurately the systems rotational speed. The rig is also equipped with pressure transducers for the measurement of pressure drop across different sections of the system. The calibration factors for the torque transducer, rotational speed sensor and pressure transducers for pressure and flow measurements were checked before and after a series of tests were conducted and were found to be within the manufacturers specifications. Instrumentation Flow Calibration The flow rate through the wind tunnel has been calibrated for different inlet damper settings by measuring the velocity profile at a reference station upstream of the turbine for each setting. Figure 7 shows the level of flow uniformity. A pitot static probe was used to measure the flow velocity into the system.

Variable Pitch Rotor Dynamometer Actuation System

Air Flow

Diffusers

Figure 5

Duct Velocity Distribution

50 45 40 Station P1 P2 P3
Torque Readout, (Nm)

Turbine Torque Transducer Calibration

80 60 40 20 0 -80 -60 -40 -20 -20 -40 -60 -80 Applied Torque, (Nm) 0 20 40 60 80 Series5 Linear (Series5) y = 0.9791x + 0.0101 R2 = 1

35 Velocity, (m/s) 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Radial Position, (mm)

Figure 7 Figure 8 shows the relationship between the annular velocity incident on the turbine blades and that at the measurement station over the full flow range. Corrections for flow profile shape have been made; the flow has been assumed to be incompressible.
Relationship Between Pitot ref. Velocity Measured at Station P3 and Annulus Axial Velocity
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 Pitot ref. Velocity, (m/s) 30 40 y = 1.8159E+00x R 2 = 9.9965E-01

Figure 9 System losses Because the design of rotor systems change with size due to structural strength and performance considerations, it was important to breakdown the power flow components in the system so that the magnitude of the losses and behaviour could be fully understood. The mechanical losses in the system were determined using an indirect method. Before any measurements were taken the system was spun at 3000RPM until the bearings had reached operating temperature (minimum of 30C). The turbine was then spun up to 3000RPM using the startup motor and the shaft torque and rotational speed were recorded with respect to time after the motor was switched off. This showed how the values decayed with time for zero flow rate as the rotor system decelerated. The blades were pitched to different angles, (-30 to 30) to assess the effect the change in body geometry has on windage. Also some steady state results were recorded at 3000 RPM. Combining the deceleration and steady state tests it was possible to calculate the systems inertia. This was also checked mathematically. It was then possible to derive a relationship between rotational speed and power loss due to the combined action of bearings, rotor disk friction and blade drag for different blade pitch angles. Further tests were carried out without any blades attached so the blade drag could be separated out. Figure 10 shows the combined hub windage and bearing friction variation with rotational speed for different pitch angles. Because the test speeds are above 3000 RPM, care must be taken when using extrapolation to calculation the losses at these higher values.

Annulus Velocity, (m/s)

Series1 Linear (Series1)

Figure 8 Torque Calibration The power developed by the turbine was measured using an inductive shaft torque transducer; calibration results are shown in Figure 9. A pneumatic computer controlled braking system was used to load the turbine as more flow was forced through the device. The brakes surface temperature was monitored in real time so that the units temperature was kept within safe operating limits. Water-cooling was used to dump the heat during high load tests. Power levels of up to 20kW's can be dissipated.

Variation of System Windage Loss w.r.t. Blade Pitch

0 0 -100 -200 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Hub Windage, (W)

30Degs -30Degs 0Degs

Poly. (30Degs)
Poly. (-30Degs)
Poly. (0Degs)

-300 -400 -500 -600 -700 Omega, (RPM) y = -9.3564E-09x 3 - 1.0263E-05x 2 - 6.9961E-02x R2 = 9.9189E-01

Figure 10 Blade Pitch Angle The turbine blade pitch angle can be regulated in real time while the turbine is in motion. This is achieved by using a computer controlled stepper motor worm drive which converts rotary into a linear motion. This presses against a swash plate, which in turn is linked to the blades via bell-horns. Average pitch rates of up to 32degs/s were achievable. The turbine blade pitch angle was correlated against the linear displacement of the actuation mechanism using an LVDT, ref. Figure 11.
Blade Pitch Calibration
30

losses. As the incident power level increases more flow is supplied to the turbine and this increases the flow coefficient for a set speed. The power developed becomes positive and increases and so does the blade efficiency. If the flow coefficient increases beyond a value of about 0.17 (for a monoplane) then the turbine stalls. This is due to the aerodynamic lift mechanism which drives the turbine, breaking down. So the turbine has limits over which it can operate. The power the system can absorb can be increased if the system set speed is allowed to increase therefore keeping the turbine within the correct flow coefficient range.
Vx

Vt Direction of Rotation

Vr

Direction of Air

Fixed Pitch Turbine

20

= TAN-1(Vx/Vt)

Eqn.(8)

Blade Pitch Angle, (Degs)

10

Figure 12
0 5 10

0 -15 -10 -5 -10

y = -4.0913E-03x 3 - 8.9649E-02x 2 - 2.9748E+00x -20 R 2 = 9.9974E-01

-30 Ax ia l Displa ce m e nt, (m m )

Figure 11 Controls The turbine was controlled primarily from two real time control signals, rotational speed and axial velocity incident on the rotor blades, ref. Fig.8. A sample rate of 40Hz was used when acquiring the data. Fixed Pitch Consider first the case of a fixed pitch turbine. The instantaneous incident angle of attack onto the turbine blades can be calculated if the tip velocity, Vt, and axial velocity, Vx, towards the rotor are known, ref. Figure 12. Several physical constraints limit the flow coefficient range over which the turbine can operate. Below a flow coefficient of 0.035 the turbine cannot operate due to friction losses associated with the rotating part of the system, the power in is not sufficient to overcome these

Variable Pitch If the turbine blade pitch angle is allowed to change with time, ref. Figure 13, then the effective angle of attack onto the turbine blades can be limited and stall prevented up to the maximum pitch angle achievable. Beyond this point the turbine will stall in the usual way. It is therefore possible to define an open loop control system where, because the instantaneous flow coefficient is known, an effective blade flow angle threshold flow coefficient can be set. If the flow through the turbine continues to increase for a set speed and the flow coefficient continues to increase then the blade pitch angle can be calculated to keep this threshold angle constant. Turbine stall is prevented.

Vx

Vt s Vr

Correlation Between Experimental and Numerical Results

Steady State Results Figure 14 shows the variation of blade efficiency with flow coefficient for different blade pitch angles. Good agreement is achieved between the experiment and the numerical model. In the post stall region the predictions are not so good due to current modelling limitations. The shape of the blade efficiency flow coefficient curves for zero pitch matches that produced for monoplane Wells turbines of similar solidity and hub to pitch ratio tested in independent test laboratories(7,10). As the blades are pitched the same holds true. The numerical model under-predicts the blade efficiency in the post stall region, in reality the turbine does not stall as quickly, particularly at high blade pitch angles. The air is effectively deflected by the blade under these conditions.
Effect of Blade Pitch
100 90 80 Blade Efficiency, (%) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
Exp 0Degs
Exp 3Degs
Exp 11Degs
Exp 24Degs
Exp 32Degs
Num 0Degs
Num 3Degs
Num 11Degs
Num 24Degs
Num 32Degs

Direction of Rotation

Direction of Air

Variable Pitch Wells Turbine

If < s = 0 Otherwise = s

Eqn.(9)

Figure 13 Steady State Test Conditions The turbine was spun up to 3000RPM, above this speed the device was air powered. It was gradually accelerated to its test speed of 35004500 RPM by opening the inlet control damper. Once the test speed had been reached the dynamometers computer controlled PID braking system automatically takes over and applies sufficient pressure to the brake pads to hold the turbine at constant speed as it is being loaded. More and more air is forced through the turbine as the inlet vane damper is opened.
Dynamic Test Conditions Before a dynamic test can commence the turbines speed is first stabilised using the steady state test start-up procedure. After this had been achieved the control module is instructed to send a rectified pseudo sinusoidal flow pulse of fixed period and amplitude to the turbine. This is achieved by modulating the inlet vane damper. The following test case was analysed, ref. Table 2. The controller was instructed only to begin pitching the blades once the effective angle of attack had been exceeded. Pulse Period (Secs) 5 Table 2 NonDimensional Flow Coefficient Amplitude 1.5 Effective Blade Flow Angle Threshold (Degs) 11

Blade Pitch Angle

Flow Coefficient

Figure 14 Figure 15 shows the variation of the rotor nondimensional pressure with flow coefficient for different blade pitch angles. Good agreement is achieved between the experiment and the numerical model in the prestall region, the gradient and position of the curves for the different pitch angles match well. In the post stall region the predictions are not so good due to current modelling limits. In the numerical model the kink in the P* flow coefficient curve occurs at too low a flow coefficient. The kink offset is also over predicted.

Effect of Blade Pitch

1.6

Numerical Predictions For LIMPET Full Scale VPT

Blade Pitch Angle
Exp 0Degs

1.4 1.2 1
P*

Exp 3Degs

Exp 11Degs

Exp 24Degs

0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 Flow Coefficient

Exp 32Degs

Num 0Degs

Num 3Degs

Num 11Degs

Num 24Degs

Num 32Degs

Following the good correlation between the steady state experimental and numerical data sets for the VPT test rig it was decided to carry out a preliminary performance study on a full size VPT suitable for installation on the LIMPET test facility. The annual average pneumatic power captured by the shoreline OWC chamber is estimated to be about 160 kW. 8 sea states were used to represent the variations in power levels throughout the year. Table III gives the basic turbine parameters for the design.
Specification No. 1 2 3 4 5 Key Parameters Damping, (P/Q)t Rotational Speed, Tip Radius, R t Hub Radius, R h Number of Blades, N 100 2500 650 455 13 Dimensions Ns/m
5

Figure 15 Dynamic Results Figure 16 shows the variation of the pseudo rectified input power pulse to the turbine with time with a 5 sec period. Peak incident powers of 35kWs are achieved. The output blade power peaks at about 30kWs and lags the incident power by 1sec.
5S R ec ectifiedPu lse
40 35 30 25
Power, (kW)

RPM mm mm

20 15 10 5 0 25 -5
BladePow O er ut
Pne c Pow In umati er

Table III A closed loop control system was implemented with an optimum blade coefficient being maintained with a data sample rate of 40Hz. The composite curves shown in Figures 20 23, were generated by factoring the results from the individual sea states and their percentage occurrence. Figures 19 - 23 are presented to give an overview of the findings. Figure 19 shows how the blade pitch angle varies with time and how the effective angle of attack on the blade is controlled, note the flattening of the effective blade angle traces. Blade stall was prevented and high blade efficiency was maintained for a varying flow input.
Blade Angle v Angle of Attack
8 6 30

35

45

55

6 5

75

85

-10 T e, (Secs im )

Figure 16 Figure 17 shows the variation of blade angle and effective angle of attack on the turbine blades. Due to the time delay in responding, initially the effective angle of attack on the blades can be seen to over shoot and then correct itself to the requested effective blade flow angle threshold. Some noise is evident on the control signals and this is causing the blades to pitch about the calculated value.
5Sec R ectifiedPulse
2 5

2 0

Effective Angle of Attack (deg)

20

1 5

Angle , (Degs)

1 0

Bla Pitch de

0 15 -2 -4 -6 -8 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95

0 2 5 -5 Time, (Secs ) 3 5 45 55 6 5 7 5 8 5

-10

-20

-30 time (s)

Figure 17 Figure 19

Effective Angle of Attack

Blade Angle

Blade Angle

Effective Flo Ang w le

10

Figure 20 shows the effect of restricting the maximum blade pitch rate on the shaft power absorbed for different incident power levels and operating speeds. Previous research(6,8) had indicated a peak pitch rate of 32/sec was required in order for the device to respond efficiently to the pulse flow input. Figure 20 confirms this finding.
Maximum Blade Turning Rate
120 100 80

A nnual Distribution of Blade Pitch

25 20
% Occurrence

15 10 5 0 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Blade Pitch Angle, (Degs)

Shaft Power

60 40 20 0 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100

45.6kW/1720rpm
91.1kW/2150rpm
136.7kW/2500rpm

Figure 22 Figure 23 shows how the annual average electrical output for a full size VPT fitted to the LIMPET OWC varies with the installed generator capacity. A generator of 250300kWs capacity would be suitable for the power module. This is 3 - 3.5 times the annual average electrical output, similar to what would be used in wind turbines. This enables the turbine to cope with the increase in the average power available during the winter months without being hit by too high electrical losses during the summer months.
Electrical Power output for LIMPET fitted with ideal VPT as a function of Generator Size
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Generator Capacity (kW)

Maximum Blade Turning rate (deg/sec)

Figure 20 Figure 21 shows the variation of blade efficiency with respect to pneumatic power inputs for different blade pitch range limitations. For the annual pneumatic power of 160kW it is evident that limiting the blade pitch range to 10 severely reduces the blade efficiency. A blade pitch range of 30 has been set for the full scale device; the data is showing a convergence of the data curves and practically this is an achievable objective in relation to the design of the blade retension and pitch mechanisms.
Maximum Blade Pitch Range
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Pneumatic Power (kW)
Blade Pitch Range

Blade Efficiency, %

30 degs
20 degs
10 degs

Figure 23

Conclusions
The VPT can extend the efficient operational flow envelope for wave energy turbines by avoiding stall at high flow rates by pitching the blades. Peak blade pitch rates of 32 /s are required in order to maintain conversion efficiency. Maximum blade pitch angles can be limited to 30 without severe performance drop off. Signal acquisition rates of 40Hz are required to enable system response. A robust numerical model for sizing VP turbine systems has been developed.

Figure 21 Figure 22 shows the annual distribution of blade pitch motions. This data is of use when designing the blade retension and pitch systems with respect to fatigue and the wear of bearing surfaces.

Annual Average Electrical Output (kW)

Further Developments
Minimisation of losses Detailed design development. Practical implementation. Cost engineering.

Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank Dr T.V. Heath for assistance with the numerical modelling, H. Ellen, S. Lewis and G. Dixon for their assistance in the design and development of the variable pitch turbine test rig. The work was financially supported under the DTI contract project reference No. V/06/00202/00/00 and by Wavegen.

References
(1) Gato L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Aerodynamics of the Wells Turbine, Int. J. Mech. Sci. 30, pp. 383-395, 1988. (2) Raghunathan S.; The Wells Air Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion, Prog. Aerospace Sci., Vol 31, pp 335386, Jan 1995. (3) Gato L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Performance of the Wells Turbine with a Double Row of Guide Vanes, Jan 1990. (4) Setoguchi T., Takao M., Kaneko K. & Inoue M.; Effect of Guide Vanes on the Performance of a Wells Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion, Proceedings of the 7th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Honolulu, May 1997. (5) Curran R., Whittaker T.J.T., Raghunathan S. & Beattie W.C.; Performance Prediction of Contrarotating Wells Turbines for Wave Energy Converter Design, Journal of Energy Engineering Vol 35, Aug 1998. (6) Salter, S.H., "Variable Pitch Air Turbines", Proc. 1993 European Wave Energy Symposium, 21-24th July 1993 Edinburgh, pp 435-442. (7) Gato, L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Aerodynamics of the Wells Turbine: Control by Swinging Rotor-Blades, Int. J. Mech. Sci., Vol. 31, No. 6, pp. 425434, 1989. (8) Sarmento, A.J.N.A., Gato, L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Wave- Energy Absorption by an OWC Device with Blade-Pitch-Controlled Air-Turbine, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior

Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal., pp. 465473. (9) Vakalis, S. & Sarmento, A.J.N.A.; Real-Time Control for the Performance Improvement of an OWC with a Variable Pitch Blades Wells Turbine. (10)Gato, L.M.C.; Eca, L.R.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Performance of the Wells Turbine with Variable Pitch Rotor Blades; Journal of Energy Resources Technology, September 1991, Vol. 113, pp. 141-146. (11)Sarmento, A.J.N.A., Gato, L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; TurbineControlled Wave Energy Absorption by Oscillating Water Column Devices, Ocean Engineering, 1990. (12)Gato L.M.C. & Falcao, A.F. De O.; Phase Control of OWC by Wells Turbine with Swinging Rotor Blades: Turbine Aerodynamic Performance, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal. (13)Kinoue,Y.; Setoguchi, T.; Tim, T.H. & Kaneko, K.; Air Turbine Using SelfPitch-Controlled Blades for Wave Energy Conversion, Proceedings of the 12th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Kitakyushu, Japan, May 26-31, 2002, pp 668-673. (14)Salter, S.H. et al, Variable-Pitch Turbine and High-Speed Stop-Valve. under contract JOR3CT950002, 1995.