A turbine integrated within a hydrofoil extracts energy from a
free-flowing motive fluid. In the preferred embodiment, the turbine is of
the crossflow variety with runner blades coaxial to the width of the
hydrofoil. The foremost edge of the hydrofoil comprises a slot covered by
a continuously adjustable gate for controlling the overall drag imposed
by the turbine. The hydrofoil mounts to a sailing vessel by means of a
gimbal on a structure affixed to the hull, enabling the turbine to
optimally respond to changes in direction of the free-flowing motive
fluid and facilitating guidance and stability of the vessel. Both axes of
the gimbal have a combination of auxiliary generator and motor with a
locking mechanism. Engaging the motor and locking mechanism controls the
guidance and stability of the overall vessel, and the pitch of the
hydrofoil. Disengaging the locking mechanism and motor permits any change
in direction of the motive fluid to affect the gimbal thereby extracting
energy via the auxiliary generators. To further control drag and output
power over a range of flow velocities, the preferred turbine comprises a
DC generator with voltage feedback controlling field excitation, coupled
to a voltage and current regulating circuit that performs electrolysis of
water to produce hydrogen fuel. The hydrogen fuel tank also functions as
the vessel's ballast having adjustable draft depending upon its fullness.
Integrated remote control simultaneously optimizes vessel guidance,
velocity, drag, stability, ballast depth, and electrolysis processes.