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WITH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING CASING OR FLOW GUIDING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO NATURAL FLUID CURRENT FORCE OR DIRECTION

Subclass of:

415 - Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps

Patent class list (only not empty are listed)

Deeper subclasses:

Class / Patent application numberDescriptionNumber of patent applications / Date published
415200100WITH MEANS FOR CONTROLLING CASING OR FLOW GUIDING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO NATURAL FLUID CURRENT FORCE OR DIRECTION56
20130058758WIND TURBINE INSTALLED ON THE TOP FLOOR OF A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, PARTICULARLY IN AN URBAN AREA - A vertical axis wind turbine installed on the top floor of a residential building, particularly in an urban area, is provided with a rotor fitted with blades and actuated by the wind, thus driving a generator to provide electrical power. The wind turbine includes a wind-channelling base which extends through a funnel, particularly a diverging tapered funnel, at the neck of which the rotor is placed. The rotor includes a median channelling hub mounted on the inner part of the neck of the funnel.03-07-2013
20090142178Wind Turbine Tower And A Control System And Method For Altering The Eigenfrequency Of A Wind Turbine Tower - A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine rotor with at least one wind turbine blade, a wind turbine tower, such as a standard tubular steel tower, positioned on a foundation and connected to the wind turbine rotor through a wind turbine nacelle, and a control for establishing oscillation control values of the wind turbine. The wind turbine being capable of altering the load for optimizing the tower eigenfrequency in response to acquired values from the controls. The invention also relates to a control system and method for altering the eigenfrequency of a tower of a wind turbine.06-04-2009
20110268555FRICTION BRAKE FOR WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS, WIND ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPGRADING - A friction brake is provided for use in a wind energy system. The friction brake includes a piston adapted for being at least temporarily in contact with a braking surface, the piston having an outer circumferential surface that comprises a outer contact area. Further, the piston brake includes a housing for housing the piston, the housing having an inner surface that comprises a inner contact area wherein the inner contact area and the housing area are adapted for temporarily being in contact with each other. At least one of the inner contact area and the housing area is made of a non-metallic material. In addition, a wind energy system and a method for upgrading a wind energy system is provided.11-03-2011
20080267762NACELLE ASSEMBLY HAVING INLET AIRFOIL FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - A nacelle assembly includes an inlet lip section and an airfoil adjacent to the inlet lip section. The airfoil is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position to adjust the flow of oncoming airflow and to influence an effective boundary layer thickness of the nacelle assembly.10-30-2008
20090110537Gas Turbine Engine Systems Involving Integrated Fluid Conduits - Gas turbine engine systems involving integrated fluid conduits are provided. In this regard, a representative engine casing for a gas turbine engine includes: a casing wall; and a fluid conduit integrated into the casing wall.04-30-2009
20100329840FLOW DEFLECTION DEVICE CONSTRUCTION - New devices and methods for the construction of large Flow Deflection Devices (FDDs) are presented.12-30-2010
20100284784PLACING WATER TURBINES IN WATER FLOWS - A floating turbine, including a vertical substantially fixed structure such as a pile or cable, a hydroelectric turbine, a connecting piece between the turbine and the structure that is operative to enable vertical motion of the turbine on the surface of the water.11-11-2010
20110002773CIRCULAR RING, ROTATING DUCT, SHROUD, TRUNK AND CYLINDRICAL EXTERNAL WALL PREPARED BY LAMINATION OF SHEET BELT, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME - The invention provides a ring, rotatable duct, shroud, fuselage or cylindrical external wall fabricated so as to have desirable strength even if its diameter exceeds about 2.7 meters by using arbitrary metallic and non-metallic materials. Such ring and others may be readily fabricated by laminating a thin sheet band made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin of 0.01 mm to 5 mm thick or a thin sheet band made of rubber or silicon of 0.1 mm to 50 mm thick by winding around a giant spinning wheel by at least two rounds or more so as to form a longitudinal plate portion of 2 mm or more in radial thickness when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber or synthetic resin and to form such portion of 4 mm or more thick when the band is made of metal, ceramics, cermet, fiber, synthetic resin, rubber or silicon.01-06-2011
415300100 Having specific features for water current 2
20100119353Systems For Improved Fluid Flows Through A Turbine - A system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.05-13-2010
20110058929HYDROKINETIC TURBINE STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM - A hydrokinetic turbine system, including a plurality of hydrokinetic turbines is installed on a bed of a body of water. Each turbine has a shroud with a forward entrance portion and rear exit portion. The shroud includes a propeller disposed in a middle portion thereof. An inner surface of the shroud includes a plurality of rifling vanes formed therein to induce water entering the forward entrance portion to rotate in a vortex-like fashion. A plurality of pre-spin guard blades disposed adjacent the forward entrance portion also induce rotation of water and serve to provide a barrier preventing objects from passing into the forward entrance portion. A plurality of stabilizers extending from an exterior surface of the shroud that position the forward entrance portion in the direction of current flow.03-10-2011
415400100 Natural fluid current force responsive 41
20100329842Arrangement and method to control the yawing of a wind turbine - A wind turbine and a method of controlling yawing of a wind turbine are provided. A nacelle is mounted rotatable around a first axis by an adjustable yaw angle and a hub is mounted rotatable around a rotational axis. The hub includes a blade rotating around the rotational axis, the blade defining a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotational axis. A channel of the wind turbine has an opening, the opening being located at a predefined distance to the rotor plane. At least one component of incoming wind is guided through the opening and into the channel as air flow. A measuring device is provided for measuring the air flow, the measuring device being connected to a controller. The controller detects a yaw angle error between a direction of the incoming wind and the rotational axis, the yaw angle error being used to adjust the yaw angle of the nacelle.12-30-2010
20090081020Wind turbine - A wind turbine for use in generating electricity. The wind turbine includes a housing being secured atop a tower. A wheel is mounted within the housing and is rotatable about a horizontal axis when struck by winds passing over the front of housing. The wheel has a hub and a number of paddles radiating outwardly from the hub and above the housing. An electrical current generator is connected to the wheel so as to be powered thereby. A wind shield is mounted within the housing for selectively preventing winds passing over the front of the housing from reaching the wheel.03-26-2009
20110027067COATED SHROUDED WIND TURBINE - A wind turbine has an impeller surrounded by a shroud. The shroud includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The surface is coated with a silicone polyurethane polymer. The resulting surface has reduced surface energy, and can shed rain, snow, and ice more easily.02-03-2011
20110020107MOLDED WIND TURBINE SHROUD SEGMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS FOR SHROUDS - A wind turbine shroud that comprises a plurality of wind turbine shroud segments engaged to each other in a radial pattern about a central axis. Each wind turbine shroud segment may be created through a rotational molding and/or blow molding process and can be engaged with other wind turbine shroud segments to create a variety of wind turbine shrouds.01-27-2011
20100329841California wind engine - The CWE Concepts are designed to extract the maximum possible wind energy passing through a given square footage area of influencing machine interface at given calculated velocities, to deliver that energy to two power take off shafts for end user's useful work (electrical power generation and other requirements). A multi-bucket “S” rotor, airfoils, baffles and cowling combined, utilize one hundred percent of that moving air volume most efficiently. Our strategies are to use smaller units, yielding more power than existing designs while being installed at much lower levels, urban friendly, less visible, nearly-enclosed rotating machinery, quieter, and safer for indigenous wildlife populations. We plan to market for commercial and residential customers, in turn providing HVAC and electrical power augmentation to utility companies—a reliable and robust addition to the national power grid. Our goals—reduce dependency on foreign oil and provide a clean alternative.12-30-2010
20110091311HIGH EFFICIENCY TURBINE SYSTEM - The present invention is a high efficiency turbine system which can increase a pressure differential between an upstream location and a downstream location. The turbine system includes a propeller attached to a shaft, which can both be located in a shroud. The shroud includes a projection, such as a brim, which protrudes inward and/or outward from the shroud. The projection includes brim units arranged asymmetrically and/or in repeating patterns to generate various vortex and swirl patterns. The brim units can have a different size, shape, width, and/or height than an adjacent brim unit. The brim units can be arranged in a non-parallel manner and can be rotatable. Furthermore, the brim units can form brim groups which can be arranged asymmetrically and/or in repeating patterns to generate various swirl patterns. The turbine system can also be used in a renewable energy system, which can be used to power electronic devices.04-21-2011
20080298950NACELLE COMPARTMENT PLENUM FOR BLEED AIR FLOW DELIVERY SYSTEM - A gas turbine engine is provided with a nacelle having a hollow inner space. The inner space is utilized as a plenum for directing air from an inlet to an outlet at the upstream end of the nacelle to allow control of an effective lip width of the nacelle under certain flight conditions.12-04-2008
415400200 Vertical runner axis 18
20090155043Vertical Multi-Phased Wind Turbine System - A vertical axis multi-phased wind turbine power generating system is disclosed. An adjustable air scoop directs air from a first phase of the prevailing wind into an air turbine for efficient power generation. An exit section, which uses a second phase of the prevailing wind in combination with an optional and adjustable exit section drag curtain or barrier, provides for efficient re-entrainment of this first stage of power generating air back into the downstream prevailing wind. The adjustable air scoop and adjustable exit drag curtain or barrier, where utilized, is automatically rotated in a self correcting manner to be suitably and optimally oriented to the prevailing wind direction. The design provides for a second stage of power generation to be accomplished by additionally utilizing a portion of the second phase of prevailing wind to directly or indirectly drive the turbine in a second stage of power production.06-18-2009
20100034636Stabilizing Apparatus For Vertical Axis Wind Turbine - A stabilizing apparatus is provided, applicable to all kinds of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), including a plurality of ball units and at least a guiding unit. The guiding unit has a circular cross-section and forms a ring-shaped housing space inside for housing the ball units. The inner wall of the bottom of the ring-shaped housing space inside the guiding unit forms a ring-shaped guiding surface. The ring-shaped guiding surface extends from the center of the apparatus towards the brink of the circumference of the apparatus. The straight line connecting the edge of the inner circle and the edge of the outer circle of the ring-shaped guiding surface forms an angle of 0-45° to the horizon surface. When the present invention is installed with the wind turbine rotor of a VAWT and rotates with the wind turbine rotor synchronously, the ball units move outward along the ring-shaped guiding surfaces because of the centripetal force; hence, the rotational inertia of rotor system increases as the rotor rotation speed is increased by wind so that the wind turbine rotor can start with a lower starting torque and spin more stably.02-11-2010
20130051978Wind Energy Conversion Devices - A wind turbine for harvesting energy from both horizontal and vertical wind currents having an open frame structure and a central passage through the structure with at least three wind energy harvesting generally vertically disposed and rotatably mounted blades positioned about the central passage and at least three wind energy harvesting generally horizontal blades projecting radially from the central vertical axis of the device. The open frame structure includes a unique rod and cable central structure offset from the periphery of the frame. In one embodiment, the frame structure is suspended from a rotatable hub at the top of a stationary mast.02-28-2013
20110280707Wind Turbine Utilizing Wind Directing Slats - Various embodiments of a wind turbine are disclosed having a plurality of pivotable slats disposed about a rotor coupled to one or more blades. Each of the plurality of slats can be pivoted such that the open slats on a windward side redirect the wind to cause rotation of the rotor and the closed slats on a leeward side retain at least a substantial portion of the wind within the interior.11-17-2011
20100054910FLUID TURBINE SYSTEMS - Various fluid turbine systems and methods are described. The turbine can be a vertical axis wind turbine configured to generate power from wind energy. The turbine system can have a blade assembly. The blade assembly can have a plurality of blades rotatable about an axis. The turbine system can have a concentrator positionable upwind and in front of a return side of the blade assembly. The concentrator can define a convex surface facing the wind. The turbine system can also have a variable concentrator positionable upwind of a push side of the blade assembly. The variable concentrator can be adjustable between a first position and a second position, the variable concentrator being capable of deflecting more wind toward the turbine in the first position than in the second position.03-04-2010
20080317582Vertical axis dual vortex downwind inward flow impulse wind turbine - A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array.12-25-2008
20090097960Vertical axis windmill assembly - A windmill assembly includes (a) a support frame; (b) a rotor rotatably mounted to the support frame for rotation around a vertical axis in response to the movement of wind passing the wind engine. The rotor includes (i) a shaft, (ii) at least two wings extending radially from the shaft, and (iii) a plurality of vanes pivotally mounted to one side of each wing and movable between a closed first position wherein the vanes prevent wind from passing through the wing and an open second position wherein the vanes permit wind to pass through spaces between the vanes and through the wing, wherein the wings are arranged such that when the vanes on one wing are in the closed position the vanes on the other wing are at least partially open.04-16-2009
20100266383BALANCED SAIL WIND TURBINE - A wind turbine includes a rotor rotatably mounted to a vertically disposed shaft. A plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated mounting arms extends radially from the rotor. A corresponding plurality of elongated generally planar sails extends along and is pivotally connected to the elongated arms. Sails are balancingly mounted on the arms and rest in a rest position generally at a 45° angle relative to a horizontal disposition when not acted upon by wind or rotor rotation. As the sails drive the rotor, the balanced sails move effortlessly into and out of alignment with the direction of current flow of the wind.10-21-2010
20090169354Apparatus for Use of Flow Energy - The apparatus for use of flow energy has elongated circumferential elements (07-02-2009
20110255954FLUID-DRIVEN MILL - A fluid-driven mill includes: a supporting unit including a vertical shaft and a plurality of stoppers; and a plurality of vertical plate members, each of which is pivoted to the supporting unit so as to be rotatable relative to the supporting unit about a corresponding rotational axis which is parallel to a central vertical axis defined by the vertical shaft between a pushing position and a release position. The vertical plate members are angularly displaced from each other and are disposed around the central vertical axis. The stoppers are disposed between the vertical shaft and an imaginary cylindrical plane formed by the rotational axes.10-20-2011
20090324383Wind compressor - A wind compressor system having one or more wind turbines and a plurality of wind compressors located proximate the one or more wind turbines. The wind compressors optimize the energy created by the wind turbines by redirecting and converging the wind from the wind compressor to the wind turbines. Each of the wind compressors comprises an obstruction having a size and shape adapted to converge the wind currents by means of a venturi effect toward the one or more turbines thereby increasing the velocity and force of the wind hitting the wind turbine. A plurality of transporters coupled to the wind compressors. The transporters configured to move at least one wind compressors to a location that maximizes the force of the wind encountered by the turbine.12-31-2009
20100296913WIND POWER GENERATING SYSTEM WITH VERTICAL AXIS JET WHEEL TURBINE - A wind power generating system that is a technology for converting wind energy to electrical energy is provided. The system blocks flow of air inside the impeller, so that a high speed jet pressure on an I.G.V. (inlet guide vane) is converted to a constant pressure between the blades disposed downstream of the flow which has passed through the inlet guide vane, thus generating a large amount of torque.11-25-2010
20080213083Vertical Axis Windmill And Wind Turbine System For Generating Electricity From Wind Energy - A lift-type wind turbine having a substantially vertical rotating shaft and a plurality of substantially vertical blades secured to the shaft. Each blade includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a pivot axis pivotally securing the rear and front portions. The rear portion pivots relative the front portion. The blades additionally include bottom and top edges positioned on each of the front portions. Each bottom edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a first circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft, whereas each top edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a second circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft. The blades are angled relative to the rotating shaft. The blades have an open, drag means position as well as a closed, lift means position, and passively switch between the positions based on wind speed for efficient rotation.09-04-2008
20120121380KINETIC ENERGY TRANSFORMING MODULE - A kinetic energy transforming module includes a main shaft perpendicularly and rotatably standing on supporting surface and at least one blade structure horizontally mounted on the main shaft for driving the main shaft via wind power. The blade structure includes a horizontal shaft, an upper fan blade and a lower fan blade. The horizontal shaft is fixed on the main shaft. The two fan blades are respectively hinged on the horizontal shaft. Combining these three pieces together becomes a plane, perfect arc or a half circle shape. Find suitable place on the horizontal shaft building some stoppers to control the upper fan blade rotation angle from 5 to 90 degrees, and the lower blade rotation angle from −15 to −90 degrees. Hence, the blade structure is able to keep blades rotating and accelerating to achieve higher wind power efficiency.05-17-2012
20120121379TOWER TYPE VERTICAL AXLE WINDMILL - A tower type vertical axle windmill includes a tower portion. The tower portion has a plurality of layers and a plurality of wind turbines and a computer is used to open and close the walls of the tower portion. Each of the wind turbines includes a seat portion, an energy output assembly and a rudder assembly. The seat portion can carry other components. A circular platform is disposed on the base portion of the energy output assembly and is supported by bearings to enable it to turn around. A flywheel is disposed on the outmost portion of the blade module and can store the energy extracted from the wind and enhance the balance of the windmill. In addition, an output axle is connected with the circular platform and a generator.05-17-2012
20120171011WIND TURBINE-TYPE DEVICE - The invention relates to a wind turbine-type device for utilizing the energy contained in an air flow. Said device is equipped with a rotating cylinder (07-05-2012
20110052369ENHANCED VORTEX ENGINE - The invention covers improvements to the Atmospheric Vortex Engine. A tornado-like convective vortex is produced by admitting air at the base of a cylindrical wall via tangential entry ducts. The heat required to sustain the vortex is provided in peripheral heat exchange means located outside the cylindrical wall. The heat source for the peripheral exchange means can be waste industrial heat or warm sea water. The preferred heat exchange means is a cross-flow wet cooling tower. The mechanical energy is produced in a plurality of turbines. The air can enter an arena via tangential entries or via an opening at the center of the arena floor. The invention can be used to produce mechanical energy, to reduce the temperature of cooled water or to produce precipitation. The invention includes a circular forced draft cooling tower that can operate in non-vortex mode or in vortex mode.03-03-2011
20100254798Vertical axis windmill - An upstanding bladed rotor is journalled from support structure and a windshield assembly is also journalled from the support structure for angular displacement about an upstanding axis about the rotor. The windshield assembly includes a wind-shielding portion which extends generally about one half the periphery of the rotor and further includes a wind vane operative to maintain the assembly in predetermined position relative to wind incident upon the rotor with the wind-shielding portion in position to shield generally one lateral half of the rotor from the incident wind. The windshield assembly additionally includes a combined wind booster and excess wind controlling vane supported therefrom and disposed outward of the other lateral half of the rotor into the sweep area thereof responsive to high velocity wind incident thereon so as to apply rotary torque to the windshield assembly partially overcoming the directional control thereon by the wind vane and swinging the wind-shielding portion into position across the side of the rotor upon which the wind is incident so as to reduce the amount of high velocity wind available to drive the rotor and thus prevent the latter from overspeeding.10-07-2010
415400300 Axial flow runner 16
20100080683SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING A WIND TURBINE IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS - Systems for protecting a wind turbine in high wind conditions are disclosed. A shrouded turbine may have an ejector shroud disposed adjacent and downstream of a turbine shroud. In one version, the ejector shroud can move to surround the turbine shroud. In another version, the turbine can be pivoted on a support tower to cover the intake end of the turbine and rotate the turbine about an axis at a right angle to the tower axis. In another version, the turbine is supported by a telescoping tower which may be retracted to lower the turbine in high winds. In another version, the tower sections may be connected by a pivotable connection and supported by guy wire(s) which may be lengthened to lower the upper tower section pivotally.04-01-2010
20090238676Accelerator for use in a wind power electrical generating system - An accelerator for a wind power electrical generating system which mounts at least one wind turbine and which defines an air passageway capturing and delivering wind to the turbine. The accelerator comprises a cage-like support structure of thin sturdy members which defines in three-dimensional outline the air passageway. A cover which is mounted on and about the support structure in a floating relationship therewith may be injection-molded or thermo formed plastic. Connecting members between accelerators are provide with labyrinth seals.09-24-2009
20110142594METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF A WIND TURBINE - A method for monitoring wear of a blade pitch brake within a rotor blade pitch control system of a wind turbine is described. The rotor blade pitch control system includes a blade pitch actuator. The method includes engaging the blade pitch brake and measuring a blade pitch displacement while the blade pitch brake is engaged. The method further includes determining a brake wear level based on the measured blade pitch displacement while the blade pitch brake is engaged, and generating a brake wear level output signal corresponding to the brake wear level.06-16-2011
20080260514Method for Damping Tower Vibrations in a Wind Turbine Installation - A method in connection with a wind turbine installation for damping tower vibrations, in particular a floating wind turbine installation comprising a floating cell, a tower arranged over the floating cell, a generator mounted on the tower that is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind turbine, and an anchor line arrangement connected to anchors or foundations on the sea bed. The tower's eigenvibrations, ω10-23-2008
20110286832Back to back turbine - Since a normal turbine will not rotate in one direction with a bidirectional force, this turbine uses two turbines back to back to rectify this force. When the flow comes in one direction the turbine will present one face, when the flow reverses direction the turbine will present the other face. This is so because of this back to back design of this turbine. Each blade of this turbine has one side with a pitch angle but the back side of the blade has 0 degrees pitch that is it is flat. In other words the flat side of each blade will be facing each other and the pitch side of each blade will be facing outward. When seen from the top this back to back blade has a separation between the flat sides of the blades. This is so they will have less resistance with the air when rotating.11-24-2011
20100143093ARRANGEMENT TO DETECT A HIGH ROTATIONAL-SPEED OF A BLADE - An arrangement for determining a rotational-speed of a blade rotating around an axis is provided. A transmit-unit is located at the rotating blade, while a receive-unit is located at the rotating hub of the blade. The transmit-unit and the receive-unit are connected by a transmission-system, which is used to transmit a signal from the transmit-unit to the receive-unit. A detection-unit is located at the blade, which is used to detect a force acting on the blade due to the rotation of the blade. The detection-unit is built to interrupt the transmission of the signal when the detected force exceeds a predetermined value. The receive-unit comprises a control-unit, which detects a high rotational-speed of the blade by evaluating the interrupted transmission of the signal. The transmission-system is built as an optical-transmission system, which transmits an optical-signal from the transmit-unit to the receive-unit for evaluation.06-10-2010
20090087301Machine for increased hydro power generation - A multidirectional hydrokinetic power generating turbine has an impeller housing with one or more impellers disposed within the impeller housing, one or more adjustable ducts pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and a plurality of duct leafs disposed about the one or more ducts. The plurality of duct leafs articulate and cause the one or more adjustable ducts to converge and diverge to selectively disposing a fluid about the one or more impellers.04-02-2009
20090087300Vertical axis dual vortex downwind inward flow impulse wind turbine - A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array.04-02-2009
20090290972FLOW DEFLECTION DEVICES AND METHOD FOR ENERGY CAPTURE MACHINES - The flow of fluid into energy capture machines is crucial for determining the amount of energy extracted, particularly in the field of renewable energy resources. The current invention describes devices and methods for applying the physics of flow to energy capture machines, most commonly wind and water turbines, by enhancing the flow into the energy capture component by the appropriate placement of various objects called flow deflection devices (FDD). FDDs can make a highs significant improvement in power output.11-26-2009
20110142595WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH CONTROLLED ACTIVE FLOW AND VORTEX ELEMENTS - A wind turbine blade includes a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or pressure side surfaces. An active flow control system is operably configured with the vortex elements so as to direct pressurized air through the vortex elements and along the blade surface. The aerodynamic performance of the blade is modified by a combined effect of the vortex elements and the active flow control system.06-16-2011
20080317583Offshore Wind Turbine with Device for Ice Prevention - Offshore wind turbine (12-25-2008
20090317231WIND TURBINE WITH MIXERS AND EJECTORS - A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.12-24-2009
20100158661REPAIR OF ROTOR BLADE ROOTS - A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.06-24-2010
20090285667Fluid movement device with method - A rotatable impeller is a hollow conical/cylindrical stack, with at least one slanted/vertical side portion and at least one level of stack portions. Each impeller comprises at least one shape of airfoil/hydrofoil for thrust to propel, or pull, i.e., to draw in, vapor or fluid; plus a dynamic application utilizes a reverse operation to generate electricity from the kinetic energy of the flow of vapor or fluid. One airfoil/hydrofoil configuration of a stack impeller comprises serpentine rectangular segments positioned by internal rib members. Considered additional levels are enlarged copies of the first level of the stack impeller, positioned at an engineered distance from each level, are considered to amplify propulsive or vacuum force; or for energy recovery to operate a dynamo generator.11-19-2009
20120301273ADJUSTABLE EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR A RAM AIR TURBINE GENERATING SYSTEM - An adjustable exhaust apparatus for use with a pod having a pod housing formed with at least one exhaust opening comprises a number of exhaust panels each hinged to the pod housing in position to move between a closed position in which the at least one exhaust opening is sealed, and an open position in which the exhaust panels are oriented at up to about a 30° angle relative to the pod housing. The exhaust panels, when in the open position, are effective to create a negative pressure within at least the aft portion of the pod housing to draw air into the pod and to assists in maintaining or at least avoiding an appreciable drop in the kinetic energy of an air stream moving through the pod interior.11-29-2012
20100247289SEGMENTED WIND TURBINE - Disclosed are wind turbines comprising a turbine shroud and optionally an ejector shroud. The shrouds are segmented, or in other words have longitudinal spaces between segments. Such wind turbines have reduced drag load, particularly those loads due to off-axis wind forces.09-30-2010
415400400 Vertical runner axis 3
20110280708VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINS - A vertical axis wind turbine comprising a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of substantially rigid blades mechanically coupled to the shaft, each of the plurality of blades comprising an elongate body having an upper and a lower end, wherein the upper end and the lower end of each blade are rotationally off-set from each other about the longitudinal axis such that each blade has a helix like form, the section of the elongate body of each blade, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, being shaped as an aerofoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a camber line defined between the leading edge and the trailing edge, characterized in that the aerofoil is arcuately shaped such that the camber line lies along a line of constant curvature having a finite radius of curvature.11-17-2011
20120189428WIND TURBINE - A wind turbine device comprising a base frame which supports a vertical axis wind operated rotor, the axis being associated to a user device and being contained in a matchingly-dimensioned cylindrical casing exhibiting two openings, respectively an inlet and an outlet, aligned perpendicular to the rotor axis, the casing being driven to rotate about the axis by a member sensitive to the direction of the wind, such that the inlet opening is always facing into the wind.07-26-2012
20090263232COMPACT AIR COOLING SYSTEM - An apparatus for air cooling an object. The apparatus includes a plate including a first surface and a second surface and a plurality of aerodynamic fins being fixedly disposed on the first surface in an arrangement along periphery of the plate. The arrangement of the plurality of aerodynamic fins defining a central volume of space. Additionally, the apparatus includes a blower including a plurality of impeller blades rotatably disposed within the central volume of space for rotary motion about an axis of rotation. In particular, the second surface is for thermally contacting with the object and the axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. Furthermore, the rotary motion of the blower creates an air inflow along the axis of rotation into the central volume of space and an air outflow through the plurality of aerodynamic fins in radial directions.10-22-2009
415400500 Axial flow runner 2
20120183387SHROUDED WIND TURBINE SYSTEM WITH YAW CONTROL - A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.07-19-2012
20080267763Rotary machine including a passive axial balancing system - The invention relates to a rotary machine for passing a main liquid stream, the machine comprising: 10-30-2008

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