Abstract: A wind power installation comprising at least two rotors which are arranged one behind the other and of which the first rotor which is arranged in front of the second rotor is of a smaller diameter than the second rotor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wind driven power generator.

Abstract: A multiplicity of horizontal axis rotors are coaxially attached, at spaced intervals, to an elongate driveshaft. This driveshaft with attached rotors is aimed, not directly into the wind, but at a slightly offset angle, allowing each rotor to encounter a wind stream having fresh wind. That offset angle may be in the vertical plane, horizontal plane, or oblique. The shaft is held with rotational freedom at or near its midsection by a cantilevered bearing means, and drives a load, such as an electrical generator. This cantilevered bearing means, along with the rotor laden driveshaft which it supports, is allowed to pivot, as an entire unit, about the vertical axis of a supporting tower. The generator, brake, support frame, as well as a dedicated counterweight can also serve as a counterweight to help elevate the downwind section of the driveshaft, by pushing downward on the upwind section of the turbine.

Abstract: A method for determining rotor blade deflection, wherein a rotor blade is coupled to a hub, includes coupling a first end of a beam to the rotor blade, positioning a second end of the beam adjacent the hub, measuring the deflection of the beam using at least one sensor, and determining the deflection of the blade based on the deflection of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling components associated with turbomachinery by means of one or more venturis placed in the intake flow of air into the compressor with an air inlet upstream of the venturis and an air outlet integral to at least one venturi. The partial vacuum created from the one or more venturis draws air past components that are desired to be cooled.

Abstract: The performance of a turbine in a duct having a convergent and a divergent surface is enhanced by controlling the fluid flow pattern along the inner duct surface. For this purpose a free rotor redistributes part of the inner fluid stream through a ring into the outer stream to prevent premature separation of the inner stream from the divergent duct surface. The turbine and rotor are driven by distinct fluid streams that are separated by a duct.

Abstract: A wind turbine uses a support tower with a rotatable upper portion supporting an electric generating turbine. A set of radially oriented blades rotate in a vertical plane. A control vane is mounted on a hinge bar and is movable vertically along the bar as well as bilaterally about the hinge bar, when the control vane is lifted out of a restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a first horizontal direction where the turbine would be counter-rotated. The control vane is pressed into the restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a second direction, essentially opposing the first direction. The control vane is urged to rotate laterally when lifted out of the restraint well, thereby rotating the upper tower portion until the control vane is positioned for being pressed into the restraint well so as to align the turbine blades for preferred blade rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade which in its tip (1) is provided with a lightning receptor (2) and a drain passage (6; 16; 26; 36; 46; 56) connecting the blade interior (11, 12) with the blade exterior, the drain passage (6; 16; 26; 36; 46; 56) and the lightning receptor (2) having a common interface. The invention further relates to a lightning receptor provided with a drain passage (6; 36; 46; 56).

Abstract: A maritime energy generating device including a windmill mounted on a floating foundation, the windmill having a machine compartment mounted at the top of a tower and the foundation being fixed to the bottom of a water body by a connection and including two tanks and a unit for shifting liquid between the tanks and the tanks and the surroundings.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine anchored in a body of water which produces electricity directly from its housing. The turbine is in and of itself a generator whose housing is its stator and whose blade it its rotor.

Abstract: A kaleidoscopic wind machine for visual entertainment and other uses. The framework of the wind machine includes a vertical mast and a horizontal axle that can swivel about the mast. One or more wheel structures are rotatably attached to the horizontal axle. Each wheel structure includes a rim, a hub, and a plurality of stays extending between and attached to the rim and hub. A plurality of jib sails are attached to each wheel framework in a manner adapted to cause the wheel to rotate about the axle when the wind blows against the sails. A positioning vane is rotatably attached to the downwind end of the axle and is adapted to point the upwind end of the axle into the wind when the wind blows.

Abstract: A wind turbine capable of driving multiple electric generators having a ring or shroud structure for reducing blade root bending moments, hub loads, blade fastener loads and pitch bearing loads. The shroud may further incorporate a ring gear for driving an electric generator. In one embodiment, the electric generator may be cantilevered from the nacelle such that the gear on the generator drive shaft is contacted by the ring gear of the shroud. The shroud also provides protection for the gearing and aids in preventing gear lubricant contamination.

Abstract: A dual rotor wind turbine according to the present invention includes a rotatable drive shaft, a first rotor assembly connected to the drive shaft, a second independently-rotating rotor assembly coupled to the drive shaft rearward of the first rotor assembly, a first stage generator coupled to the drive shaft, a second stage generator operatively connected to the second rotor assembly, a housing wherein the generators are situated, a rotary base, and a tail. In use, the rotary base allows the tail to optimally position the rotors for collecting wind. Wind rotates the first rotor assembly, causing the drive shaft to rotate and operate the first stage generator. Wind passing through and directed off the first rotor assembly rotates the second rotor assembly, independent of the first rotor assembly, operating the second stage generator. The two stage generators are any combination of AC or DC electrical generators, pumps, and compressors.

Abstract: A wind power system is provided including at least one generator fan having a front face and a rear face. The system also includes a first wind capturing device positioned proximate to the front face. The wind capturing device can be configured to capture wind to create a first pressure proximate to the front face that is greater than a second pressure proximate to the rear face. The pressure difference causes the captured wind to flow across the at least one generator fan from the front face to the rear face.

Abstract: The system comprises a nacelle mounted to turn about a vertical axis on the top of a mast and carrying a rotary portion which rotates about a substantially horizontal axis in a large diameter bearing. The rotary portion comprises a hub to which blades are fixed. The system has an electric generator comprising a stator and a rotor in the shape of a disk. The rotor is fixed by a connecting member to the hub adjacent the bearing so that the forces exerted by the wind on the rotary portion are transmitted directly to the bearing without passing through the electric generator.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade made of a fixed blade section with an integral mounting flange for attachment to a wind turbine hub. A moveable blade section is attached to the fixed blade section and is free to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the fixed blade section. A positioning device controllably positions the moveable blade section to vary the overall length of the blade. This allows the wind turbine's rotor diameter to be adjusted. The rotor diameter can be increased in order to provide high power output in low wind conditions and it can be decreased in order to minimize loads in high wind conditions.

Abstract: A habitat friendly, pressure conversion, wind energy extraction system is disclosed for safely extracting usable energy from wind. The system includes one or more shrouds or concentrator wings that convert the dynamic pressure of wind into relatively lower static pressure and thereby induces a vacuum that draws wind into a turbine centralized within the shrouds or concentrator wings. As such, the turbine impellor blades may be significantly smaller than the large diameter rotor blades of current popular designs and may be enclosed within the shrouds or concentrator wings that present themselves as highly visible objects and as such are easily avoided by birds in flight. The novel system in particular includes a device and method of airflow regulation than minimizes or prevents the stalling, or the generation of a turbulent flow of wind over or between the shrouds or concentrator wings.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wind farm power production using hybrid wind turbine apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating rotors in tandem. An upright mast supports bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly. A first set of rotor is mounted on the windward end of the generator shaft, while the second rotor is mounted on the downwind side of the generator shaft. Three alternate approaches are used to increase power production of a wind farm. One approach uses two turbines assembled in tandem. The second approach uses a conventional high-speed induction generator powered by tandemly mounted contra rotating rotors using suitably designed gearboxes. The third approach uses a specially designed low speed direct drive induction generator powered by tandemly mounted contra rotating rotors without the need of gearboxes. Thus, contra rotating wind turbines can be used to generate more electrical energy and revenue from the same wind farms.

Abstract: A powerplant for use in high head applications (dams) which allows marine animals (fish, otters, turtles, etc.) to swim safely from one side of the dam to the other. The turbine blades which take energy from the water to produce electricity have a large hole through their center. They are arranged one behind the other in such a way that the velocity of the water is decreased as it passes through each blade. The large holes through the center of the turbine blades and the decreasing of the water flow, while increasing the amount of energy produced, will allow marine life to easily swim back and forth through the dam.

Abstract: A wind-driven electrical power-generating device has a wind turbine (11) connected to an electrical generator (12), with both the wind turbine (11) and the generator (12) being mounted on a support structure (14) with freedom of movement through 360° in the horizontal plane such that, in use the wind turbine (11) locates downwind of the support structure (14) in a self-orientating manner. The wind turbine (11) is in the form of a housing (16) having an air intake (17) and an air outlet (19) and a plurality of turbine blades (21), located therebetween in the form of a ring (35). A recovery ring of turbine blades (48) is located aft of the turbine blade ring (35). Passage of air over a vortex generator (23), mounted on an outer surface (24) of the housing (16), results in the formation of a vortex downwind of the air outlet (19).

Abstract: The invention takes energy from the periphery of a hydro electric turbine blade to produce electricity by mechanically driving a plurality of generators without the use of a hydraulic system.

Abstract: The ribbon drive generation apparatus is comprised of a ribbon-like curved shape, composed either of metal or other suitable material, attached to a central axle with the complete apparatus being contained in a tube having a constant diameter for the length of the tube. A front portion of the tube has a pivot or tether and the rear portion of the tube has a drag means, such as fins, so as to cause rotation of the tube until it is oriented parallel to the flow. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical output of the ribbon drive generation apparatus is connected to a storage battery so as to store energy in times of high flow and make up for generating deficiencies during times of lesser flow. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, plural generating stages are serially arranged to adapt to flow variation and provide smooth start-up. Bypass vents and coupling means are located between each stage.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for adjusting/controlling the pitch of at least one blade of a wind turbine relative to a wind direction parallel to a longitudinal main shaft of the wind turbine use a mechanism with a motor for rotating drive wheels in the angle gear around a longitudinal blade shaft via drive wheels of an angle gear. The method and mechanism can stop the complete turning of a main shaft of a wind turbine having a motor to rotate a drive pinion in an angle gear via a drive wheel, the angle gear being meant to pitch at least one blade around a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A wind driven power generator is designed for mobile applications and locates the generator in a power housing at the base of the unit on an adjustable mounting arrangement. A lightweight high strength hollow column is supported in the power housing and supports a wind driven turbine at the opposite end of the column. A drive shaft within the column transfers power from the turbine to the generator and causes rotation thereof. Preferably the column provides the only support of the turbine and the column is not supported by guide wires.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enhancing the generation of power with a windmill. It comprises a horizontal axis rotating propeller with a large hub, mounted on a lift-generating device which also acts as the support structure. By adding a lift-generating device around the support structure, lower rotational speeds for the windmill propeller are possible without the penalty of excessive swirl losses in the wake. The lower design speed reduces parasitic losses and improves the overall power output of the windmill. The present invention also uses a large hub to increase the relative speed of the air over the windmill propeller near the hub, further enhancing power generation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tower of a wind power installation for carrying a tower head of the wind power installation, comprising a flange for receiving a connection which is suitable for receiving the tower head of the wind power installation. Therefore the object of the invention is to provide a tower of a wind power installation having a flange for receiving a connection, wherein the tower does not suffer deformation in respect of its cross-section, in particular in the region of the flange, by virtue of the inherent weight of the tower, during manufacture and/or transport. A tower of a wind power installation for carrying a tower head of the wind power installation, comprising a flange for receiving a connection which is suitable for receiving the tower head of the wind power installation, characterised in that there is provided a partition or a ring bulkhead in the tower interior at a spacing of between preferably 1.0 m and 7.

Abstract: A windmill rotor of the front-runner type and airfoil type wind blades therefor in which the blade tips have a longitudinally forwardly curved configuration. The curvature solves the problem of inward flexure of the blade in strong wind conditions, without requiring modification of the manner in which the rotor as a whole is mounted in order to avoid having the blade strike the windmill tower under such strong wind conditions.

Abstract: An offshore wind turbine is disclosed wherein the power transmission in the nacelle is cooled by means of a liquid conducted to the nacelle from the tower on which the nacelle is pivotally arranged around a vertical yawing axis. The liquid transfers heat to the seawater near the turbine which is used as a heat sink of low temperature and enormous heat capacity as compared to traditional air cooling. The liquid is conducted in a closed circuit and the cooling system may comprise more than one cooling circuit. The flow of cooling-liquid may be conducted between the tower and the nacelle through a heat transfer unit having a first part that is stationary with respect to the tower and a second part that is stationary with respect to the nacelle. The parts have at least one annular passageway for a liquid flow defined between abutting surfaces of the parts.

Abstract: A column airflow power apparatus for creating mechanical power is provided. The column airflow power apparatus comprises a column structure having an open first end and an open second end with airflow moving through the column structure from the first end to the second end. A rotatable blade is mounted within the column structure with the airflow rotating the rotatable blade. A power shaft is connected to the rotatable blade with the power shaft rotating with the rotatable blade. A rotatable turret device is mounted to the second end of the column structure and an adjustable airfoil mounted to the rotatable turret. An air concentrator can be mounted within the column structure between the first end and the rotatable blade.

Abstract: A series of horizontal axis type rotors is distributed along the upper section of an elongate torque transmitting tower/driveshaft. The tower/driveshaft projects upward at its base, supported by a cantilevered bearing means, so it is free to rotate about its own axis. The tower/driveshaft is bent downwind, until the coaxially attached horizontal axis rotors become sufficiently aligned with the wind to rotate the entire tower/driveshaft. Power is drawn from the rotating shaft at the base. Surface mount, subsurface mount, and marine installations are disclosed, including a sailboat that can sail upwind, and store energy while moored. Vertical axis rotor blades may be attached to the lower, substantially vertical section of the tower/driveshaft and even to the distal section of the tower/driveshaft, should it hang in a sufficiently vertical direction for such blades to contribute toward rotation.

Abstract: A multiplicity of horizontal axis rotors are coaxially attached, at spaced intervals, to an elongate driveshaft. This driveshaft with attached rotors is aimed, not directly into the wind, but at a slightly offset angle, allowing each rotor to encounter a wind stream having fresh wind, substantially undisturbed by upwind rotors, reducing wind shadow effects from rotor to rotor. That offset angle may be in the vertical plane, horizontal plane, or oblique. The shaft is held with rotational freedom at or near its midsection by a cantilevered bearing means, and drives a load, such as an electrical generator. This cantilevered bearing means, along with the rotor laden driveshaft which it supports, is allowed to pivot, as an entire unit, about the vertical axis of a supporting tower. Certain embodiments comprise an active aiming means, others are configured to have more wind resistance from a downwind section than an upwind section, and so are self-aiming, like a weathervane.

Abstract: Device for preventing the penetration of corrosively acting salt particles into the generator and gear area of an offshore wind power plant, with an air pressure generator for introducing air under an overpressure into at least a substantially closed part of the generator and gear area, and a filtering device connected upstream of the generator and gear area in the flow direction for the separation of moisture and salt particles from the air to be introduced into the area by the air pressure generator.

Abstract: A wind-generated power system for producing supplemental electrical power from wind-producing resource. The wind-generated power system includes a subway system tunnel having a wall and support structure with wind being generated by subway trains passing or traveling at high rates of speed therethrough; and also includes wind-collecting ducts being spaced throughout the subway system tunnel and being attached to the wall and support structure; and further includes shrouds being mounted to the wall and support structure and being connected to the wind-collecting ducts; and also includes turbine generators being mounted in the shrouds and being adapted to transform wind to electrical power.

Abstract: A wind power unit, that uses the power of wind, is made as a support installed power-generating unit comprising at least one turbine with a nozzle apparatus mechanically connected to a generator, a central shell, an annular front shell having at least one input channel of the turbine that forms with the central shell an output channel of the turbine, and annular outside shell that forms with the central shell diffuser output channel. The power-generating unit is equipped with an additional annular shell forming with external surfaces of the front and central shells narrowing-expanding first intermediate channel connected in its intermediate part to turbine output channel, while, with the internal surface of the outside shell, a second intermediate channel connected long with the first intermediate channel is used to diffuse the output channel.

Abstract: A turbine and method which employ kinetic and potential energy of a fluid to obtain mechanical and/or electric energy, is founded on the use of bulb shaped rotating blades that interact with a fluid, such as water or air, Each rotating blade rotates around its own axis and in the radial direction of the fluid itself.

Abstract: A wind turbine has a suspension and holders for such suspensions. Elongated members such as electrical power cables can be suspended from the nacelle of a wind turbine and down through the tower of the wind turbine. The suspension utilizes either a high friction between an inner rod and outer plates to hold the member by ensuring that the length of the inner rod and the supporting plates is at least four times the diameter of the members or a more mechanical holding of the members by providing beads in clamping portions constituting the suspension.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enhancing the generation of power with a windmill. It comprises a horizontal axis rotating propeller blade with a large hub, mounted on a lift-generating device which also acts as the support structure. By adding a lift-generating device around the support structure, lower rotational speeds for the windmill propeller blade are possible without the penalty of excessive swirl losses in the wake. The lower design speed reduces parasitic losses and improves the overall power output of the windmill. The present invention also uses a large hub to increase the relative speed of the air over the windmill propeller blades near the hub, further enhancing power generation.

Abstract: A wind generator with a rotor which rotates in the horizontal direction and has a plurality of rotor blades, wherein the rotor blades are surrounded in some areas by a fairing, the fairing being aligned according to the wind direction so that the rotor blades which are running in the opposite direction to the wind direction are always protected. The wind generator is provided preferably for subsequent fixing on already existing masts wherein the device has an annular bearing ring on which the rotor rotates on bearings, the bearing ring extending around the mast and being fixed by connecting braces on the mast.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power using wind force which is capable of generating good quality electric power by combining the apparatus with the inventor's water wave force-based electric power generating apparatus and installing this combined apparatus in the sea.

Abstract: The polygonal windmill is essentially a windmill with the blade components contained within a rigid polygonal frame, preferably cubic in shape. The polygonal windmill relies on its much larger wind surface area rather than high speeds for energy production. The simple design of the frame and the blades allow the windmill to be constructed with off-the-shelf components and materials, i.e. minimal engineering and manufacturing costs, and minimal labor to construct the windmill. No special cutting or shaping of the blades is needed in the production of the polygonal windmill.

Abstract: A damping coupling is provided to reduce the oscillations of the yawing device of a wind power plant. The damping coupling transmits forces from a driving device to a yaw drive, and the damping coupling is arranged and positioned in such a way that the transmitted moment is dependent on the difference in the rotational speeds between the input and the output shafts of the coupling. The damping coupling is preferably a hydrodynamic coupling.