Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on a surface of the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of reinforcing members and a plurality of noise reduction features. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members extends outwardly with respect to the rotor blade. Each of the plurality of noise reduction features is connected to one of the plurality of reinforcing members and defines a width. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members causes the connected noise reduction feature to have a variable stiffness throughout at least a portion of the width of the connected noise reduction feature.

Abstract: An inflatable rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a flexible skin. The flexible skin assumes, when inflated by means of an inflation medium, the shape of an airfoil which has an inner cavity. When the inner cavity is formed, at least one stiffener unit is arranged in the inner cavity of the rotor blade and maintains the airfoil shape of the flexible skin.

Abstract: A turbomachine with a row of blades in which the blades are structured such that the blades can untwist at higher rotational speeds in order to provide optimal aerodynamics at different rotational speeds. Each blade is formed with a thin slot between the pressure side wall and the suction side wall so that stresses from centrifugal forces occurring during high rotations will not pass from adjacent walls and allow for the blade to untwist more than a solid blade. Each blade is formed from a fiber laminated composite material with the fibers oriented at different directions to form different stiffness in each direction so that a desired untwist can occur based upon a given blade mass and rotational speed. A thin sheet of a slippery material can be placed within the thin slot and between the adjacent airfoil walls to allow slippage between the adjacent walls and to promote damping for the blade.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind turbine having a turbine with a plurality of blades or wind vanes. The blades are constructed and attached to the shaft of the turbine so as to allow them to twist open to present more surface area to wind currents when a threshold rotational velocity is reached. Also presented are a novel outer shell that is placed over at least part of the shaft and a novel turbine blade.

Abstract: A reinforcing sheet for wind power generator blades includes a resin layer and a restricting layer laminated on the resin layer.

Abstract: The twist distribution of torsionally-flexible rotor blades is adjusted by exploiting centrifugal effect on inertial torquers affixed at one or more stations along the blade span. Twist is thereby made to vary passively as a function of rotor speed and hub incidence angle. With inertias of appropriate size and location, the twist variation is such that high rotor efficiency is maintained over a wide range of operating conditions. Satisfactory dynamic behavior of the blade, including cyclic-pitch response and flutter resistance, is simultaneously achieved.

Abstract: Rotor blades are pre-bent in at least one of a flap direction and a lag direction, wherein the pre-bent portion comprises at least 20-60% of the length of the blade. Preferred methods include analyzing the rotor dynamic behavior using computational methods, deciding on the operational case (rotor lift load, forward speed, etc.) in which the loads and vibration reductions are desired, and using the computed results to decide on an amount of pre-bending of the unloaded blade so that it comes closer to the feather axis under load. Another class of preferred methods models the bending of a first blade in flight loading conditions, and then designs a second blade having a pre-bend in approximately an equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the bending. It is contemplated that such “pre-bent” blades can significantly reduce rotor loads and vibration levels of rotorcraft equipped with semi-rigid or rigid rotors.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: A turbine assembly comprising a blade assembly having a plurality of curved blades with an inner end of each of the curved blades terminating at a cavity. The cavity has an open side with a generator located within the cavity and coupled to the blade assembly. The turbine assembly is suitable for underwater use. Multiple turbine assemblies may be connected to form a power generation station.

Abstract: The twist distribution of torsionally-flexible rotor blades is adjusted by exploiting centrifugal effect on inertial torquers affixed at one or more stations along the blade span. Twist is thereby made to vary passively as a function of rotor speed and hub incidence angle. With inertias of appropriate size and location, the twist variation is such that high rotor efficiency is maintained over a wide range of operating conditions. Satisfactory dynamic behavior of the blade, including cyclic-pitch response and flutter resistance, is simultaneously achieved.

Abstract: Cloth or fabric fan blades self-inflate when rotated about an axis to produce air movement, the blades being secured to a fan hub which is in turn connected to a fan motor assembly that provides the rotational force to inflate the blades, the blades collapsing upon contact with any object for safety purposes, the innovative blades being lightweight and safe such that no fan guard is required.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a rotary positive displacement fluid meter having an inner body wall surface that includes a first impeller having an outer surface located within the rotary positive displacement fluid meter and adapted to be directly driven by a fluid flow. The assembly also includes a flexible edge member situated at a distal end of the impeller such that there is a clearance between the flexible edge member and the inner body wall of the rotary positive displacement fluid meter. The impeller defines a longitudinal axis and the flexible edge member has a length along the longitudinal axis and a width in a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blade for a turbo machine with a blade; the outer surface of the blade in contact with fluid is formed of an elastic cover which surrounds a supporting structure; a flowable inflating medium is located between the elastic cover and the supporting structure; measures are taken in order to facilitate an overflowing of the inflating medium from the one side of the blade to the other side.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stirrer tool that includes a head component having a first body portion and a second body portion connected to the first body portion with a first plurality of projections extending substantially radially out from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a body portion. Head component may also have a second plurality of projections extending in a substantially distal direction away from a distal end of the body portion, and all of the projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the head component and stiff enough to mix viscous products.

Abstract: A fan with supercharging device has a hub and fan blades. A hub has a shape similar to a cone with a tip end and a circumferential side. The fan blades extend radially from the circumferential side of the hub. Each of the fan blades has a joining end being attached to the circumferential side, a free end extending outward the hub and a front edge and a rear edge being between the joining end and the free end respectively. The rear edge of the respective fan blade is shielded by the front edge of another fan blade next to it. The unshielded portion of the respective fan blade has an area gradually increases from the joining end to the free end. A projection is disposed at the free end along a direction of fluid flow. Hence, fluid pressure is capable of increasing significantly while the fan is in operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an impeller assembly having a flexible impeller and a method of replacing a removable drive mechanism. The impeller assembly includes an impeller having an outer portion defining a substantially cylindrical shape, at least one flexible blade extending radially outward from the outer portion, and a first bore extending a first axial length. The impeller assembly also includes a tubular insert supported at least partially within the first bore. The tubular insert has a second bore defining a substantially cylindrical shape with a first radial distance from an axis passing through the center of the impeller, and a key portion radially extending from the second bore. The key portion defines a second radial distance from the axis larger than the first radial distance.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a wind turbine including at least one blade adapted to automatically adjust its shape as a function of rotational speed to create an efficient fluid dynamic profile over a wide range of wind conditions and rotational speeds. The rotor assembly includes at least one blade configured to respond to rotation induced forces to automatically bend in a manner to optimize its wind profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stirrer tool that includes a head component having a first plurality of projections extending substantially radially out from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a body portion. Head component may also have a second plurality of projections extending in a substantially distal direction away from a distal end of the body portion, and all of the projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the head component and stiff enough to mix viscous products. The projections may further be capable of being shortened by cutting off a selected length of the projections. The first plurality of projections may be configured to create a vortex mixing action and the second plurality of projections may be configured to reach and stir up sediment on bottoms and in corners of containers.

Abstract: Upper surface (13) of an aerofoil (or rotor blade) is provided with nozzles or slots (14, 16) at leading portion (15) and trailing portion (17) to assist attachment of airflow by discharging gas towards trailing edge (11). Gas discharged may be heated, eg coming from rocket-type combustion chambers within the aerofoil. The aerofoil may be adjustable between high profile (as shown) and low profile (for supersonic flight) using jacks that pivot sections of upper surface (13) at leading and trailing edges (10-11).

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising: (1) a support portion; (2) a hub that is mounted to rotate adjacent the support portion; and (3) at least one turbine blade mounted adjacent the hub and that comprises both a rotor and a sail that is mounted adjacent the rotor. The rotor may be in the shape of an airfoil, and the sail is preferably mounted to be selectively extended and retracted adjacent the rotor. The wind turbine may include a boom that extends adjacent the rotor. In one embodiment, the sail is mounted so that the sail is stored adjacent within, or adjacent a rear surface of, the boom when the sail is in a retracted position. The exterior surface of the boom may be substantially in the shape of an airfoil. In one embodiment, the wind turbine is configured to selectively extend or retract its sails in response to varying weather conditions.

Abstract: An impeller according to an example of the present invention comprises a hub, and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which the impeller is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may comprise a plurality of blades, arranged in blade rows, to facilitate radial compression of the blades. The outer edge of a blade may have a winglet, and the base of the blade may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blade.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind turbine having a turbine with a plurality of blades or wind vanes. The blades are constructed and attached to the shaft of the turbine so as to allow them to twist open to present more surface area to wind currents when a threshold rotational velocity is reached. Also presented are a novel outer shell that is placed over at least part of the shaft and a novel turbine blade.

Abstract: An electronics cooling fan comprises at least one collapsible fan blade driven by centrifugal force to extend radially as the fan spins and driven by elastic force to retract as spinning slows or stops.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating power from a water current in a body of water comprises a longitudinally extending flotation platform for maintaining the apparatus afloat in the body of water and a water turbine operatively carried by the platform for generating power in response to water current in the body of water. The platform is configured to enhance the flow of water current over the turbine blades and, as well, to enable a number of like platforms each with an associated turbine or turbines to be arrayed in a cooperative manner. The water turbine may comprise a turbine rotor with a plurality of relatively narrow, flexible elongated blades arranged in circumferentially spaced rows extending along the rotor. In each row, the blades are distanced from each other in succession by a space.

Abstract: A rotor for a wind power installation having at least one rotor blade. The smaller the surface area on which the wind acts, that is to say in particular the rotor blade area, the correspondingly lower is the load level for which installation has to be designed and the correspondingly more easily can the rotor blade be transported. On the other hand the size of the wind power installation entails minimum dimensions which are unavoidable for operation and below which the installation dimensions may not fall. In order to provide a rotor blade which on the one hand has the aerodynamically required surface area but which on the other hand is so designed that the surface area of the rotor blade and therewith the depth thereof can be reduced in predetermined situations a part of the surface of the rotor blade is deformmable or movable.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine having twist bend coupled rotor blades on a rotor mechanically coupled to a generator includes determining a speed of a rotor blade tip of the wind turbine, measuring a current twist distribution and current blade loading, and adjusting a torque of a generator to change the speed of the rotor blade tip to thereby increase an energy capture power coefficient of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method for the improvement of wind turbine rotor efficiency blades of a wind turbine rotor with serrated trailing edges each having a plurality of span-wise, periodic indentations, in the form of saw teeth having approximately 60 degrees included angles between adjacent vertices. The efficiency of an existing wind turbine rotor is improved by the attachment of an apparatus to at least part of the trailing edge of the wind turbine blades, the apparatus being in the form of a serrated panel that is fixed to the surface of the blade and has the serrations extending into the airflow behind the trailing edge of the existing blade. The efficiency of a new wind turbine blade is improved by manufacturing the blade with serrations of at least part of the trailing edge of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A ceiling fan assembly is provided having a frame defining a plurality of fan blades, a replaceable one-piece fabric covering attached to the frame, and a frame holder that supports and positions the frame and attaches it to a fan motor. The fabric covering may be used to provide a visual display such as decoration or advertising.

Abstract: A hybrid pump (1) with a housing (2) comprising at least one suction port (10) and at least one pressure port (11). A rotor (5) is eccentrically arranged in the housing chamber (3) which is substantially enclosed in a circular manner. The rotor (5) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes (6) which are radially arranged at least in some segments and are made of a material that is resiliently deformable under centrifugal force. The eccentricity (14) of the rotor (5) in relation to the housing chamber (3) and the elasticity of the rotor vane (6) are such that in a first phase of low rotational speed, the radially distant end areas (7) of each vane (6) touch only some or no circumferential segments (4) of the housing chamber (3) in the course of one rotor (5) rotation, whereas in a second phase of higher rotational speed, the radially distant end areas (7) of all vanes (6) touch the inner wall (4) of the housing chamber (3) essentially during the entire rotor (5) rotation.

Abstract: A fan and a fan blade are provided for allowing airflow through the fan blade in a fan failure condition. The fan blade includes a peripheral member defining an opening. A flexible cover member is attached to the peripheral member for covering the fan blade opening during normal operation of the fan. The flexible cover member is hingeably attached to the peripheral member for movement away from the peripheral member enabling airflow through the fan blade opening in a fan failure condition.

Abstract: A rotor for cooling pumps is provided. The rotor is of the type which includes a core to be assembled on a shaft connected with an engine and a body, fitted in the core, provided with a plurality of radial tabs in flexible material. The core and the body with the tabs are both of a material like rubber, but with different hardness. In particular the core is made of a mixture of neoprene, nitrile, PVC and aramidic fiber. The rotor combines the features of lightness and wearproof of the rotors with a nylon core, but it is as strong and resistant as rotors with a metallic core.

Abstract: A monodirectional impeller for centrifugal electric pumps having a permanent-magnet synchronous motor, having vanes which are deformable at least along part of their extension so as to change their curvature, when loaded, in one direction of rotation, so that the power required for rotation in that direction is greater than the maximum power that can be delivered by the motor.

Abstract: A ceiling fan blade comprises a cloth blade, a plurality of springs and an arctuated frame. The arctuated frame is provided with a protrusive shaft for cooperating with the springs. The cloth blade forms an inclined angle for pushing air. Meanwhile, by taking advantage of the spring at the inner side of the cloth blade to hook the protrusive shaft of the adjacent frame, whereby to stabilize the inclined angle for pushing air and prevent the torsion oscillation as well. Furthermore, the structure of the cloth blade is not only easy for reassembling and dismantling and cleaning, but also can be folded for storage and transportation, substantially cutting down the storing space.

Abstract: This invention concerns a rotor for cooling pumps of the type comprising a core to be assembled on a shaft connected with engine means and a body, fitted in said core, provided with a plurality of radial tabs in flexible material, wherein said core and said body with said tabs are both of a material like the rubber, but with different hardness.

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable wind turbine blade assembly includes a plurality of reconfigurable blades mounted on a hub, an actuator fixed to each of the blades and adapted to effect the reconfiguration thereof, and an actuator power regulator for regulating electrical power supplied to the actuators. A control computer accepts signals indicative of current wind conditions and blade configuration, and sends commands to the actuator power regulator. Sensors measure current wind conditions and current configurations and speed of the blades. An electrical generator supplies electrical power to the assembly. Data from the sensors is fed to the control computer which commands the actuator power regulator to energize the actuators to reconfigure the blades for optimum performance under current wind conditions.

Abstract: A boat propeller and guard device for protecting marine wildlife from being hurt by coming into contact with boat propellers. The boat propeller and guard device includes a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from the hub; and also includes flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective fin; and further includes strips of fastening members being attached to the flexible guard members for fastening the flexible guard members to the fins.

Abstract: A radial-flow pump (1), and especially a coolant pump for an internal combustion engine, comprising an impeller (2) provided with vanes (5) and a directing device (4) including at least one temperature- and/or speed-sensitive element for temperature-dependent control of the coolant flow, where at least one impeller vane (5) and/or the directing device (4) is configured as a speed-sensitive element. In order to increase efficiency, the proposal is put forward that the impeller vanes (5) should be elastically deformable by Coriolis forces of the coolant flow, the discharge angles (&agr;), which are preferably defined between impeller vanes (5) and impeller tangential planes (&egr;), decreasing with an increase in speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine that employs resilient, flexible vanes attached to a rotor that spins within an oval cavity in a housing. The vanes, which are long enough to extend slightly radially from the rotor by a distance beyond the interior surface of the cavity, bend in response to the cyclical variation between the rotor and the oval cavity in order to define four chambers and form a sliding seal with the interior surface. As the vanes revolve with the rotating rotor, the volumes of these four chambers vary cyclically and enable the four phases of an approximate Otto Cycle. The engine is more efficient than a conventional, reciprocating engine because the expansion force of the combustion gas acts directly on the rotating element with a minimum of moving parts.

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: A sail-type windmill wheel is provided in which the area of the wheel facing into the wind is adjusted by an automatic variation of the blade angle of the sails. The wind wheel comprises a hub (22) with a plurality of radially extending spars (18), substantially triangular sails (10) secured along one edge to said arms, the clew of said sails secured through a sheeting cable (24) to drawbar extension springs (28), and the drawbar extension springs secured to the tip of the next adjacent arm. During high wind speeds the automatic blade angle adjustment reduces the frontal area of the wind wheel with a corresponding reduction in the force of the wind upon the wheel. During normal working wind speeds the present invention maintains the sails within an optimum blade angle range for extracting energy from the wind.

Abstract: A marine propeller includes a hub defining an axial direction of the propeller, a plurality of adjustable propeller blades disposed around the hub, and a blade setting adjusting arrangement. Each blade includes a blade-part and a root-part, the root-part being mounted in the hub and being turnable about an axis that defines an angle with the axial direction of the propeller.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine rotor having self-fairing vanes wherein the center of pressure on each vane is coplanar with the journal for the hub of the turbine rotor.

Abstract: A pump has a rotor with two or more flexible vanes forming one or more compartments between adjacent vanes. The rotor is mounted offset relative to a rotor sleeve such that the volume of the compartments varies as the rotor rotates in the sleeve. Incoming fluid is supplied to the compartments along a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the vanes. Fluid is discharged from the compartments through discharge slots in the sleeve leading into a discharge outlet which is tangential relative to the plane of rotation of the vanes. Each flexible vane is formed from at least two thin leaf springs separated by a layer of laminate and joined to a shoe which engages the inner surface of the sleeve as the rotor rotates. The pump in accordance with the present invention is energy efficient and uses significantly less power than comparable known devices.

Abstract: A flexible impeller has an insert design incorporating a threaded end within its insert that cooperates with a threaded removal tool for jacking the impeller from the shaft by rotation of the threaded removal tool.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elongate style portable fan device having an elongate body portion including a fan device mounted on the top end of the body portion. The elongate body portion is designed to lay flat on an underlying flat surface in a manner which maintains the fan device portion at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the central horizontal axis of the elongate body portion such that the fan blades of the fan device are free to rotate above the underlying flat surface when in the fan activated mode. The elongate body portion includes stop means for providing a resting stop position for the elongate body portion in order to permit the fan blades of the fan device to rotate freely when in the resting position and in the fan activation mode while laying on a flat underlying surface. Switch means is provided to the device for alternating between a fan activation and a fan deactivation mode.

Abstract: Co-molded fan vanes on a propeller. The vanes provide a soft, flexible material guard along the leading edge of each vane. This obviates the use of a propeller edge guard without concern for injury.

Abstract: A fluid moving device (100) includes a rotatable assembly (101), and a plurality of fan blades (102-04) disposed circumferentially around and extending outward from rotatable assembly (101), at least one of plurality of fan blades (102-04) includes shape memory alloy. The fan blade which includes shape memory alloy transforms into a predetermined shape memory state when the fan blade experiences a predetermined temperature which may be as a result of a predetermined temperature of surrounding fluid passing over fan blades (102-04) when rotation of rotatable assembly (101) is at a given speed. The shape memory state increases or decreases volume flow of surrounding fluid when rotatable assembly (101) is rotating at substantially a constant speed. The speed is substantially constant which limits noise generated from fluid moving (100) device while volume flow rate of the fluid moving device is being changed.

Abstract: An impeller having flexible impeller blades with a stiffness which allows the blades to flex into a backward-curved impeller configuration at the maximum intended rotational speed of operation, and to return to a more radial blade configuration at lower rotational speeds, thereby enabling efficient operation at a broad range of rotational speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving wind turbine performance by alleviating loads and controlling the rotor. The invention employs the use of a passively adaptive blade that senses the wind velocity or rotational speed, and accordingly modifies its aerodynamic configuration. The invention exploits the load mitigation prospects of a blade that twists toward feather as it bends. The invention includes passively adaptive wind turbine rotors or blades with currently preferred power control features. The apparatus is a composite fiber horizontal axis wind-turbine blade, in which a substantial majority of fibers in the blade skin are inclined at angles of between 15 and 30 degrees to the axis of the blade, to produces passive adaptive aeroelastic tailoring (bend-twist coupling) to alleviate loading without unduly jeopardizing performance.