Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to turbulence inducing mechanisms applied to portions of wind turbine blades and methods for increased power production using turbulence inducing mechanisms. Embodiments provide methods and mechanisms for increasing the range of optimal wind performance for wind turbines and provide for increasing the maximum energy producing capacity of wind turbines at a given wind speed. Some embodiments have a rotor blade that includes a capture side and a drag side. The blade also includes a film disposed over at least a portion of only the drag side of the blade. The film comprises a conformable sheet material with a plurality of perforations therethrough which are configured to induce turbulence on a fluid flowing thereover. The turbulence inducing film reduces the drag of the blade and consequently increases the blade's rotational speed at a given wind speed, which increases the turbine's power production and optimal performance range.

Abstract: A vehicle with a drag-reducing outer surface. A method of reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes the steps of: providing an outer surface on a body of the vehicle, with the outer surface including spaced apart turbulence-inducing structures thereon. The structures cause boundary layer separation to be delayed along a length of the body, thereby reducing a drag coefficient of the body. A vehicle wrapping product for reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes an outer surface for applying onto an opaque portion of a body of the vehicle. The outer surface includes a plurality of structures which induce turbulence and thereby delay separation of a boundary layer along a length of the body, to thereby reduce a drag coefficient of the body.

Abstract: A vehicle with a drag-reducing outer surface. A method of reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes the steps of: providing an outer surface on a body of the vehicle, with the outer surface including spaced apart turbulence-inducing structures thereon. The structures cause boundary layer separation to be delayed along a length of the body, thereby reducing a drag coefficient of the body. A vehicle wrapping product for reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes an outer surface for applying onto an opaque portion of a body of the vehicle. The outer surface includes a plurality of structures which induce turbulence and thereby delay separation of a boundary layer along a length of the body, to thereby reduce a drag coefficient of the body.