Abstract: Operations of a turbine to generate energy from a relatively slow fluid flow, such as wind and water, are described. The turbine has a plurality of foils rotating about a central axis at a rotational velocity, each of the foils having a length and a foil axis parallel to the length and the central axis with each of the foils rotatable about its foil axis. From determinations of a velocity of the fluid flow, and angular location of each foil and the rotational velocity about the central axis, an attack angle of each foil is controlled with respect to the direction of fluid flow about the foil axis responsive to the velocity of the fluid flow, the angular location of the foil and the rotational velocity as the foil rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A lighting subsystem and a light bar structure upon which the lighting subsystem is mounted. The lighting subsystem has a display that incorporates both warning signal lights and a programmable message display and is configured to enable the positioning of the lighting subsystem in multiple positions, including a low-profile position and a higher profile position. In one embodiment, the lighting subsystem utilizes an LED matrix display which includes interleaved message-display LEDs and warning-signal LEDs. The system may be positioned at an aerodynamic pursuit angle, and the LEDs may be oriented to maximize forward intensity of the emitted light in the pursuit position. In the low-profile position, the lighting subsystem may be retracted into a recessed compartment in the roof of an emergency vehicle. The message display may be configured to display preprogrammed messages or user-programmed messages, and may be operable by a user outside the vehicle using a remote control.

Abstract: Operations of a turbine to generate energy from a relatively slow fluid flow, such as wind and water, are described. The turbine has a plurality of foils rotating about a central axis at a rotational velocity, each of the foils having a length and a foil axis parallel to the length and the central axis with each of the foils rotatable about its foil axis. From determinations of a velocity of the fluid flow, and angular location of each foil and the rotational velocity about the central axis, an attack angle of each foil is controlled with respect to the direction of fluid flow about the foil axis responsive to the velocity of the fluid flow, the angular location of the foil and the rotational velocity as the foil rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A high-efficiency turbine generates energy from a fluid flow, such as wind or water currents. The turbine has a central axis with a plurality of foils rotatable about the central axis in a general paddlewheel arrangement. Each of the foils has a foil axis parallel to the length of the foil and the central axis, and is rotatable about its foil axis. During operation of the turbine, each foil assumes an attack angle to the direction of the fluid flow with the attack angle dynamically controlled about the foil axis as the foil rotates about the central axis so as to maximize the foil's moment about the central axis.