Abstract: A power generating system wherein a turbine (34) is mounted on top of a tower (30) or tethered underwater. The turbine (34) includes a rotor having a main blade (20) connected to a rotor hub (40) and an extender blade tip (22, 22?) attached to the main blade (20). During manufacture, the optimum energy-capture is determined using site-specific conditions of one or more of air density, wind speed, extreme wind, wind shear, noise and turbulence intensity. The extender blade tip (22, 22?) is chosen from a number of extender blade tips having a length that is the closest to the determined optimum energy-capture. The chosen extender blade tip is attached to the main blade either during manufacture or on-site. Alternatively, a one piece blade is produced based on information determined from the site specific conditions. The tip of such one piece blade can be customized based on the information obtained.

Abstract: A modular rotor blade for a power generating turbine allows simple replacement of individual rotor blade sections in case of damage to or malfunction of a section. The modular rotor blade includes at least two rotor blade sections, wherein each rotor blade section includes at least one connecting part having at least one conical opening. The connecting parts of adjacent rotor blade sections rest against each other such that the conical openings of the connecting parts are aligned with each other and form a continuous conical connecting opening. Receiving elements for receiving tensioning elements are arranged at the smaller diameter end of the conical connecting opening. A conical bolt corresponding to the continuous conical connecting opening is arranged therein, and at least one tensioning element passes through the conical bolt and tensions the conical bolt against the receiving element.

Abstract: A straddle vehicle includes an expandable bus topology to operate one or more peripheral devices from a single location on the straddle vehicle, the peripheral devices being physically distributed about the straddle vehicle. The topology includes a bus trunk and a main hub controller. The main hub controller attaches directly to the peripheral devices and/or other bus trunks. Additional peripheral devices attach to the main hub or other controllers. A user interface module operates from a single location on the handlebar as the sole user controller for the peripheral devices. For easy operation, the module includes a four-way rocker and other switches manipulated by a user's thumb. Preferably, the bus topology operates according to a controller area network (CAN) protocol. Peripheral devices include cell phones, CD players, MP3 players, radar detectors, navigation devices and radios, such as AM, FM, XM, WB, GMRS or CB. Methods for control are also described.