Abstract: There is provided a wind turbine apparatus which comprises blades having an aerofoil profile. The apparatus is arranged to start up even in light wind conditions and to act as a lift type device at higher rotational speeds. The apparatus may comprise wind deflectors to concentrate wind through the apparatus. Further, the blades may be orientated at less than 90° to a radius line which leads to improved performance. Still further, the apparatus may be arranged to heat water by means of solar energy.

Abstract: A footwear sole structure has a suspended elastomer web or mesh (1) support for a foot of a wearer of the footwear. A gap or space under the web/mesh allows it to flex down e.g. towards the outsole (3) or the ground. The web or mesh can be secured to a peripheral portion of the sole base by projections or loops (5) on the web or mesh. The web or mesh can be a one piece or multi part moulded component. The web or mesh can provide a peripheral zone around a central zone.

Abstract: A seat (10, 20, 30, 70, 80, 90, 110) of a manual or powered ride on vehicle, the seat including at least one resilient elastomeric web seat portion (4, 24, 34, 78, 94, 114) suspended in tension between first (5, 25, 79a,119) and second (6, 26, 78, 79b, 87,118) supports, the suspended web(s) supporting a rider when sat on by the rider with the elastomeric web(s) resiliently stretching with increasing reactive tension under rider weight to react rider weight and give elastomeric tension seat support to the rider.

Abstract: A seat (10, 20, 30, 70, 80, 90, 110) of a manual or powered ride on vehicle, the seat including at least one resilient elastomeric web seat portion (4, 24, 34, 78, 94, 114) suspended in tension between first (5, 25, 79a,119) and second (6, 26, 78, 79b, 87,118) supports, the suspended web(s) supporting a rider when sat on by the rider with the elastomeric web(s) resiliently stretching with increasing reactive tension under rider weight to react rider weight and give elastomeric tension seat support to the rider.

Abstract: An evaporation system and method having at least one fan operatively connected to drive means to effect fan rotation, at least one flow path to supply liquid to at least one nozzle to spray a mist of the liquid under centrifugal pressure. Velocity differential between the rotating nozzle(s) and airflow created by the at least one fan provides evaporation of the sprayed liquid. Inlet vanes direct airflow in a direction contra to fan rotation to increase velocity differential. The nozzles can be on fan blades and/or a central disc/hub. The method and system can be used for air conditioning, snow making, desalination or in industrial or commercial evaporators.

Abstract: A wind turbine arranged to operate in confined area is disclosed. The wind turbine is constrained within two axially displaced end plates and diametrically opposed wind barriers. The wind barriers are parallel to the axis and extend between end plates. The wind barriers each having an axially extending inner edge radially spaced from an outer swept surface of the turbine blades by less than 20% of the turbine radius. In another embodiment, there is disclosed a 2-dimensional array of wind turbines, with wind barriers being arranged between parallel axes.

Abstract: A wind turbine arranged to operate in confined area is disclosed. The wind turbine is constrained within two axially displaced end plates and diametrically opposed wind barriers. The wind barriers are parallel to the axis and extend between end plates. The wind barriers each having an axially extending inner edge radially spaced from an outer swept surface of the turbine blades by less than 20% of the turbine radius. In another embodiment, there is disclosed a 2-dimensional array of wind turbines, with wind barriers being arranged between parallel axes.

Abstract: There is provided a wind turbine apparatus which comprises blades having an aerofoil profile. The apparatus is arranged to start up even in light wind conditions and to act as a lift type device at higher rotational speeds. The apparatus may comprise wind deflectors to concentrate wind through the apparatus. Further, the blades may be orientated at less than 90° to a radius line which leads to improved performance. Still further, the apparatus may be arranged to heat water by means of solar energy.

Abstract: An all-terrain board (10, 50) ridden by a rider (18) standing on the board (10, 50) is provided with a braking member which can be engaged by a leg of the rider (18) and moved into braking engagement with a wheel (14, 52). The braking engagement may be directly onto a tyre (15) of the wheel (14). Alternatively, the braking engagement may be indirectly onto a wheel (52) through a linkage connecting the brake (60) to a brake mechanism (74) acting on a rim (56) of the wheel (52).

Abstract: An all-terrain board (10, 50) ridden by a rider (18) standing on the board (10, 50) is provided with a braking member which can be engaged by a leg of the rider (18) and moved into braking engagement with a wheel (14, 52). The braking engagement may be directly onto a tyre (15) of the wheel (14). Alternatively, the braking engagement may be indirectly onto a wheel (52) through a linkage connecting the brake (60) to a brake mechanism (74) acting on a rim (56) of the wheel (52).

Abstract: An in-line skateboard (10) includes a frame (18) located between-aligned wheels (14, 16). The frame (18) is pivotally connected at (32) to a leading wheel (14) by means of a fork member (30) which extends from an axle (15) of the wheel (14). The pivotal connection (32) is disposed below the level of the axle (15).

Abstract: A thermoelectric system (10) having a thermoelectric module (12) having first and second opposed outer faces, that first outer face being relatively cool and the second outer face being relatively hot in use, a manifold (22) defining a volume being attached to at least one outer facts of the thermoelectric module (12), the manifold (22) having a liquid inlet (30) and a liquid outlet (32) so that, in use, liquid flows through the manifold (22) wherein the manifold (22) contains a non-static means such as an impeller (40) for increasing turbulence in the liquid flowing therethrough so as to increase efficiency of heat transfer between the thermoelectric module (12) and the liquid.

Abstract: A thermoelectric system (10) includes a thermoelectric module (12) and volume defining manifolds (14) attached to opposed faces of the module (12). Fluid pumps (44) circulate fluid from remote heat exchangers (46) and through the manifolds (14). The module (12) provides opposing hot and cold faces with respective manifolds (14) attached thereto. The cold faces and manifolds (14) are connected to a first fluid pump (44) and heat exchanger (46), and the hot faces and manifolds (14) are connected to a second fluid pump (44) and heat exchanger (46). One manifolds (14) include an outer wall spaced from the module (12) and side walls abutting the respective faces thereby defining an open face wherein the side walls and outer wall and outer face define a volume for receiving fluid.