Abstract: The flat-plate type wind turbine rotor blade comprises a rigid spoke having a single thin flexiblie skin associated therewith. The skin is formed to provide a delta-wing and a flap extension. The delta-wing and the flap extension are angularly disposed at about 25.degree. to each other. The spoke lies along the junction of the delta-wing and the flap extension. A substantially rigid peripheral member extends along the margin of the skin. The peripheral member and the spoke are joined to provide a frame to which the skin is secured. Arrays of parallel reinforcing rib members extend between the spoke and the peripheral member. These rib members are mounted on the pressure surface of the skin. The ribs on the delta-wing are positioned at an angle of about 60.degree. from the axis of the spoke; the ribs on the flap extension are positioned at an angle of about 75.degree. from said axis. They therefore coincide with the main flow paths of the air flow over the blade surface.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for connecting the output shaft of a wind turbine with a load rod, such as the rod of a downhole pump. The mechanism includes a drive train which converts the rotating output of the shaft to a variable amplitude reciprocating output having a frequency varying with the speed of the shaft. A control assembly adjusts the drive train to maintain the amplitude of the reciprocating output proportional with the square of the wind velocity.

Abstract: A thrust augmenting fluid rectifier for a pulsed combustor comprising ducting having a converging inlet section, a flow redirecting section and a diffuser section, the inlet of the ducting being spaced upstream from the combustor inlet to define a thrust augmentor utilizing the backflow from the combustor inlet as primary fluid. In one embodiment the rectifier ducting extends rearwardly to a chamber that combines it with the combustor outlet. Substantial pressure gain is obtainable making the invention suitable for gas turbine applications.