Abstract: The present invention provides a system for a contra rotor wind turbine system comprising of dual aerodynamic rotors composed of plurality of either radially extended blades or axially extended helically contoured blades. The blades on the upwind or the outer rotor are set to spin in the first direction about the outer shaft, while the blades on the downwind or inner rotor are set to spin in a second direction about the co-axially mounted center shaft. Each rotor drives a digitally controllable positive displacement pump unit to convert the kinetic energy of the rotor to the fluidic potential energy. The potential energy of each rotor is compounded to achieve net potential energy. The net potential energy is stored in a fluidic reservoir and used by a hydraulic motor to drive an electrical generator. The hydraulic pump and the motor units are provided to maintain uniform rotational speed and torque.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for an energy efficient contra rotor wind turbines comprises of two dual aerodynamic rotors composed of plurality of either radially extended blades or axially extended helically contoured blades. The blades on the upwind or outer rotor are set to spin in the first direction about the outer shaft, while the blades on the downwind or inner rotor are set to spin in a second direction about the co-axially mounted center shaft. Each rotor drives a digitally controllable positive displacement pump to convert the kinetic energy of the rotor to the potential energy. The potential energy of each rotor is compounded to achieve net potential energy. The net potential energy is stored in a reservoir and used by a hydraulic motor to drive an electrical generator. The hydraulic pump and the motor units are provided to maintain the motor rotational speed and torque.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for an energy efficient contra rotor wind turbines. The system comprises two dual aerodynamic rotors composed of plurality of helically contoured blades. The blades on the outer rotor are set to spin in the first direction about the outer shaft, while the blades on the inner rotor are set to spin in a second direction about the co-axially mounted inner shaft. The inner shaft drives the magnetic field of a generator; the outer rotor drives the wound armature of the generator. Additionally the optimal blade setting can be done by means of the tip speed selection and requiring no blade pitching and no yawing requirement and also control the rotors speeds whenever their rotational speeds exceed the design limits Energy extraction can be enhanced by means of coaxially ducted flow concept in horizontal axis wind turbines.

Abstract: The present invention is for an apparatus and method for a passive pitchable device for wind turbines comprising: a camshaft having cam grooves engraved; a cylindrical shell; an axial compression spring; said blade assembly and said cylindrical shell are fastened together by screws; a plurality of balls that roll along said cam grooves, and convert the axial displacement to rotation or pitch angle; and wherein the passive pitchable device ensures said blades are at the optimum angle of incidence in the stationary position; as the rotor turns, the net force between centrifugal force on said blade and the resistant force from said compression spring causes the device to move axially outward while rotating to adjust the pitch of the rotor blade so that angle of incidence is optimal for the given wind speed; as the wind speed exceeds the design speed and the centrifugal force on the rotor blade continues to increase, the device continues the move axially outward while rotating in the opposite direction as to adju

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus of a contra rotating generator. The contra rotating generator comprises a cylindrical armature supported on an inner shaft. The inner shaft rotates in a first direction. A cylindrical magnetic field rotor is supported on an outer shaft. The outer shaft is oriented coaxially to the inner shaft. The outer shaft contra rotates opposite to the first direction. A plurality of cam followers maintains uniform air gap between outer surface of the cylindrical armature and inner surface of the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. The uniform air gap prevents mechanical contact between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. A sprag clutch prevents unidirectional rotation of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The contra rotation between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor increases relative magnetic flux speed for generating electrical power at low speeds of operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus of a contra rotating generator. The contra rotating generator comprises a cylindrical armature supported on an inner shaft. The inner shaft rotates in a first direction. A cylindrical magnetic field rotor is supported on an outer shaft. The outer shaft is oriented coaxially to the inner shaft. The outer shaft contra rotates opposite to the first direction. A plurality of cam followers maintains uniform air gap between outer surface of the cylindrical armature and inner surface of the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. The uniform air gap prevents mechanical contact between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. A sprag clutch prevents unidirectional rotation of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The contra rotation between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor increases relative magnetic flux speed for generating electrical power at low speeds of operation.

Abstract: The present invention is for an apparatus and method for a passive pitchable device for wind turbines comprising: a camshaft having cam grooves engraved; a cylindrical shell; an axial compression spring; said blade assembly and said cylindrical shell are fastened together by screws; a plurality of balls that roll along said cam grooves, and convert the axial displacement to rotation or pitch angle; and wherein the passive pitchable device ensures said blades are at the optimum angle of incidence in the stationary position; as the rotor turns, the net force between centrifugal force on said blade and the resistant force from said compression spring causes the device to move axially outward while rotating to adjust the pitch of the rotor blade so that angle of incidence is optimal for the given wind speed; as the wind speed exceeds the design speed and the centrifugal force on the rotor blade continues to increase, the device continues the move axially outward while rotating in the opposite direction as to adju

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the design and fabrication of a micro solar electric power generating apparatus and, more particularly, a method of using microsolar thermal jets to produce electrical power by economical means for residential and commercial buildings. A simple rotary jet engine has been developed to drive an electrical generator. A hybrid solar concentrator that combines the benefit of both parabolic dish and trough has been used to raise the enthalpy of the working fluid without having end thermal flux leakage that is common to the conventional troughs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the design of a novel hybrid electric vehicle and, more particularly, to a method of using micro-thrust engines to produce electrical power by fuel-efficient means. A combination of a deep cycle battery and micro-thrust engines powered generator system are used to provide needed propulsion power. Water/steam is used to cool the combustion chamber of said engines thereby regeneratively extracting heat of rejection to super heat the steam. The super heated steam is further injected into the combustion chamber to extract additional energy. Thus, in normal driving conditions, power is drawn from the battery, while during acceleration and uphill driving, steam is used instead of fuel thereby economizing on fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wind farm power production using hybrid wind turbine apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating rotors in tandem. An upright mast supports bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly. A first set of rotor is mounted on the windward end of the generator shaft, while the second rotor is mounted on the downwind side of the generator shaft. Three alternate approaches are used to increase power production of a wind farm. One approach uses two turbines assembled in tandem. The second approach uses a conventional high-speed induction generator powered by tandemly mounted contra rotating rotors using suitably designed gearboxes. The third approach uses a specially designed low speed direct drive induction generator powered by tandemly mounted contra rotating rotors without the need of gearboxes. Thus, contra rotating wind turbines can be used to generate more electrical energy and revenue from the same wind farms.

Abstract: Hybrid wind turbine apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating rotors having micro thrusters fitted at tip of each blade of the rotors. An upright mast supports bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly having tandemly mounted dual alternators. A first set of rotor is mounted on the windward alternator shaft, while the second rotor is mounted on the downwind rotor shaft. A heat exchanger having a centrifugal fan is provided to circulate ambient air to cool alternator. The hot air is directed to the combustion chamber of the thruster by means of an air duct in the blades. Natural gas or liquid fuel is also conveyed from a stationary platform to a rotating frame by means of a rotary fluid coupler. When wind speed is low, fuel will be injected into the combustion chamber and burned with large mass of air. The hot gas is expanded in an exist nozzle to provide thrust to assist wind power.

Abstract: Hybrid wind turbine apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating rotors having micro thrusters fitted at tip of each blade of the rotors. An upright mast supports bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly having tandemly mounted dual alternators. A first set of rotor is mounted on the windward alternator shaft, while the second rotor is mounted on the downwind rotor shaft. A heat exchanger having a centrifugal fan is provided to circulate ambient air to cool alternator. The hot air is directed to the combustion chamber of the thruster by means of an air duct in the blades. Natural gas or liquid fuel is also conveyed from a stationary platform to a rotating frame by means of a rotary fluid coupler. When wind speed is low, fuel will be injected into the combustion chamber and burned with large mass of air. The hot gas is expanded in an exist nozzle to provide thrust to assist wind power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Active Control Surface Modal (ACSM) device that generates unsteady aerodynamic damping to alleviate aeroelastic structural instability, vibration and dynamic loads. An active control surface modal deformation is created by means of a pair of antagonistically activated actuators. Since the masses of upper and lower surface skins are lighter, the modal deformations can be activated at high frequencies that can encompass wide band spectrum of buffet, gust and flutter problem areas. An independent dosed loop active control system is used to activate the ACSM modes. Measured acceleration sensors are used as the feedback signals to compute the coefficients of the control law that is designed to suppress the dynamic environments such as buffet, gust and flutter. Then a computerized control system algorithm outputs a series of voltage signals that pass through power amplifiers to activate the actuators.

Abstract: Wind turbine apparatus includes an upright mast with support bearings underlying and rotatably supporting a hub assembly having inner and outer coaxial shafts telescopically related but radially spaced to permit independent rotation about a generally horizontal axis. An armature winding is provided on the outer shaft and a plurality of dielectrically separated magnets are mounted on the inner shaft at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations. A first set of rotor blades is mounted on the inner shaft at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations, the rotor blades extending radially away from the axis of rotation and positioned on the inner shaft for rotating the inner shaft in a first direction about the axis of rotation when subjected to wind-induced air flow. A second set of rotor blades is similarly mounted on the outer shaft axially spaced from the first set of rotor blades for rotating the outer shaft about the axis of rotation in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monolithic composite wing without using mechanical fasteners is described. The process begins with the formation of a center wing box in combination with a pair of spars, riblets and a pair of skin-molds including the wrapping and binding of the box by means of resin impregnated composite tapes. Next, additional cells are adjoined contiguously on either side of the current framework and an overlap wrapping and bonding process is continued around the current framework. The overlap wrapping and binding procedure provides increased torsion stiffness and reduced structural weight. All cells up to the leading and trailing edges will be included in the assembly process. Conduits to convey fuel, hydraulic fluid and electrical wiring will also be installed in designated cells. Finally, the completed wing will be cured in an autoclave under uniform pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A jet assisted counter rotating wind turbine comprising:a pair of counter rotating rotors to amplify the relative velocity of the magnetic flux in the air gap of an alternator,a dual purpose co-axial device that serves the role of an alternator to generate electricity as well as a torque transmission means,an axial compressor to energize the low energy air mass taken from the downstream wake region, andan actively controlled piezoelectric actuator device to deform the trailing edge section to maintain optimum air load distribution at all wind speeds without causing any structural damage in gusty environment, has been conceived and is now reduced to practice.The proposed wind turbine achieves a substantially high value of energy efficiency factor, while theoretically possible factor is about 69 per cent. Hence, the turbine unit can be built using smaller and lighter rotors in contrast to those of prior art.

Abstract: A flight control system comprises trailing edge airfoil members pivotally mounted at the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft and selectively movable on a laterally extending axis between raised and lowered positions for imparting rolling motion to the aircraft. Leading edge airfoil members mounted adjacent the leading edge on each of the wings are movable transversely of the leading edge between a retracted position generally coextensive with the leading edge and an extended position protruding from the leading edge for imparting countervailing aerodynamic forces on the wings to counteract the effects of aeroelastic wing deformation caused in response to operation of the trailing edge airfoil members by increasing the angle of attack of the wing and lift producing surface area of the wing. A pair of actuator mechanisms are mounted on a wing box member at laterally spaced locations for moving the leading edge airfoil members between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An airfoil is provided with a seamless control surface which comprises upper and lower skins fixed to a spanwise extending spar and extending chordwise to a trailing edge and having an outer surface which is substantially a continuation of the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. A joint mechanism proximately attaches together the bailing edges of the upper and lower skins while permitting relative chordwise movement therebetween. Actuating devices are operable for selectively altering the curvature of the upper and lower skins to cause deflection of the seamless control surface between an extreme raised position through a neutral position to an extreme lowered position. In this manner, the outer surface curvature of the airfoil and of the seamless control surface is smooth and continuous over substantially the entirety thereof at all positions of the seamless control surface. The actuating devices may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or solid state and the upper and lower skins may be of composite material.