Abstract: Various types of forced induction systems are known for various types of internal combustions engines, including turbochargers and superchargers typically used in cars. The present system includes a first compressor 2 configured to produce a first stream of gas 3, an air multiplier 4 arranged to receive the first stream of gas 3 and eject the first stream of gas 3 over a Coanda surface, the air multiplier 4 configured to entrain ambient air 5 with the ejected first stream of gas to produce a second stream of gas 8, and a second compressor 9 arranged to receive the second stream of gas 8, and configured to compress the second stream of gas 8 for supply to an internal combustion engine. In this way, a mass of air being introduced into an internal combustion engine can be increased, by virtue of the air multiplier 4 upstream of the second compressor 9.

Abstract: An active drag-reduction system has first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system injects relatively higher pressure air or relatively higher speed air into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air or relatively lower speed air into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

Abstract: An active drag-reduction system has first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system injects relatively higher pressure air or relatively higher speed air into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air or relatively lower speed air into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

Abstract: The action of braking generates massive amounts of heat. It is known to install brake ducts 9, which channel air from the front of the vehicle to the brake discs 17. The air introduced by the brake ducts 9 is at an ambient temperature, much cooler than the brakes, and the airflow is closer to laminar (rather than turbulent) and continuously moves the hotter air away. This allows the brakes to shed heat at a faster rate and dramatically lowers the average operating temperature. The present invention provides a vortex tube 3 for supplying a stream of air 5 at a temperature substantially different from ambient temperature into brake ducts 9 to improve efficiency of the brake ducts 9.

Abstract: An active drag-reduction system has first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system injects relatively higher pressure air or relatively higher speed air into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air or relatively lower speed air into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

Abstract: The blades of conventional wind turbines almost always have adjustable pitch; that is, they can be pivoted about their length in order to change the angle of attack of the blades to the wind. This is necessary, because the effective angle of attack varies with both wind speed and rotational speed. In particular, in extremely high wind speeds, the blades can be ‘feathered’ to reduce the amount of torque being imparted to the turbine. The present invention provides a wind turbine in which pressurised air may be conveyed to air outlets 21 on the blades 1. In this way, the aerodynamic behaviour of the blade 1 may be controlled, effectively feathering the blade without needing a robust mechanical system for pivoting the blade.

Abstract: There is provided an active drag-reduction system having first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system may inject relatively higher pressure air (or relatively higher speed air) into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air (or relatively lower speed air) into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

Abstract: The action of braking generates massive amounts of heat. It is known to install brake ducts 9, which channel air from the front of the vehicle to the brake discs 17. The air introduced by the brake ducts 9 is at an ambient temperature, much cooler than the brakes, and the airflow is closer to laminar (rather than turbulent) and continuously moves the hotter air away. This allows the brakes to shed heat at a faster rate and dramatically lowers the average operating temperature. The present invention provides a vortex tube 3 for supplying a stream of air 5 at a temperature substantially different from ambient temperature into brake ducts 9 to improve efficiency of the brake ducts 9.

Abstract: One of the major causes of drag in vehicles is due to the low pressure and/or turbulent vortex region behind the vehicle. In some vehicles multiple smaller vortices may form around the vehicle, and elimination of these through shaping of bodywork of vehicles is common practice to increase efficiency of the vehicle. A vehicle is provided configured such that, when moving at a speed above a predetermined threshold speed, at least one turbulent and/or low pressure region (190) is formed adjacent to the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: at least one propelling nozzle (200) located adjacent to the at least one region; and a system for providing gas to the at least one nozzle (200) for expulsion into the at least one region (190).

Abstract: There is provided an active drag-reduction system having first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system may inject relatively higher pressure air (or relatively higher speed air) into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air (or relatively lower speed air) into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

Abstract: One of the major causes of drag in vehicles is due to the low pressure and/or turbulent vortex region behind the vehicle. In some vehicles multiple smaller vortices may form around the vehicle, and elimination of these through shaping of bodywork of vehicles is common practice to increase efficiency of the vehicle. A vehicle is provided configured such that, when moving at a speed above a predetermined threshold speed, at least one turbulent and/or low pressure region (190) is formed adjacent to the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: at least one propelling nozzle (200) located adjacent to the at least one region; and a system for providing gas to the at least one nozzle (200) for expulsion into the at least one region (190).