Abstract: A fluid flow turbine blade assembly for a turbine rotor includes a blade and a deflector extending spanwise along at least a portion of the blade. At least a portion of an upstream surface of the deflector, along at least a portion of a span of the deflector, has a concave shape in a chordwise direction such that at least a portion of a chord line between leading and trailing edges of the deflector is disposed outside a profile defined between the upstream surface and a downstream surface of the deflector. The deflector has a substantially uniform thickness or a chord-wise varying thickness between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The deflector alters fluid flow over the blade so as to increase the blade's contribution to global torque generated by the assembly so that, with the deflector's torque contribution, the global torque of the assembly is greater than the global torque that would be generated by the blade alone without the benefit of the deflector.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion system includes hubs that are rotatable with respect to a hub carrier and support one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and a track orientation control mechanism (“TOCM”) for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions. Each ECP has opposed surfaces and leading and trailing edges and may have one or more lips projecting from one of the opposed surfaces, wherein the one or more lips comprise at least an inboard end lip extending transversely from an inboard end of the plate. Articulation of each ECP is controlled by a follower within a track that is rotatable with respect to the hub carrier, and service lines pass through a chase or bore passing through the hub carrier to bring power and/or control signals to the TOCM for effecting controlled, powered rotation of the track.

Abstract: A fluid flow turbine blade assembly for a turbine rotor includes a blade and a deflector extending spanwise along at least a portion of the blade. At least a portion of an upstream surface of the deflector, along at least a portion of a span of the deflector, has a concave shape in a chordwise direction such that at least a portion of a chord line between leading and trailing edges of the deflector is disposed outside a profile defined between the upstream surface and a downstream surface of the deflector. The deflector has a substantially uniform thickness or a chord-wise varying thickness between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The deflector alters fluid flow over the blade so as to increase the blade's contribution to global torque generated by the assembly so that, with the deflector's torque contribution, the global torque of the assembly is greater than the global torque that would be generated by the blade alone without the benefit of the deflector.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy conversion system comprises one or more hubs which rotate about a central hub carrier, each including one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”). An articulation control system rotates each ECP independently of all others to control its orientation with respect to the fluid flow direction between an orientation of 90° perpendicular to the fluid flow, while traveling in the direction of the flow and 0° minimal drag parallel position to the flow, while traveling in the direction against the flow or blocked from it. Each hub can be operably coupled to another hub to form one or more counter-rotating hub and ECP assemblies whereby the mechanical energy is transferred through the hubs, to one or more clutch/gearbox/generator/pump assemblies thereby permitting such assemblies to be land-based when the system is air-powered, and above or near the surface, when the system is water-powered.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion system includes hubs that are rotatable with respect to a hub carrier and support one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and a track orientation control mechanism (“TOCM”) for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions. Each ECP has opposed surfaces and leading and trailing edges and may have one or more lips projecting from one of the opposed surfaces, wherein the one or more lips comprise at least an inboard end lip extending transversely from an inboard end of the plate. Articulation of each ECP is controlled by a follower within a track that is rotatable with respect to the hub carrier, and service lines pass through a chase or bore passing through the hub carrier to bring power and/or control signals to the TOCM for effecting controlled, powered rotation of the track.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion includes rotatable hubs supporting one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and systems and components for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions thereby comprising an energy conversion regulation method. Separator plates for controlling fluid flow with respect to each ECP may be employed above and below the hub and may also be directionally altered in response to operating conditions and included within the energy conversion method.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion includes rotatable hubs supporting one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and systems and components for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions thereby comprising an energy conversion regulation method. Separator plates for controlling fluid flow with respect to each ECP may be employed above and below the hub and may also be directionally altered in response to operating conditions and included within the energy conversion method.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy conversion system comprises one or more hubs which rotate about a central hub carrier, each including one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”). An articulation control system rotates each ECP independently of all others to control its orientation with respect to the fluid flow direction between an orientation of 90° perpendicular to the fluid flow, while traveling in the direction of the flow and 0° minimal drag parallel position to the flow, while traveling in the direction against the flow or blocked from it. Each hub can be operably coupled to another hub to form one or more counter-rotating hub and ECP assemblies whereby the mechanical energy is transferred through the hubs, to one or more clutch/gearbox/generator/pump assemblies thereby permitting such assemblies to be land-based when the system is air-powered, and above or near the surface, when the system is water-powered.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy conversion system comprises one or more hubs which rotate about a central hub carrier, each including one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”). An articulation control system rotates each ECP independently of all others to control its orientation with respect to the fluid flow direction between an orientation of 90° perpendicular to the fluid flow, while traveling in the direction of the flow and 0° minimal drag parallel position to the flow, while traveling in the direction against the flow or blocked from it. Each hub can be operably coupled to another hub to form one or more counter-rotating hub and ECP assemblies whereby the mechanical energy is transferred through the hubs, to one or more clutch/gearbox/generator/pump assemblies thereby permitting such assemblies to be land-based when the system is air-powered, and above or near the surface, when the system is water-powered.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy conversion system comprises one or more hubs which rotate about a central hub carrier, each including one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”). An articulation control system rotates each ECP independently of all others to control its orientation with respect to the fluid flow direction between an orientation of 90° perpendicular to the fluid flow, while traveling in the direction of the flow and 0° minimal drag parallel position to the flow, while traveling in the direction against the flow or blocked from it. Each hub can be operably coupled to another hub to form one or more counter-rotating hub and ECP assemblies whereby the mechanical energy is transferred through the hubs, to one or more clutch/gearbox/generator/pump assemblies thereby permitting such assemblies to be land-based when the system is air-powered, and above or near the surface, when the system is water-powered.

Abstract: A variable diameter, speed responsive pulley of extremely compact, simple design is disclosed for use in combination with a variable diameter, tension operated pulley of substantially identical design to provide a controlled speed, variable ratio accessory drive. The speed responsive pulley is formed by a pair of pulley members mounted for relative axial movement on a rotatable central hub wherein each pulley member includes inner and outer frusto-conical surfaces cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the other pulley member to form belt engaging and centrifugal force receiving surfaces, respectively. In one embodiment the speed responsive pulley includes rigid inertial mass members for creating the centrifugal force necessary for operating the pulley. In another embodiment the centrifugal force is developed by an inertial mass having fluid properties.