Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one moveable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one moveable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the moveable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can have a cross section that includes first and second boundary layer collision points disposed along one side of the device structure with at least one of said first and second boundary layer collision points formed by the endless band. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

Abstract: Fluid interface device, such as may be used in association with airfoil assemblies, can include at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction relative to an associated relative fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the movable band is exposed to the associated relative fluid flow. Fluid interface devices can also include one or more lateral stabilization features operative to oppose lateral migration-inducing forces on the at least one movable band that may be experienced during use of the fluid interface device in the associated relative fluid flow. Airfoil assemblies including such fluid interface devices, as well as vehicles and a wind turbines including one or more of such airfoil assemblies are also included.

Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the movable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can also include an edge extension disposed along the leading edge of the device structure. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the movable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can also include an edge extension disposed along the leading edge of the device structure. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one moveable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one moveable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the moveable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can have a cross section that includes first and second boundary layer collision points disposed along one side of the device structure with at least one of said first and second boundary layer collision points formed by the endless band. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the movable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can also include an edge extension disposed along the leading edge of the device structure. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly (106) includes a turbine blade (124) and a moveable surface (126) supported for lateral displacement across the turbine blade. A wind turbine (100) includes a base structure (102), a turbine body (104) and a turbine blade assembly (106) operatively connected to the turbine body. A method (500) of operating a wind turbine is also included.

Abstract: An interactive sealing arrangement includes a sealing member operatively disposed across a gap between a first wall and a second wall that is moveable relative to the first wall and at least partially defines a storage chamber. A passage extends through the second wall and is in fluid communication with the sealing member such that a portion of an associated fluid at an elevated pressure within the storage chamber can interact with the sealing member and thereby urge at least a portion of the sealing member into abutting engagement with the first wall. A pressurized fluid storage system for containing a quantity of an associated fluid at an elevated pressure level that includes such an interactive sealing arrangement and a method of sealing are also included.

Abstract: A system for reducing the interaction between ice formed on a body of water and a structure located within the body of water includes at least one of a geothermal fluid transfer device or an ice breaking system. The geothermal fluid transfer device includes a water inlet, a water outlet and a heat exchanging portion fluidically disposed therebetween. An ice breaking system includes an ice breaking device and a power source. A method is also included.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly includes a turbine blade and a moveable surface supported for lateral displacement across the turbine blade. A wind turbine include a base structure, a turbine body and a turbine blade assembly operatively connected to the turbine body. A method of operating a wind turbine is also included.

Abstract: Wind turbines or generators are provided with a larger operating range, and made more efficient through the use of controlling the Bernoulli Effect on air foil blades. The control is effected through the use of rotating bands arranged over at least part of the surface of the blades. The direction of the moving bands is reversible so as to increase or decrease the lift provided by the Bernoulli Effect. In the present invention, greater torque can be developed on the wind generator without increasing the wind speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of ratios, products and non-linear functions of adsorption, emission or scattering of light as variables in standard regression and chemometric techniques to predict a characteristic or property of a solid or liquid. The use of one or more non-linear functions within a relationship between measured spectral properties and characteristic properties of solutions and solids provides an improved means to determine a property when the intensities represent or relate to components that are colinear or interelated due to restraints associated with composition, chemical processes, or molecular structure. The invention relates to the use of ratios of Raman peak intensities to predict the properties of a solution or a solid such as pulp that is processed with the solution. The intensity of the Raman shifted light is used to create Raman peak intensity ratios. These Raman intensities are related to the concentration of species dissolved in the liquid.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a computer-controlled moving band, typically on an airplane, to increase the apparent speed and therefore the lift of any body moving through a fluid. The invention will allow greater precision of control. One benefit is that take-offs and landings can be carried at reduced speeds and with greater loads. This control will also adjust boundary layer to adjust drag thereby allowing more flexibility in wing design.

Abstract: A spectrometer or multiple wavelength absorbance detection method and apparatus providing improved accuracy for an array of measurements at different wavelengths. The spectrometer utilizes a multiple wavelength illumination system with an array of independent detectors with different pathlength cells, where each cell is illuminated with predominately monochromatic light after separation by a light dispersing element. Each sample cell has an optical pathlength, optics and photodetection device that are optimized for its particular wavelength to accurately measure absorbance through an expected substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and controlling a property of colloidal substances that undergo at least one of a temperature dependent phase transition and a temperature dependent adsorption-desorption process is disclosed. The colloidal particles are characterized by performing successive measurements of light attenuation or emission by a colloidal mixture at two or more temperatures and at one or more wavelength. The difference or ratio of the measurements at two or more temperatures provides a measure of the colloidal stability with respect to temperature. The amount of certain organic colloids that are unstable to temperature variation may be determined from the magnitude of the measurement change. This method may be specifically applied to determining the tackiness and propensity to deposit of colloidal pitch or wood resin in pulp or paper process water as an indication of the effectiveness of a chemical control program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and controlling a property of colloidal substances that undergo at least one of a temperature dependent phase transition and a temperature dependent adsorption-desorption process is disclosed. The colloidal particles are characterized by performing successive measurements of light attenuation or emission by a colloidal mixture at two or more temperatures and at one or more wavelength. The difference or ratio of the measurements at two or more temperatures provides a measure of the colloidal stability with respect to temperature. The amount of certain organic colloids that are unstable to temperature variation may be determined from the magnitude of the measurement change. This method may be specifically applied to determining the tackiness and propensity to deposit of colloidal pitch or wood resin in pulp or paper process water as an indication of the effectiveness of a chemical control program.

Abstract: A spectrometer or multiple wavelength absorbance detection method and apparatus providing improved accuracy for an array of measurements at different wavelengths. The spectrometer utilizes a multiple wavelength illumination system with an array of independent detectors with different pathlength cells, where each cell is illuminated with predominately monochromatic light after separation by a light dispersing element. Each sample cell has an optical pathlength, optics and photodetection device that are optimized for its particular wavelength to accurately measure absorbance through an expected substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for characterizing colloids by successive measurements of light attenuation or emission of a colloidal mixture at two or more temperatures and at one or more wavelengths. The difference or ratio of the measurements at two or more temperatures provides a measure of the colloidal stability with respect to temperature. The amount of certain organic colloids that are unstable to temperature variation may be determined from the magnitude of the measurement change. In appropriate mixtures, this method provides a means to distinguish components of colloidal substances based. This method may be specifically applied to determining the stability and concentration of colloidal pitch or wood resin in a pulp or paper process water. In this context it may be used to distinguishing colloidal pitch or wood resin from talc, clay, carbon black, or other fillers.

Abstract: On-line measurements of an amount of dissolved solids in a liquid sample are determined by using both conductivity and UV measurements. More particularly, an amount of dissolved solids in a pulp and paper mill process water or effluent is determined by irradiating at least a portion of a liquid sample with ultraviolet light and subsequently measuring an absorption of the light by the liquid sample. Furthermore the conductivity of the liquid sample is measured and subsequently a computation is from a first relationship between the measured absorption of the first wavelength by the liquid sample and the measured conductivity of the liquid sample using a suitably programmed processor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring and controlling a characteristic of process waters or effluents from wood pulp bleaching, pulping and paper making processes utilizing a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2), Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.4, ClO.sub.2, Cl.sub.2 or O.sub.3 or a pulp delignification process utilizing a delignification agent such as NaOH, Na.sub.2 S, O.sub.2, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3, and enzymes including ligninase, xylanase, mannanase, laccase, and peroxidase are disclosed. This is done by obtaining at least three measurements of ultraviolet-visible light from the effluent by taking a first measurement measured at a first wavelength, a second measurement measured at a second wavelength, and a third measurement at a third wavelength, formulating two ratios from the three measurements and using the ratios for computing an empirical value of the characteristic of the effluent.