Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate an integral and/or multi-piece airfoil and a shrouded fluid turbine having the same. The airfoil can have a generally circumferential body extending circumferentially about a central axis, and can be referred to herein as a “ringed airfoil.” The airfoil can have a front portion defining a leading edge of the airfoil and a rear portion defining a trailing edge of the air foil. A cross-sectional thickness of the front portion can be non-uniform and vary along a mean camber line of the airfoil from the leading edge to a transition area. A cross-sectional thickness of the rear portion can be uniform and constant along the mean camber line of the airfoil from the transition area to the trailing edge of the airfoil.

Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine includes an impeller for generating power from a fluid stream and a shroud surrounding the impeller. The impeller and/or the shroud have a moveable member for controlling power generation in the fluid turbine. The shroud has a plurality of mixing lobes on a trailing edge thereof, the trailing edge having a circular crenellated shape. The power generation is controlled by reducing loads and/or controlling impeller speed. Various moveable components are described for the stator vanes and the rotor blades.

Abstract: Shrouded fluid turbines of various configurations are disclosed. The shrouded fluid turbines include an impeller, a turbine shroud surrounding the impeller, and an ejector shroud around the turbine shroud. The ejector shroud may completely surround the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud may have a plurality of mixing lobes that form a crenellated trailing edge. Alternatively, the turbine shroud may have a plurality of open slots. Means for directing fluid flow into the plurality of open slots may include an ejector shroud that seals with the turbine shroud downstream of the open slots. A plurality of fluid ducts may also connect individually to each open slot. An external stator may be connected to an exterior surface of the ejector shroud.

Abstract: A fluid turbine comprises a turbine shroud and an optional ejector shroud. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud are formed from a hard shell and a membrane. The hard shell forms a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an interior surface of the shroud. The membrane forms an exterior surface of the shroud. The resulting construction is lighter than previous turbine shrouds.

Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine includes an impeller surrounded by a turbine shroud. The turbine shroud has a plurality of mixing lobes on a trailing edge, resulting in the trailing edge having a circular crenellated shape. An ejector shroud is located downstream of the turbine shroud, an inlet end of the ejector shroud surrounding the mixing lobes of the turbine shroud. The impeller is a rotor/stator assembly. In particular, the rotor comprises a rotor hub formed from a cylindrical sidewall and has seven rotor blades extending radially from the hub. It has been found that seven rotor blades optimizes the total-to-total efficiency of the shrouded fluid turbine.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind/water turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. In the preferred embodiment, Applicants' MEWT incorporates advanced flow mixing technology, single and multi-stage ejector technology, aircraft and propulsion aerodynamics and noise abatement technologies in a unique manner to fluid-dynamically improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of wind turbines, so that its operating efficiency routinely exceeds the Betz limit. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow.

Abstract: A fluid turbine comprises a turbine shroud, an ejector shroud, and a means for extracting energy from a fluid stream. The means for extracting energy is located in the annulus between the turbine shroud and the ejector shroud. High-energy fluid can flow through the turbine shroud to bypass the means for extracting energy. Energy is extracted from the fluid passing through the means to form a low-energy fluid stream. The high-energy fluid and the low-energy fluid can then be mixed. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud has mixing lobes to increase the mixing of the two fluid streams.

Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine comprises an impeller and a turbine shroud surrounding the impeller. The inlet of the turbine shroud is flared. The shroud includes alternating inward and outward curving lobe segments along a trailing edge of the turbine shroud. The inward and outward curving lobe segments have exposed lateral surfaces, or in other words do not have sidewalls joining the inward and outward curving lobe segments. This allows for both transverse mixing and radial mixing of air flow through the turbine shroud with air flow passing along the exterior of the turbine shroud.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind/Water Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind/water turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass fluid flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind/Water Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind/water turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind/water turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass fluid flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind/water turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.

Abstract: A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.