Abstract: A wind power generator is provided in which a reduction in weight is achieved by reducing the wall thickness of a nacelle, and an increase in the amount of heat input to the interior of the nacelle from sunlight is suppressed. In a wind power generator in which driving/power-generating mechanisms linked to a rotor head to which wind-turbine blades are attached are accommodated and installed inside a nacelle, a coating of high-reflectivity paint is formed on at least part of the outer wall that receives sunlight.

Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for a wind diverter at least partially encircling a wind turbine support column to direct the wind from an area around a wind turbine to the rotor blades of the wind turbine. The wind diverter may also reduce turbulence and increases the laminar flow of the airstream delivered to the rotor blades. Additionally, the wind diverter increases both the volume of air and the velocity of the airstream reaching the rotor so as to increase the rotor speed. Increasing the rotor speed increases the energy available to the wind turbine. Energy increases as the cube of the rotor speed and the increased energy produces an increase in the power generated by the wind turbine. The wind diverter also allows a wind turbine to begin producing energy at lower initial wind speeds due to the concentration of air.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to protect, in a horizontal axis wind turbine with an exhaust aperture for exhausting air from within the nacelle, the exhaust aperture and the internal structures from storm winds through facing the exhaust aperture away from the storm wind, even when storm winds are received from all directions relative to the nacelle. A rotary duct is attached to the nacelle so as to be able to rotate freely in the yaw direction, and is rotated in the yaw direction in accordance with changes in the wind direction. The exhaust aperture is provided at a position that changes direction depending on the rotation of the rotary duct in the yaw direction. By rotating the rotary duct in the yaw direction so that the exhaust aperture will face the downwind side in accordance with changes in the wind direction, the exhaust aperture can be faced away from storm winds, even when storm winds are received from all directions in relation to the nacelle.

Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.

Abstract: Co-axial, multi-rotor wind turbines, producing more power than a single rotor of the same diameter, are made even more powerful by increasing driveshaft length and supporting the driveshaft from more than one point. Sacrificing the ability to aim, for the extra length to support additional rotors, results in a more powerful co-axial multi-rotor turbine, especially useful for areas with a predominantly unidirectional wind resource. Ideally the turbine is placed at an offset angle ? (alpha) from the wind direction, which, in combination with proper spacing between rotors, allows fresh wind to reach each rotor, so that all rotors contribute toward rotation of the driveshaft. Placing the driveshaft under tension can raise critical speeds and reduce the number of intermediate supports required. This places the Earth or underlying substrate in compression, making it effectively part of the structure of the turbine, saving cost. Cross-axis and reversible blades may also be incorporated.

Abstract: A wind turbine that includes a spaceframe mounted atop a support structure is provided. The spaceframe houses and is integrated with a wind turbine drivetrain. The spaceframe transfers primary rotor loads and drivetrain torque to the support structure.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotary shaft having an axis of rotation, a plurality of turbine blades supported for rotary motion by the shaft, and a plurality of magnets supported by and spaced outwardly from the rotary shaft. The blades are mounted to the shaft by a mount that is radially inward of the magnets wherein the magnets have an annular velocity of at least the annular velocity of the blades. The turbine also includes a conductive coil, which is located outwardly from the magnets and the blades, wherein the coil surrounds the magnets and the blades and which is sufficiently close to the magnets such that rotary movement of the magnets induces current flow in the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerogenerator having a rotation support unit for facilitating rotation of a rotational body. The aerogenerator includes a support pillar, a rotational body, vanes, a rotating force transmission unit, a generating unit and a rotation support unit. The support pillar has a hollow space therein and has a support extension on the upper end thereof. The rotational body is provided on the upper end of the support pillar so as to be rotatable using the rotation support unit. The vanes are provided on opposite ends of the rotational body. The rotating force transmission unit transmits rotating force of the vanes to the generating unit. In the present invention, the rotation support unit comprises a rotating plate which is provided between the rotational body and the support pillar, and first rollers which are provided in the rotating plate and are in contact with the rotational body and the support extension.

Abstract: A propeller, wherein the tip parts of the propeller blades of a horizontal-shaft windmill are tilted in the front direction of the propeller blades to form inclination parts. The inclination angle of the tilted parts is set within the range of 25 to 50° relative to the longitudinal direction of the propeller blades.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface of the blade having a cylindrical root portion, an airfoil portion and a transition portion connecting the root portion with the airfoil portion, wherein the blade comprises a shoulder at the border between the transition portion to the airfoil portion, wherein the blade comprises an element which is arranged substantially at the root portion and/or at the transition portion which creates a slot between the element and the surface of the blade.

Abstract: A turbine for use with a turbine generator, the turbine including at least one turbine blade for positioning in a flowpath, a hub mounting the at least one turbine blade, and a rotatable shaft in operational communication with the hub via a hinge assembly, an axis of the hub being independent of an axis of the shaft. The hinge assembly is disposed between the shaft and the hub and configured to adjust an angle therebetween. A controller assembly is configured to adjust at least one operational characteristic of the hinge assembly during turbine operation. In one embodiment the operational characteristic is a teeter angle of the hinge assembly. In one embodiment operational characteristic is a stiffness or damping force. Methods for using and controlling a fluid turbine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A buoyant hydro turbine(31) for capturing and utilizing energy in the currents of flowing water. A driven component(33) produces electricity or other energy is coupled to and supported by a buoyant rotor(64), increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for an independent supporting structure. Tethered in flowing water, the current(71) rotates the rotors(32) and transfers rotatable energy to the central driven component(33) where electricity or other mechanical work is produced. A number of embodiments are adapted for optimizing and maintaining positioning in a stream of moving water. Additional embodiments optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the turbine in capturing and utilizing the current's kinetic energy as well as hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for controlling a wind energy plant, with a nacelle disposed on a tower and with a rotor with at least one rotor blade, the blade adjustment angle of which can be adjusted by means of a blade adjustment equipment. The objective to provide a reduction of the loads acting on the plant when there is a malfunction of the blade adjustment equipment is resolved according to the present invention in that the function of the blade adjustment equipment is monitored, and when an error of the blade adjustment equipment occurs, the nacelle is rotated from an operating position into a rest position, in which there is a flow of the wind against the surface extended by the at least one rotor blade (4) in a rotation of the rotor which is reduced with respect to the operating position.

Abstract: A stackable nacelle for a wind turbine includes a first piece having a top wall and integral first side walls extending at a first obtuse angle from each edge of the top wall; and a second piece, for mating with the first piece, having a bottom wall and integral second side walls extending at a second obtuse angle from each edge of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A tubular housing includes at least one fixed helical vane formed onto the inner surfaces of the tubular housing in a spiral and adapted to direct fluid into a spiraled flow and focus fluid onto a fan blade assembly associated with an alternator system and located within the tubular housing before a system exhaust. A generator cone can be mounted near the center and front of the fan blade assembly facing fluid passing through the tubular housing. As fluid passes over the generator cone it experiences compression between the generator cone and housing resulting in increased pressure and velocity of the fluid, thereby increasing rotational speed of the generator blades and generator as the compressed, spiraled fluid passes through the blades and exits the tubular housing. The system can be used for fixed or mobile applications in water, wind and manually induced air flow.

Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine is provided. The method includes coupling a support flange to an inner surface of a tower, and positioning a yaw bearing on the support flange. The yaw bearing includes a plurality of horizontally oriented rollers. A base of a nacelle assembly is positioned on the yaw bearing such that the base is rotatable with respect to the tower.

Abstract: A plain bearing assembly for mounting a blade to a hub of a wind turbine includes an outer member mountable to one of the blade or hub, and an inner member mountable to the other of the blade or hub and movable relative to the outer member. The plain bearing further includes fluid cavities associated with one of the outer or inner member and arranged to confront the other of the outer or inner member. The fluid cavities are coupled to a pressure source for establishing a pressurized fluid film between the inner and outer members. A method includes monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid film, comparing the at least one parameter to a threshold criteria, and altering a dynamic state of the wind turbine and/or altering the state of the blade bearing assembly if the threshold criteria is exceeded.

Abstract: A wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides liquid cooling for a wind turbine with a completely closed or at least partially closed cooling circuit, with which the heat to be dissipated from the cooling circuit is dissipated by a nacelle of the wind turbine. The wind turbine with improved cooling dissipates energy losses from heat and applied for the conversion of kinetic energy of wind into mechanical and electrical energy of the wind turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind power plant. It comprises a stator, a rotor, which is supported by the stator, a circular guide device, which has a plurality of fastening points provided on the periphery, at least two rotor blades, which each at the proximal end thereof are rotatably supported on the rotor and with the distal end thereof are rotatably supported by the annular guide device, and a plurality of tensioning ropes, which under tension connect the fastening points of the circular guide device to the stator for stable holding of the circular guide device in a position that is concentric to the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting underwater turbines that includes a mechanism for correcting tilt error, including both the amount and direction of error, associated with the installation of underwater turbines onto anchoring or mounting structures so that the yaw axis of the mounted turbines will be as close as possible to a desired angle, preferably vertical.

Abstract: A flow enhancement improvement for an underwater turbine generator (10) is disclosed wherein a longitudinal hole (240) is disposed in the central area (26), typically a hub (20) of the generator (10), and a second, augmentor duct (41), preferably rigid, is disposed about the outer duct (40) or housing of the unit to create a slot (200) area. The slot (200) and hollow hub (20) create areas of smooth, laminar fluid flow. The leading edges of the hub (20) or central ring and the augmentor (41) and outer ducts (40) are elliptical to enhance the fluid dynamics of the structure.

Abstract: A system generating electrical power from wind includes a cowling to capture wind and directs it into a tubular housing. At least one fixed helical vane can be integrated into the inner surfaces of the tubular housing in a spiral, adapted to further direct the captured wind into a spiraled air flow and focus the wind directly onto electrical generator fan blades located near an exhaust of the system. A generator cone can be mounted at the front of the generator or fan blades facing air passing through the tubular housing. As air passes over the generator cone it can experience compression between the generator cone and housing resulting in increased pressure and velocity of the air, thereby increasing rotational speed of the generator blades and generator as the compressed air passes through the blades and exits the system's exhaust. The system can be used for fixed or mobile applications.

Abstract: A wind turbine engine comprising rotor blades disposed within an outer casing and a half-spherical head located in front of the rotor blades and blocking the inner 50% of the radius of the rotor blades, the casing and head creating an acceleration chamber wherein incoming wind is speeded up and redirected around the head, and the accelerated wind then rotates the wind turbine rotor blades to generate power.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from water currents comprises a housing having at least one pair of channel, at least one pair of turbine assemblies and at least one pair of generator assemblies. Each channel of the pair has an axial intake, an axial discharge opening and a side intake. Each side intake extends along a length of the channel and faces in an upstream direction to receive a side inflow of water and directs the side inflow up against an interior surface of the channel to create a vortical flow structure having a low pressure core. The vortical flow structures are produced downstream of the turbine assemblies to effect an increase in a pressure drop across each of the turbine assemblies. The apparatus also has partition extending between the channels near said axial intakes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotor blade for a wind energy plant, with a blade root, with a first longitudinal portion starting from the blade root, with a second longitudinal portion, following up the first longitudinal portion and running into a blade tip, with a first surface, facing a tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, and a second surface, facing away from the tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, wherein an imaginary reference plane is spanned up by a rotation, taking place in the operation of the rotor blade, of the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal portion around the rotational axis of a rotor of the wind energy plant carrying the rotor blade which prevents collisions of the blade tip with the tower of the wind energy plant.

Abstract: A turbine-intake tower for delivering wind to a turbine has a hollow support column, an intake nozzle assembly rotatably coupled to the support column, and a tower nozzle disposed within the support column. The intake nozzle assembly is configured to receive and to accelerate wind. The tower nozzle is configured to receive the wind from the intake nozzle assembly and to further accelerate the wind received from the intake nozzle assembly for delivery to the turbine.

Abstract: Offshore wind turbine (14) including a tower (1) rising above sea level (12) and one or ore blades (4), which can be put into rotation by wind. The offshore wind turbine includes a pump (6), which is adapted to pump sea water (13) up form the sea. At the delivery side the pump (6) communicates with nozzles (8, 9), said nozzles being adapted to direct sea water to the surface of the blades (4).

Abstract: Guide case (24) for use in conjunction with a water turbine (20), with a helical top wall (35) of the annular chamber (27) extended downstream of the inner wall (39) of the inlet port (30). The extension is wetted on its downstream side by the top water entering the inlet port, and on its upstream side by the bottom water. The extension serves to keep the top water separate from the bottom water until the velocity vectors of the two water streams have been aligned, therefore reducing turbulence at the point where the waters mix and merge, and enabling more of the energy to be extracted from the water.

Abstract: The wind generating device employs modules each having two turbines. Each of the turbines employs two rotors, coaxially aligned and arranged one downstream from the other. The arrangement includes a proximal channel with a leading portion having decreasing radius toward the first rotor which acts as a collector and a following portion connecting fluidly the first and second rotor and a distal channel which is separate from the proximal channel and opens into the following portion thereby adding to the airflow to the second rotor. Downstream from the second rotor is a diffuser with radius increasing with distance from the rotor. The device includes mounting modules vertically stacked which allows for yaw responsive to wind. The device further includes mounting the modules on a tower.

Abstract: An horizontal axis wind turbine having a rotor (3) with a frontal projection comprising a stationary spherical head (1) upstream of its multibladed turbine rotor (3) displaces and increases the speed of wind addressed over 70% of the total frontal area. A series of thin airfoils (12) radially and evenly placed on said spherical head (1) to direct wind towards the turbine short blades (4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotor blade of a wind power installation and a wind power installation. One advantage of the present invention is to provide a rotor blade having a rotor blade profile, and a wind power installation, which has better efficiency than hitherto. A rotor blade of a wind power installation, wherein the rotor blade has a thickness reserve approximately in the range of between 15% and 40%, preferably in the range of between about 23% and 28%, and wherein the greatest profile thickness is between about 20% and 45%, preferably between about 32% and 36%.

Abstract: A device is described for the conversion of energy from free flowing water into electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic power using a submersible system of turbine propellers mounted on horizontal shafts supported by chambers, each containing switchgear and/or generators and air or water ballast. The device is tethered to the seabed by a cable. Free of a rigid vertical support, the device can yaw so that water flow in any direction can be used for power generation, as in a tidal basin. In response to sensing the water velocity of the water channel, the device actively seeks a nominal water velocity, ascending or descending as necessary.

Abstract: Turbine system including a turbine and a tubular arrangement having an exit opening. The tubular arrangement is arranged on a downstream side of the turbine. At least one flow controlling device at least partially prevents a fluid flow through the tubular arrangement from becoming detached from the tubular arrangement. The at least one flow controlling device is positioned within the fluid flow and in an area of the exit opening. The turbine system is configured to operate efficiently in an environment wherein at least an upper edge of the exit opening is arranged above a downstream liquid level.

Abstract: A wind power plant is provided having a rotor which is rotatably supported with respect to a rotor axis by a bearing arrangement. A rotor blade is fixed to a rotor hub and extends therefrom radially outwardly, with respect to the rotor axis. The bearing arrangement includes a first bearing ring fixed to a support arrangement in a torque-proof manner and disposed coaxially with respect to the rotor axis, and a second bearing ring being rotatably, with respect to the rotor axis, supported on the first bearing ring and fixed to the rotor hub.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus and methods of fluid energy conversion. One embodiment relates to a tube for a fluid energy converter. The tube may include a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes a fluid energy converter having a longitudinal axis and a rotatable tube coaxial about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the rotatable tube converts kinetic energy in a fluid into rotating mechanical energy, or converts rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in a fluid.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly for a wind turbine rotor hub is provided, the ventilation assembly comprising a frame fixedly mountable to the rotor hub, the frame including at least one opening, and a cover for said at least one opening, the cover being mounted to said frame to be freely rotatable with respect to said frame, wherein the cover has at least one ventilation opening to allow the ingress and egress of air and has a shielding member for shielding the at least one ventilation opening against ingress of liquid running down the rotor hub.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a wind power foundation. An embodiment of a wind power plant includes a tower having a top and a bottom. The plant also includes an assembly, the assembly including a transition piece that is coupled with a concrete cap. The assembly has a top and a bottom, with the top of the assembly being coupled with the bottom of the tower. The plant also includes a jacket structure. The jacket structure has a top and a bottom and multiple legs, with the bottom of the assembly being coupled with the top of the jacket structure.

Abstract: A wind driven vertical axis power generating system is disclosed. An air scoop directs air from the prevailing wind into an air turbine. An exit drag curtain provides for an efficient re-entrainment of the power generating air back into the prevailing wind. The design provides for an efficient method of utilizing the energy from a prevailing wind. The air scoop and exit drag curtain may be rotated to be suitably oriented to the prevailing wind direction. The invention is visually pleasing in shape, as well as efficient in the production of useful power.

Abstract: A hybrid blade wind turbine device formed of at least a pair of straight outer airfoil blades, and a pair of inner helical wing blades, as supported for rotation within a safety protective cage structure, which wind turbine can be mounted in the vertical, horizontal, or other aligned operational positions. The inner helical half wing blades, being preferably somewhat shorter than the length of the outer airfoil blades, act to “regularize” the swirling wind regime flowing through the hybrid wind turbine, so as to maximize the efficiency of the outer airfoil blades. The helical half wing blades can be formed of individual segmented vane segments to provide improved operational capabilities for the overall hybrid wind turbine. To best harness annualized available wind conditions, the hybrid wind turbine can be customized, through modification of the number of vane segments, the selection of the specific shape of the outer airfoil blades, and the specific operational positioning of the outer airfoil blades.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine includes: a rotor having a hub and at least two or more blades; a nacelle for pivotally supporting the rotor through a rotating shaft connected to the hub; a tower for supporting the nacelle; and an independent pitch control unit capable of independently controlling pitch angles of the blades, respectively, wherein the independent pitch control units control the pitch angles so that all the blades are made in a full feather position in case of a wind speed not less than a predetermined value, and subsequently controls the pitch angles of the respective blades so as to be sequentially reversed one by one, and further subsequently, carries out control so that the wind turbine idles in an all-blade negative feather position where the pitch angles of all the blades are reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary machine for passing a main liquid stream, the machine comprising: a shaft mounted to rotate relative to a casing of the rotary machine; and an active axial balancing system suitable for exerting a first axial take-up force on the shaft. The invention further comprising a circuit for a secondary liquid stream taken from the main liquid stream, and a passive axial balancing system suitable for exerting a second axial take-up force on the shaft, said passive axial balancing system being fed by the circuit for the secondary liquid stream.

Abstract: Turbine system including a turbine and a tubular arrangement having an exit opening. The tubular arrangement is arranged on a downstream side of the turbine. At least one flow controlling device at least partially prevents a fluid flow through the tubular arrangement from becoming detached from the tubular arrangement. The at least one flow controlling device is positioned within the fluid flow and in an area of the exit opening. The turbine system is configured to operate efficiently in an environment wherein at least an upper edge of the exit opening is arranged above a downstream liquid level.

Abstract: A propeller includes a plurality of propeller blades. Each blade has an adjustable drag coefficient. A plurality of actuators adjusts the drag coefficients of the propeller blades. A controlling unit controls the plurality of actuators such that the drag coefficients of each propeller blade is adjusted according to a pattern that is dependent upon the rotational angle of the particular propeller blade so that the drag of each propeller blade is maximized at the same point through a course of revolution and minimized throughout the remainder of that revolution.

Abstract: A wind power plant having a tower open at the top and provided with a side inlet for the wind for generating a cyclone in the tower and a substantially horizontal turbine that has inlets through the base and an outlet to the center of the cyclone in the tower and that is driving a generator. The tower is rotatable and has a non-circular elliptical shape viewed in the horizontal plane. This shape increases the power of the wind power plant as compared to a tower with a circular shape. During operation, the tower is turned so that the wind inlet is always facing the wind.

Abstract: A blower for use with a textiles processing machine such as a dyeing machine including an intake port and an outlet port each in communication with an impeller that draws air in through the intake port and discharges air through the outlet port, the intake port and the outlet port being arranged such that air is drawn in in a direction opposite to but substantially parallel to a direction in which air is discharged.

Abstract: A device and method for conversion of the energy of medium flows are provided. The proposed device and method ensure suppression of the vortex streams in the flow on the leg of its motion along the radially converging trajectories and concentration of the flow energy, which is expressed by the increase of its velocity and decrease of the summary area of the cross section of the converging trajectories. As the flow runs along the first system of helical trajectories the following takes place: the harmful secondary vortex jets continue attenuating, the degree of concentration of the flow energy increases and velocity components form in the flow, which correspond to natural vortex streams, for instance, tornadoes, whirlpools.

Abstract: Presented is a physically and environmentally attractive fluid energy powered rotor driven power generation system that very efficiently extracts energy from both wind and water currents and that offers easy low cost manufacture, transportation, and installation due to its modular pre-fabricated design concepts. It achieves its high efficiencies by redirecting incoming fluids forward to add positive rotational energy to a side of the rotor what would otherwise have an anti-rotational drag force component.

Abstract: A floating power generation assembly comprises at least three floating units (900) floating on a body of water, and at least three anchors (916) secured to a solid surface beneath the body of water, each of the floating units (900) being provided with a power generator, the floating units (900) being arranged substantially at the vertices of at least one equilateral triangle. Ship borne apparatus for deploying the floating units of such a power generation assembly and a novel multiple wind turbine assembly are also described.