Abstract: A turbine apparatus has a main shaft, a first set of blades mounted to the main shaft, a second set of blades, and a barrel affixed to a periphery of the second set of blades. The barrel is rotatably mounted independent of a rotation of the main shaft. The barrel and the second set of blades rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first set of blades and the main shaft. A third set of blades is mounted to the main shaft such that the second set of blades is interposed between the first and third sets of blades. An outer shell extends over and an outer surface of the barrel such that the barrel is rotatable interior of the outer shell.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a steam turbine is disclosed that has at least one arc of admission. The arc of admission has a plurality of nozzles arranged about the circumference of the diaphragm and are configured to eject a working fluid at succeeding rotor blades axially-spaced from the diaphragm. The flow area of the first few nozzle vanes in the arc of admission is gradually increased along the arcuate length of the diaphragm, thereby mitigating the load impulse absorbed by each rotor blade as it enters the arc of admission. The flow area of the last few nozzle vanes in the arc of admission is gradually decreased so that each rotor blade does not suddenly go from full load impulse to zero and thereby contribute to the fatigue of the rotor blade and create unwanted noise.

Abstract: A speed control device is provided for a pneumatic power tool which includes a housing with a pressure air inlet, an output spindle, and an air turbine with a turbine wheel drivingly connected to the output spindle. Nozzles are arranged for directing motive air onto the turbine wheel. The speed control device includes a valve unit for controlling pressure air flow through the nozzles in response to a speed responsive parameter. The plurality of nozzles are divided into n separate nozzle groups having individual air feed through individual air feed passages (n is an integer, n>1). The valve unit is capable of being actuated into n states for controlling air feed to the n nozzle groups, whereby for each subsequent state, x (1?x?n, x is an integer) air feed passages are connected to the pressure air inlet such that nozzle groups 1 to x are fed with air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptidic compound containing a polyprotein NS3/NS4 of a hepatitis C virus and a polypeptide NS5b of hepatitis C virus. Said invention also relates to expression vectors such as adenovirus and poxvirus in which nucleic sequences coding for the polyprotein NS3/NS4 and the polypeptide NS5b. The inventive compound can be used for a therapeutic application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of a working medium through an expansion device in a closed heating system which also includes a condenser, a pump and a boiler. The expansion device is a helical screw rotor expander that has an inlet port with an inlet line connected thereto, and an outlet port. The expansion device drives an energy producing device, such as a generator. The helical screw rotor expander has an intermediate pressure port between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a branch line is connected between the intermediate pressure port and a branching point in the inlet line. A valve is in the branch line. The flow of working medium through the valve to the intermediate pressure port is controlled as a function of a state parameter.

Abstract: A rotating display apparatus includes a support structure, a rotor mounted rotatably on the support structure for rotation about a vertically disposed rotational axis, and at least two (preferably more) wind-reactive elements on the rotor on which a user may display promotional, political, or other information, including using the shape of the wind-reactive elements as the displayed information. The wind-reactive elements (airfoil or non-airfoil) cause the rotor to rotate about the rotational axis in response to wind passing the rotating display apparatus. Each is free to pivot between a respective one of first and second pairs of stop positions as the rotor rotates about the rotational axis in order to self-align according to wind direction and impart rotational movement to the rotor, moving through five phases per revolution as they orbit the rotational axis.

Abstract: Maintenance requirements on a variable pitch propeller control system are minimized by eliminating the need for mechanical elements, such as a flyweight, mechanism in a secondary control for the variable pitch propeller. The system includes a secondary control (40) operating a pitch change mechanism (24) in response to the existence of at least one undesirable propeller condition and includes a target (34), (38) along with a target pickup (32), (36) for sensing the target (34), (38) and providing information to a function generator (76) which in turn provides information to a logic device (78), (80), (82), (84), (86), (88), (94) which in turn is connected to the pitch change mechanism (24) for operating the same.

Abstract: A low drag ducted ram air turbine generator and cooling system is provided. The ducted ram air turbine generator and cooling system has reduced drag while extracting dynamic energy from the air stream during the complete range of intended flight operating regimes. A centerbody/valve tube having an aerodynamically shaped nose is slidably received in a fairing and primary structure to provide a variable inlet area. An internal nozzle control mechanism attached to the valve tube positions nozzle control doors to provide variable area nozzles directing air flow to the turbine stator and rotor blades to maintain optimum generator efficiency. An alternate embodiment includes an annular internal nozzle having interleaved panels to modulate the air flow to the turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine has an internal rotor carrying a plurality of turbine vanes in a circular path between an inlet opening and an exhaust opening. The inlet opening includes a stationary dividing vane that delivers one portion of the inlet airflow to a primary flowpath traversing the turbine vanes at two locations. The stationary dividing vane also delivers a second portion of the inlet airflow to a second flowpath which drives the turbine vanes as those vanes move in the part of the circular path from the exhaust opening toward the inlet opening. The turbine vanes may be mounted so as to have variable angular positions in different portions of the circular path. Turbine vane position can be controlled either magnetically or mechanically. Where vane position is varied magnetically, a plurality of permanent magnets with suitable controls adjust the turbine vane position. Where vane position is varied mechanically, a pair of cam arrangements may be employed.

Abstract: A vertical-axle wind power machine comprises a vertical axle, a plurality of jointed radial arms, a plurality of counterbalanced oblique blades at the support points thereof, a friction-rewarding rotary speed multiplying transmission, and an automatic rotary speed regulating means to be performed by either a wind-operated or an alternative digital controlled rotary speed regulating device; the combination of which provides the oblique blades with great sensitivity to the alternation of lee wind and head wind for automatic swinging to the most efficient lee angle at upstanding and overturned positions to sail nearly three quarters and streamline against the head wind resistance for the remaining quarter every circle of rotation, is able to convert the centripetal and centrifugal component forces to the same torque direction of the tangential component force from the same blade by an eccentric-guided angular bracket means and a fork-rooted radial arm, is able to offset the friction loss in the rotary speed mult

Abstract: A fully submersible apparatus for generating electricity from liquid flow as in an ocean or river current. A buoyant structure is fully submersible and has at least one pair of counter-rotating side-by-side motors with a plurality of angularly spaced radial vanes each having a plurality of rotatable subvanes such that current impinging upon the motor will impinge on a closed or solid vane to effect rotation of the motor and its shaft during a first phase of the rotational cycle and will impinge on open vanes for free passage therethrough on the return or second phase of rotation of the motor. Motors may also be provided with vanes in overlying and underlying relationship. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: A stator apparatus for mounting upstream of an intake to a rotating machine which blows pressurized air, or other media, from discharge orifices at a pressure and velocity to minimize velocity defects or turbulence in the wake of the stator prior to the plane of rotation of a rotating member of the machine. The rotating member then encounters a substantially uniform velocity medium at the plane of incidence, which substantially reduces uneven loading on the rotating member, thereby reducing noise and reducing high-cycle failure of that rotating element. The distribution and size of the orifices is determinable by placing the stator apparatus in a wind tunnel, or on the intake of a apparatus simulating the intake of the rotating machine, measuring the turbulence or velocity defects in the stator wake, and modifying the distribution and size of the orifices until the turbulence is minimized.

Abstract: Wind turbine apparatus is described for converting wind energy into electrical energy. The apparatus includes a rotatable central shaft, a plurality of rotor blades attached to the central shaft, and a plurality of convex airfoils spaced around the periphery of the rotor blades. The ratio of the number of rotor blades to the number of airfoils is at least 1.25 to 1. The size of the apparatus may vary, and the apparatus is useful in a variety of applications and environments. It is very efficient in converting wind energy to electrical energy. It may be operated even in very high wind conditions.

Abstract: An aeroturbine is provided including a body, guide walls formed in the body for guiding the air, a rotor chamber mounted above the body, the rotor chamber housing a rotor therein, and control and gate flaps adjacent to the rotor chamber for controlling airflow. To improve airflow through the aeroturbine, an air chamber having its bottom formed by the control and gate flaps is provided below the rotor and the cover of the air chamber separating the air chamber from the rotor chamber is provided with adjustable nozzle channels.

Abstract: A booster (34) for a wind turbine (12) of the type containing an impeller (14) having a plurality of radial curved vanes (16) mounted on a shaft (18) connected to an electric generator (20). The booster (34) comprises a structure (36) mounted in a stationary manner about the impeller (14) for increasing rotation speed of the radial curved vanes (16) on the shaft (18) and operate more efficiently the electric generator (20), to put out more electrical energy therefrom.

Abstract: A cross flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor. Each blade assembly comprises a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical shaft. The turbine also includes a device for measuring the direction of the apparent fluid velocity, a shaft encoder for measuring the blade angle and a control system to set the blade angle such that the lift component of the aerodynamic forces on the blade contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind mill with retractable sails comprising a central core which has vertical side walls in a generally cylindrical configuration. The core has an upper end and a lower end and a drive shaft positioned along the central axis therefor. The drive shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The core also has curved vanes extending radially outwardly therefrom for rotation under the force of the wind to rotate the core and the drive shaft. The device also includes a fixed support which receives the shaft through bearings to allow for rotation of the core while the upper support remains fixed. Also included is a housing with a generator located within the lower extent of the housing beneath the core. The generator has an upper end secured to the lower end of the shaft for generating electricity in response to rotation of the shaft. The sails are radially retracted by coiling up into a lower portion of a U-shaped bracket, with a drive system for raising and lowering the sails.

Abstract: A wind turbine cross wind machine is disclosed, which comprises a circumferential arrangement of guide vanes (1) around a centrally located rotor (2) including a central aperture (3) in the middle of a circumferential arrangement of blades (2), where the guide vanes are capable of guiding the wind falling upon counter acting rotor blades towards the direction of rotor rotation, whatever direction the wind may be coming from, thereby offering a substantial improvement in this wind machine efficiency.Alternatively, the guide vanes (2 in FIG. 7) being of a uniform airfoil type they divert the airstream path by acting like an aerodynamic lens causing a uniform concentration of it within the encircled area, thus producing twin symmetrically convergent airpaths passing through the engine and causing a horizontal venturi effect to appear across the rotor blades with advantageous results on engine performance.

Abstract: A fluid-augmented free-vortex power generating apparatus (10) that is driven by either prevailing winds or water and which has a turbine (24) that includes a number of axially extending cup like sails (20) mounted on a freely rotating hub (22). A fluid mover (28) in the form of a fan or blower as would be used when the fluid medium is air or a water pump when the fluid medium is water, tangentially directs a flow of fluid under high velocity onto the turbine sails inducing rotation and creating an unconfined vortex around the apparatus (10). A power generator produces electrical energy from the rotation of the rotor which revolves due to the combined impingement of the fluid mover (28) and intensified regenerated circular fluid movement created by the artificially created unconfined vortex.

Abstract: A fluid rotor is disclosed for turning electrical generators or other mechanical equipment. The fluid rotor contains multiple curved blades which are in a single plane of rotation, and which are spaced closely together so as to maximize the efficiency of the captured fluid. The open blades are designed to overlap one another to an extent that there are always at least two blades positioned to capture the fluid regardless from which direction the fluid is flowing. The curved blades allow the rotor to always rotate in the correct direction regardless of the direction of the fluid without the use of moving vanes or housings to help direct the fluid at certain portions of the fluid rotor. If the rotor is made to turn in the incorrect direction, it will, as fluid from any direction flows against it, slow down, stop momentarily, and then begin to rotate in the correct direction.

Abstract: An auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member is disclosed which includes a helically or auger shaped outer region disposed about a longitudinal axis which passes through a central region of the member. The auger shaped outer region establishes at least one auger or helically shaped fluid medium engaging surface, which intercepts the flow of a fluid medium such as air or water, for effecting rotational movement of the fluid medium engaging member about its longitudinal axis. The auger shaped, fluid medium engaging member may be coupled to an electrical generator, for generating electrical energy upon rotational movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor driven by wind power with a vertical rotating axis and radial arms distributed at uniform angular intervals over its periphery which bear bodies with an aerodynamic profile such that one side of the profile exhibits a lower air resistance with a current at right angles than with a current from the opposite side.Known vertical rotors should be of simple construction and should be capable of being manufactured at low cost. At the same time their efficiency should be high enough for them to be used to generate wind power economically. To this end, the rotor of the generic type is improved such that the rotor arms consist of one or a plurality of loops in vertical planes with an aerodynamic profile, where the profile shape is maintained essentially uniform over the entire length of the loop.

Abstract: A wind rotor is disclosed for turning electrical generators or other mechanical equipment. The wind rotor contains multiple curved blades which are in a single plane of rotation, and which are spaced closely together so as to maximize the efficiency of the captured wind. The open blades are designed to overlap one another to an extent that there are always at least two blades positioned to capture the wind regardless from which direction the wind is blowing. The curved blades allow the rotor to always rotate in the correct direction regardless of the direction of the wind without the use of moving vanes or housings to help direct the wind at certain portions of the wind rotor. If the rotor is made to turn in the incorrect direction, it will, as wind from any direction blows against it, slow down, stop momentarily, and then begin to rotate in the correct direction.

Abstract: A wind turbine with a stationary tower and a set of turbine blades rotatably attached to the top and bottom of the tower. A set of upper and lower braces connects the turbine blades to prevent any sag or skewing of the turbine blades as they rotate about the tower. The wind turbine may also include a stationary shell attached to the tower and inside the sweep of the turbine blades, to direct the airflow toward the turbine blades at the shell periphery, thereby improving overall performance and efficiency of the turbine.

Abstract: A power-producing windmill is disclosed. A paddle assembly having a central axis is supported for rotation on a frame. Two spaced-apart lateral sides supports the central axis and forms a channel in which the paddle assembly rotates. A pivotal vane is connected on one end of the channel for regulating the amount of air entering the channel is operated such as to regulate the rotational speed of the paddle assembly. A unique paddle configuration is provided which provides first and second wind-capturing cavities for increasing the total energy conversion efficiency of the wind to electromotive energy.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine provides a rotor assembly which rotates on bearing assemblies affixed to a rotor shaft supported by a base, the rotor assembly having inclined vanes mounted between top and bottom plates to impart lift to the rotor assembly and reduce friction on the bearing assemblies, and power takeoff means to provide power by direct mechanical linkage or to drive an electrical generator.

Abstract: A windmill having a stator and a rotor. The rotor has the shape of a long convex blade having sharp edges and being symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis. The stator which surrounds and supports the rotor comprises a lower platform which acts as a base, an upper platform parallel to the lower platform and a set of vertical and also equally spaced vanes joining the two platforms. According to a first embodiment, each vane is formed of an outer stationary shutter joining the two platforms and of a movable inner shutter capable of pivoting about its longitudinal axis. In an other embodiment, the vanes are one-piece element and can pivot freely on posts of which the ends are secured to the two platforms. In either case, there is provided a control mechanism responsible for the angular orientation of the movable shutters or vanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to our energy conversion system for converting the kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy. The objective is to produce a controlled, tornado like, turbulence around a turbine. This is accomplished by using a deflector to channel the air over a main body made up of five rotating wings which in turn deflect the air into small turbine rotatably connected to the wings.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from wind includes a base, a pair of upstanding, generally parallel, spaced apart walls rotatably mounted on the base and defining an inlet end and an outlet end for wind, an electric power generator mounted on the base and having an input shaft, and a vertical axis cylindrical rotor having a plurality of wind driven vanes and mounted on the base between the walls, and having an output shaft coupled to rotate the input shafts. A curved inner modulator is rotatably mounted on the base inside said rotor and is selectively movable for controlling wind flow through the rotor. An inlet modulator is rotatably mounted on the base at the inlet end and is selectively movable for controlling wind flow to the rotor.

Abstract: A wind motor module which comprises three integrally cast elements, namely a parabolic flow turbine which rotates on a base and which is protected by a dome having the shape of a half-lens.

Abstract: An improved vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine in accordance with one embodiment, does not include a support tower but instead includes a bearing support for mounting a torque tube rotatably connected to blades, the bearing support being secured to ground by a plurality of guy cables. The torque tube may comprise a plurality of tube sections including an intermediate bearing and additional guy cables for supporting the torque tube to the ground in a vertical orientation. In another embodiment of the present invention, control means are disclosed for independently controlling the pitch of respective wind turbine blades in response to relative wind direction.

Abstract: A fluid flow driven engine comprising two counter-directionally rotating rotors rotatably mounted on a base which can be used to secure the fluid flow driven engine in the path of a flowing fluid, the rotors comprising cylindrical drums with a plurality of circumferentially spaced impellers projecting radially outward from each drum, the rotors being placed in closely spaced relation so as to define a fluid flow passageway between the drums. A housing having a venturi shaped or tapered inlet and outlet surrounds the rotors so that the inlet and outlet direct a flowing fluid through the passageway and the venturi shape increases the velocity of a fluid entering the passageway, extension plates being slidably mounted in the inlet and outlet portions of the housing to vary the cross-sectional areas of the inlet and outlet, thereby varying the velocity of a flowing fluid entering the passageway.

Abstract: A steam turbine in which the number of shell penetrations is reduced to six, without the use of T or Y fittings, by controlling steam flow to large nozzle chambers with a single large valve, rather than two smaller size valves. Secondly, adjacent valves are oriented in opposite directions, with those valves controlling nozzle chambers in the upper casing of the turbine opening to provide downward flow. This arrangement achieves two benefits: first, it reduces the number of turns and the length of the "spaghetti" piping leading to the nozzle inlet snouts, providing a straighter and more direct route for steam flow; and secondly, the inversion of adjacent valves allows room for installation of individual servomotors for each valve, which in turn enables greater flexibility in valve actuation sequencing. The invention also provides an improved method of valve sequencing.

Abstract: A steam turbine system including a source of motive steam and a turbine adapted to operate at less than a full load and normally provided with two separate valve chests each incorporation a plurality of commonly controlled valves, is modified to improve turbine efficiency by separating the camshafts for each group of control valves associated with each of the steam chests such that the valves associated with each of the steam chests may be operated in two distinct groups. In one form, the steam chests are each associated with four valves and the camshafts are split so that each section of camshaft controls two valves. In this form, the turbine is initialized at 50 percent admission by opening two sets of valves and thereafter the admission is increased in 25 percent increments by sequentially opening the other two valve sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind driven turbine, which includes a rotor having a plurality of spaced apart vanes. The rotor is adapted to rotate about the vertical axis of an elongate short which can transmit power to a prime mover or power take off. Each vane for the rotor is formed with a substantially concave, elongate trailing or reverse face. Wind deflecting means are provided for directing wind through a venturi, onto and along the concave trailing face of one or more vanes, as the one more vanes rotate downwind away from the venturi. The wind deflecting means can also assist in at least partially shielding from the wind, one or more vanes of the rotor, as the vanes rotat and move upwind towards the venturi.

Abstract: Existing steam chests having a plurality of valves which are incapable of operation by individual high pressure valve actuators may be modified to provide apparatus for transferring operation of a steam turbine at less than a full load betweeen a full-arc admission mode and a partial-arc admission mode. For those steam chests of the internal bar lift type, the outboard valves are disconnected from the bar and coupled directly to respective servomotors. As such, the pre-existing servomotor utilized to lift the internal bar, as well as the additional servomotors for the outboard valves, are operatively connected to a conventional control means. In those steam chests of the external bar lift type, an additional servomotor is coupled through an actuator rod to the pre-existing pivot point of the external bar, and is thereafter controlled by conventional means for interactively activating the pre-existing servomotor and the additional servomotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of a Savonius type rotor (20) and a deflector plate device (101) which serves as an augmentation apparatus which considerably increases the power output of the Savonius type rotor and also improves its self-starting ability and smoothness of operation. The invention also describes a novel Savonius type rotor (20) of greater efficiency than existing Savonius type rotors. In connection with the rotor-deflector combination, the present invention also teaches a simple, automatic speed control mechanism (107) which additionally can be used to facilitate stopping the rotor if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of two vertical axis Savonius-type rotors (20,120) mounted on a support structure (210) and a deflector plate (200). The deflector plate serves an an augmentation apparatus which considerably increases the power output of both Savonius-type-rotors and also improves their self-starting ability and smoothness of operation. The support structure is mounted for rotation about a central vertical shaft (242) so that the rotor-deflector combination can be properly positioned. The invention also provides a partition plate (236) positioned between the rotors to give rigidity to the deflector plate.

Abstract: A control system for a steam turbine employs complementary-sized nozzle groups receiving steam in a sequence which employs the smallest possible sized group receiving steam from a control valve of the smallest possible capacity as the governing valve. All other control valves remain either fully open or fully closed. An optimum path may be followed to select a highest-efficiency transition between valve combinations.

Abstract: A first control assembly is provided operative to supply gas from a supply of gas under pressure to the inlet of a centrifugal liquid pump at increasing and decreasing rates responsive to decreases and increases in the pressure of liquid discharge from the pump. The first control assembly includes spring structure for closing an associated air flow controlling valve member which is yieldingly biased toward the open position by the pressure of liquid discharged from the pump and a second control assembly is provided operative to increase and decrease the loading of the aforementioned spring structure responsive to increases and decreases in demand for liquid being discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A sequence of activating and deactivating arcuate nozzle chambers which together form a structure for admitting steam into a steam turbine and directing it through turbine blades. At least one small and one large nozzle chamber are cooperatively activated and deactivated to provide maximum turbine efficiency. After minimum admission operation has been achieved, a small nozzle chamber disposed arcuately adjacent the activated nozzle chambers is increasingly activated as load is increased. When the small nozzle chamber has been fully activated and load on the turbine increases further, the large nozzle chamber is increasingly activated with load. At a predetermined degree of activation of the larger nozzle chamber, the small nozzle chamber is increasingly deactivated as the large nozzle chamber is increasingly activated. When the large nozzle chamber has been completely activated and the load on the turbine increases further, the small nozzle chamber is again increasingly activated as the load increases.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor and power turbine driven by gas flow across a nozzle arrangement that includes a partial admission gate valve therein movable into and out of overlying relationship with a limited number of vanes of the nozzle in order to control power output therefrom during part load operation of the engine.

Abstract: A pneumatic hand tool comprises a housing having a compressed-gas inlet and provided with a pneumatically powered motor which carries on one side a tool holder such as a chuck and on the other side a governor. A speed-control valve is operated by the governor and can close a first air passage between the inlet and the motor to maintain the motor speed below a predetermined limit. Another passage is provided which bypasses the governor-controlled speed-control valve and a valve is provided in this bypass conduit which is openable in order to allow the hand tool to operate at a speed substantially above the governor-established speed.