Abstract: The gas turbine intake can have a swirl housing having an inlet portion fluidly connecting an exhaust conduit, an annular outlet defined around a central axis and fluidly connecting a turbine gas path, a swirl path extending circumferentially around the central axis from the inlet portion to a circumferential outlet, the circumferential outlet fluidly connected back into the inlet portion, and vanes located in the swirl housing, the vanes circumferentially interspaced from one another relative the central axis and located radially inwardly from the swirl path relative the central axis, the swirl path being free of the vanes.

Abstract: A torque converter has a torus. The torus has a size set based on a flatness ratio obtained by dividing a width of the torus in an axial direction by a width of the torus in a radial direction, a thinness ratio obtained by dividing the width of the torus in the axial direction by an outer diameter of the torus, and an inner diameter ratio obtained by dividing an inner diameter of the torus by the outer diameter of the torus.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed turbomachine, such as a motor-driven blower and a turbine driven generator, capable of reliable high-temperature operation, especially for large sized turbomachine includes a hot blower, compressor or turbine end of the turbomachine that is separated from the cooler electric motor, generator or alternator end of the turbomachine by a compliant mechanical coupling and a thermal choke assembly. The turbomachine housing is also hermetically sealed, providing control over the process gas within the machine housing, and permitting an internal cooling method within the turbomachine, whereby a small amount of process gas itself is used within the turbomachine for providing cooling of the rotating shafts, the axial fan, radial fan, or turbine impeller, the bearings and the electric motor, generator or alternator disposed within the turbomachine housing. The cooling method can be aided by a heat exchanger operatively communicating with the turbomachine.

Abstract: A transmission turbo machine integrates drive units and/or driven units into a machine train via a transmission. The integrated transmission substantially comprises a central large wheel with a shaft and a plurality of pinions with pinion shafts. The large wheel is operatively connected to the pinions, and the ends of the pinion shafts are operatively connected to a drive unit and/or driven unit. The shaft of the large wheel is operatively connected to a drive unit and/or driven unit. The invention is characterized in that the drive unit and/or driven unit is an axial expander which is mounted in a cantilevering manner in one or more stages.

Abstract: A method and a turbine for expanding an organic operating fluid in a Rankine cycle includes the step of feeding the operating fluid to a turbine provided with a plurality of arrays of stator blades alternating with a plurality of arrays of rotor blades, to define corresponding turbine stages, constrained to a shaft which rotates on the respective rotation axis. The method also includes: a) causing a first expansion of the operating fluid in one or more radial stages of the turbine, b) diverting the operating fluid exiting from the radial stages in a direction axial and tangential with respect to the rotation axis, and c) causing a second fluid expansion in one or more axial stages of the turbine. Step b) corresponds to an enthalpy change of the operating fluid equal to at least 50% of the average enthalpy change provided for completing the fluid expansion in the turbine.

Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump. The solid feed pump includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a rotatable sleeve configured to rotate to actively draw solid feed into the solid feed inlet or out of the solid feed outlet.

Abstract: A wind turbine station for generating electricity comprising a multi floor structure having open framing. The open framing comprising at least two spaced-apart, open, vertical frames, the frames each made primarily of uncovered beams and columns. The station has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal, interior platforms forming the floors of the structure, each interior platform extending between and joined to both of the frames over the length of the frames. Wind turbines are mounted on the structure about the outer periphery of each platform. The wind turbines face outwardly and are each operatively connected to a generator to produce electricity. In a preferred embodiment, the structure has an annular shape with an outer cylindrical or polygonal prism frame and an inner cylindrical or polygonal prism frame spaced from the outer frame. The interior platforms have a flat, ring shape. The invention includes a method for building the station.

Abstract: A supersonic compressor system. The supersonic compressor system includes a casing that defines a cavity that extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a first drive shaft that is positioned within the cavity. A centerline axis extends along a centerline of the first drive shaft. A supersonic compressor rotor is coupled to the first drive shaft and is positioned in flow communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The supersonic compressor rotor includes at least one supersonic compression ramp that is configured to form at least one compression wave for compressing a fluid. A centrifugal compressor assembly is positioned in flow communication between the supersonic compressor rotor and the fluid outlet. The centrifugal compressor assembly is configured to compress fluid received from the supersonic compressor rotor.

Abstract: A vacuum pump has an exhaust portion in which rotating blade portions and stationary blade portions are laminated in multiple stages. Each of the plurality of stator blades in one stage of the stationary blade portion is three-dimensionally connected to the stationary blade portion main body by an inner circumferential side support portion on the inner circumferential end side, and three-dimensionally connected to the stationary blade portion main body by an outer circumferential side support portion on the outer circumferential end side, and a cutout is provided in a circumferential front end of the outer circumferential side support portion.

Abstract: A counter-rotatable fan turbine engine includes a counter-rotatable fan section, a worm gas generator, and a low pressure turbine to power the counter-rotatable fan section. The low pressure turbine maybe counter-rotatable or have a single direction of rotation in which case it powers the counter-rotatable fan section through a gearbox. The gas generator has inner and outer bodies having offset inner and outer axes extending through first, second, and third sections of a core assembly. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes and extending radially outwardly and inwardly respectively. The helical blades have first, second, and third twist slopes in the first, second, and third sections respectively. A combustor section extends through at least a portion of the second section.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a compressing system including: a casing including an inlet and an outlet; a first compression unit configured to receive an inlet fluid from the inlet and compressing the inlet fluid into a first pressure fluid; a first pressure chamber configured to receive the first pressure fluid; at least one first intercooler unit configured to cool the first pressure fluid; a second compression unit configured to compress the first pressure fluid into a second pressure fluid; a second pressure chamber configured to receive the second pressure fluid; at least one second intercooler unit configured to cool the second pressure fluid; and a third compression unit configured to compress the second pressure fluid.

Abstract: A wind generating device employs modules each having two turbines. Each of the turbines employs two rotors coaxially aligned by a shaft associated with an in-line generator. Alternatively, the turbine employs only one rotor for low wind areas. 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 a radius increasing with distance from the rotor. The modules may be stacked vertically stacked which allows for yaw responsive to wind. The modules may be mounted on a tower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage vacuum pump having a plurality of compression stages 12, 14, 16, 18 20 and a booster stage 22. The pump 10 is arranged to pump a chamber 24. The pumping stages include respective rotors supported for rotation on one or more common drive shafts 26. A recirculation valve 28 is associated with the booster stage 22 for selective recirculation of pumped fluid from an outlet 32 to an inlet 30 of the booster stage above a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aircraft comprising: a first propulsive unit having a first fan with an axis of rotation; and a second propulsive unit local to the first propulsive unit, the second propulsive unit having a second fan with an axis of rotation, wherein the rotational axis of the first fan is proximate to the surface of the aircraft relative to the rotational axis of the second fan such that the first fan ingests boundary layer air when in use.

Abstract: A machine train includes a drive unit, preferably a steam turbine with axial exhaust flow, a geared turbine machine, and an additional compressor. The geared turbine machine has an integrated gear train with a drive pinion for driving turbine machine rotors via a large gear, and an output pinion of a rotational speed reduction power gear for driving the additional compressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact and integrated fan, pump, and heat exchanger system where air-cooling is performed via the fan, liquid cooling is performed via a pump, and heat exchange fins in thermal contact with a fluid channel act as a heat exchanger. Heated fluid is carried inside the fluid channel, where heat therein is conducted to the fins. The air flows around the outside surfaces of the fins so that the heat transfers from the heated fluid into the air stream.

Abstract: A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission for reduced energy consumption is disclosed. A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission configured as a multi-purpose unit (MPU). The MPU recovers energy from the cooling system, exhaust system, ram pressure and the breaking system. The MPU unit is an automatic transmission, supercharger, air compressor for other uses, and starter for the engine using a multi-purpose unit that will eliminate the need for a torque converter or clutch, flywheel, catalytic converter, starter and supercharger. The MPU reduces pollution to near zero and reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the vehicle. The MPU uses two or more in-line compressors to transfer power from the power source, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE) to a turbine or multi-stage turbine that acts as an automatic transmission. The pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission system uses plug-in power as a second source of power.

Abstract: The apparatus for use of flow energy has elongated circumferential elements (18) with incident-flow surfaces (34, 35) facing the flow, which elements (8) are connected parallel to one another at intervals to form a rotating cage (1) or to form a strip, which is circumferential on a guide and in which they form crossbars, and the rotation axis or deflection axes is or are arranged transversely to the flow direction, with the elements (8) each having two incident-flow surfaces (34, 35). The two incident-flow surfaces (34, 35) may have the capability to swivel into the direction facing the wind by rotation of the elements (8) when the rotor (1) or strip is running. Outside the rotating cage (1), the apparatus may be provided with essentially radially aligned guide walls (22), and the rotor (1) and the walls (22) may be provided with a roof (24) in the form of a flat truncated cone.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a housing, a first frame, a second frame, at least one driving device, a supporting device, an active impeller and a passive impeller. The housing has an air-flowing channel, and the first frame and second frame are disposed at opposite sites of the air-flowing channel. The driving device is disposed on the first frame and actuates the active impeller to rotate. The supporting device is disposed on the second frame and has the passive impeller thereon. The passive impeller is propelled by the airflow generated by the active impeller.

Abstract: An axial flow fan including a rotation shaft section to be mounted on the rotation shaft of rotation drive means, an inner blade group provided outside the rotation shaft section so as to be coaxial therewith, and an outer blade group provided outside the inner blade group so as to be coaxial therewith, wherein the inner blade group is formed of a plurality of inner blades provided radially around the rotation shaft section, the outer blade group is formed of a plurality of outer blades provided radially around the rotation shaft section, and the velocity V1 of the wind generated by the inner blade group and the velocity V2 of the wind generated by the outer blade group have a relationship of 1.5V1<V2 by designing the blades of the inner blade group and the outer blade group with respect to number, area, angle and shape.

Abstract: A system, including a rotary machine including: a stator, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of blades having a non-uniform spacing about a circumference of the rotor.

Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.

Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.

Abstract: A hybrid turbo transmission for reduced energy consumption is disclosed. A hybrid turbo transmission configured as a multi-purpose unit (MPU). The MPU recovers energy from the cooling system, exhaust system, ram pressure and the breaking system. The MPU unit is an automatic transmission, supercharger, air compressor for other uses, and starter for the engine using a multi-purpose unit that will eliminate the need for a torque converter or clutch, flywheel, catalytic converter, starter and supercharger. The MPU reduces pollution to near zero and reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the vehicle. The MPU uses two or more in-line compressors to transfer power from the power source, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE) to a turbine or multi-stage turbine that acts as an automatic transmission. The hybrid turbo transmission system uses plug-in power as a second source of power.

Abstract: A connection structure is applied to a serial fan assembly, which includes an upstream fan and a downstream fan. The upstream fan and the downstream fan have different sizes. The connection structure connects the upstream fan and the downstream fan so that the upstream fan and the downstream fan are arranged in series. The connection structure has a housing, a base and a plurality of ribs for connecting the base, and the housing is formed with an air guiding passage and a chamber. The upstream fan or the downstream fan is accommodated in the chamber or the air guiding passage is located between the upstream fan and the downstream fan.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for generating high pressure air. The device comprises a block having an external surface and an internal surface, said internal surface defining an internal cavity in said block. A rotor located inside said cavity is capable of rotating about under the influence of wind energy. The block is capable of moving relative to the rotor in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor so as to vary the position of the rotor within the cavity. A plurality of vanes extend from the rotor, and are coupled to the rotor in such a manner that, in every position that the block is capable of adopting relative to the rotor, the rotor is capable of rotating within the cavity while maintaining a seal between each vane and the internal surface of the block. There is a gas inlet channel and a gas outlet channel on an opposite side of the block to the gas inlet channel.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly (90) closely couples a fan-turbine rotor assembly (25) and an axial compressor rotor (46) to reduce the overall engine length and minimizes the number of engine bearings.

Abstract: An axial turbine (1) has a plurality of expansion stages (2) each defined by stator blades (13) and rotor blades. The expansion stages (2) are followed by an exhaust diffuser (4) for collecting the flow passing through the expansion stages (2) and discharging it to the outside. The expansion stages (2) and/or the diffuser (4) have at least a non-axial symmetric portion. The stator blades (13) define different openings (17) along the circumference of the turbine.

Abstract: A turbomolecular pump has multiple stages of alternately arranged rotors and stators. Each of the rotors has blades radially extending from a rotating body. Each of the stators has blades radially extending toward the rotating shaft of the rotating body. The blades provided on at least either of a rotor and a stator are formed in a twisted shape having a blade angle set by an expression in which the radial distance from the rotating shaft is a variable. The expression of the blade angle is composed of a first expression which provides the optimum angle of each blade on the outer side of a predetermined radius of the blade and also composed of a second expression which provides the blade angle suppressing, on the inner side of the predetermined radius, reverse flow of gas molecules.

Abstract: This is related to a fan including a casing, a first impeller structure, a second impeller structure, and at least one driving device. The casing has an outlet and an air-containing portion having an entrance and an exit provided inside the casing. The first impeller structure and the second impeller structure are installed inside the casing, and include a first blade set and a second blade set, respectively. The first blade set is located corresponding to the entrance of the air-containing portion. The second blade set is located corresponding to the exit of the air-containing portion. The driving device drives the first and second impeller structures.

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: A pump system (1) is provided for the pumping of multiphase mixtures which includes a pumping apparatus (3) for multiphase mixtures with at least one liquid phase and at least one gaseous phase. The pumping apparatus (3) contains one or more axial compression stages with one respective axial impeller each and one or more pumping stages with a respective one radial impeller each which are arranged adjoining the axial compression stage or stages, wherein the pump system (1) additionally includes a separator (2) at the inlet side of the pumping apparatus (3) to separate a portion of the gaseous phase and wherein the pumping apparatus (3) is configured for delivery heads larger than 50 m.

Abstract: A fire fighting pump and operation thereof and a fire fighting system and a fire engine, wherein the pump includes a housing, a motor mounted inside the housing and two or more stages of series-connected impeller assemblies. A water inlet is provided on the housing between the motor and the impeller assemblies. The impeller assemblies are mounted on the impeller shaft coaxially and in series with each other. The impeller shaft is fixed on the motor shaft or is coaxial with the latter. The impeller assembly includes a thruster, an impeller, an end cover and a retaining ring on the periphery of the thruster and the impeller, and those four elements are installed in turn. Several first blades are provided in the thruster and several second blades which correspond with the first blades in amount and location are provided in the impeller.

Abstract: A propulsion or pumping device which includes two counter-rotating shafts (3, 4) each carrying at least one impeller (7, 8), wherein each impeller (7, 8) can deflect by a predetermined amount in directions substantially perpendicular t to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (3, 4) on which the impeller (7, 8) is mounted.

Abstract: The apparatus for use of flow energy has elongated circumferential elements (18) with incident-flow surfaces (34, 35) facing the flow, which elements (8) are connected parallel to one another at intervals to form a rotating cage (1) or to form a strip, which is circumferential on a guide and in which they form crossbars, and the rotation axis or deflection axes is or are arranged transversely to the flow direction, with the elements (8) each having two incident-flow surfaces (34, 35). The two incident-flow surfaces (34, 35) may have the capability to swivel into the direction facing the wind by rotation of the elements (8) when the rotor (1) or strip is running. Outside the rotating cage (1), the apparatus may be provided with essentially radially aligned guide walls (22), and the rotor (1) and the walls (22) may be provided with a roof (24) in the form of a flat truncated cone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas turbine engine comprising a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine section installed one after the other in series in the direction of the air and gas flow, wherein the compressor consists of two groups of blade wheels rotating in opposite directions to each other. The deviation of the performance defined as “air mass flow per second” between both compressor groups is minimized and a detachment of the air mass flow from the blades is substantially eliminated. The blade wheels of the second compressor group, beginning at the first blade wheel, are progressively bigger to allow a bypass for the air stream coming from the first compressor group to serve all the blade wheels of the second group essentially simultaneously.

Abstract: Improvements to wind farms and wind generators for harnessing wind energy or generating electricity from wind. Secondary wind turbines are provided at particular locations within a wind farm to generate additional electricity, in some embodiments, using a common electrical power collection system. Enclosures or venturis may surround wind turbines to facilitate mounting close to the ground. Venturis may accelerate wind speed through the turbine and may have a particular shape, may be made of particular materials arranged in particular ways, or both. In different embodiments, wind turbines may be axial-flow horizontal-axis turbines, or may be Savonius turbines, as examples. And in some embodiments, wind turbines may be combined with other power production equipment, such as solar power equipment, for instance.

Abstract: A water propulsion unit having an intake housing, a pump housing and an outlet with two spaced apart counter rotating impellers being located in the pump housing. The impeller blades on one impeller have an opposite pitch to the blades of the second impeller. The impellers are configured so that one of the impellers will impart less energy to the water as it passes the blades of the impeller than the second impeller.

Abstract: A liquid turbine device including a turbine wheel, in which the turbine wheel includes more than one set of blades in radial succession.

Abstract: A method for modifying a multistage compressor (101) involves exchanging the rotor blades of the first compressor rotor blade row (LA1) for modified rotor blades which have an identical blade leaf profile (121) to the original rotor blades and the blade angle (B?11) of which is different from the blade angle (B?10) of the original rotor blades. Furthermore, the blades of at least one further blade row (LAN, LEN) arranged downstream of the second compressor stage are exchanged for modified blades which have an identical blade leaf profile (125, 126) to the original blades and the blade angle (B?N1, B?N1) of which is different from the blade angle (B?NO, B?NO) of the original blades. The method makes it possible to increase the mass flow of a compressor and essentially maintain the stability reserve against stall.

Abstract: A device for effecting heat transfer to rotating equipment, in particular gas turbines, is provided. A gas turbine (10) comprises a first rotating unit (11), i.e. an internal shaft and a second fixed unit (16), i.e. a housing. A third rotating unit (14, 17), i.e. rotor blades and plates connected to the rotor blades are disposed between the first unit (11) and the second unit (16). The first (11) and third (14, 17) units are rotatable around a common axis (12) and with respect to each other. At least one device (21) for improving heat transfer by convection is assigned to the first rotating unit (11), i.e. the internal shaft.

Abstract: A lift-type wind turbine having a substantially vertical rotating shaft and a plurality of substantially vertical blades secured to the shaft. Each blade includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a pivot axis pivotally securing the rear and front portions. The rear portion pivots relative the front portion. The blades additionally include bottom and top edges positioned on each of the front portions. Each bottom edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a first circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft, whereas each top edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a second circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft. The blades are angled relative to the rotating shaft. The blades have an open, drag means position as well as a closed, lift means position, and passively switch between the positions based on wind speed for efficient rotation.

Abstract: A propulsion or pumping device which includes two counter-rotating shafts (3, 4) each carrying at least one impeller (7, 8), wherein each impeller (7, 8) can deflect by a predetermined amount in directions substantially perpendicular t to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (3, 4) on which the impeller (7, 8) is mounted.

Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.

Abstract: A gas turbine with contrarotating HP and LP turbines comprises an LP turbine having a plurality of moving wheels alternating with nozzles, the moving wheels of the LP turbine rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the moving wheel of the HP turbine, and an inter-turbine casing having inner and outer casing walls defining a stream passage between the HP and LP turbines together with arms extending across the passage between the inner and outer casing walls. The gas turbine does not have a nozzle or device for forming the function of deflecting the stream between the outlet from the HP turbine and the first moving wheel of the LP turbine. The HP turbine is advantageously designed to deliver a stream that gyrates in the inter-turbine casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum pumps and a method for creating and maintaining a high vacuum. A vacuum pump includes a regenerative section and a turbo-molecular section. A common first rotor carries forward-rotating elements of both the regenerative section and the turbo-molecular section. Additionally, a second rotor carries counter-rotating elements of the turbo-molecular section. A first drive rotates the first rotor in a forward rotational direction while a second drive rotates the second rotor in a counter-rotational direction. The drives may be controlled to drive the common first rotor on start-up, and to later drive the second rotor.

Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbine and a compressor with a variable vane structure wherein the exhaust gas turbocharger comprises a housing and a compressor wheel which is connected to an exhaust gas turbine wheel via a shaft, the compressor has a radial inflow flow passage in which a variable vane structure or throttle device is arranged upstream of the compressor wheel and another vane structure is arranged in the radial flow passage downstream of the compressor wheel in the direction of flow.

Abstract: An ultra-high speed vacuum pump evacuation system includes a first stage ultra-high speed turbofan and a second stage conventional turbomolecular pump. The turbofan is either connected in series to a chamber to be evacuated, or is optionally disposed entirely within the chamber. The turbofan employs large diameter rotor blades operating at high linear blade velocity to impart an ultra-high pumping speed to a fluid. The second stage turbomolecular pump is fluidly connected downstream from the first stage turbofan. In operation, the first stage turbofan operates in a pre-existing vacuum, with the fluid asserting only small axial forces upon the rotor blades. The turbofan imparts a velocity to fluid particles towards an outlet at a high volume rate, but moderate compression ratio. The second stage conventional turbomolecular pump then compresses the fluid to pressures for evacuation by a roughing pump.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) which is coupled to an air extraction or air supply fan. The VAWT is located above and is coupled coaxially to the fan. The fan assembly also includes an auxiliary turbine to provide start-up torque to initiate rotation of the VAWT. The VAWT is typically a Darrieus-type turbine and the auxiliary turbine is typically a Savonius-type turbine. In the preferred embodiments, the fan assembly includes a rotational speed governor to avoid damage to the turbine and/or fan in high winds.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller and method of operation thereof are presented. The fluid flow controller may include a casing having a casing blade. The fluid flow controller may also include a rotor having a first rotor blade and a second rotor blade radially spaced from the first rotor blade. The rotor may be configured to rotate relative to, and preferably within, the casing such that the casing blade passes between the first and second rotor blades during use. Compared to conventional pumps or compressors, the present fluid flow controller may have an enhanced ability to accelerate (and possibly to subsequently pressurize) fluid flow. Thus, the need to use multiple stages may be reduced or eliminated.