Abstract: A system of operating a wind turbine that is capable of extending electricity production, such as in low and high wind speed environments. In accordance with various embodiments, a wind turbine speed maintenance system has a wind turbine with at least one turbine blade that has a trailing edge with a speed feature. The speed feature is connected to a controller and a pressure vessel, the controller selectively activating the speed feature in response to the turbine blade reaching a predetermined radial velocity.

Abstract: An impeller arrangement comprises an impeller 10 having at least one first vane surface 26 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a first rotary direction, at least one second vane surface 28 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a second, opposite rotary direction, and a valve 34 operable to control the supply of fluid to the first and second vane surfaces 26, 28.

Abstract: In an exemplary variable area nozzle, a fixed duct section has an inlet and an outlet oriented approximately perpendicular to the inlet. A controllable nozzle member is disposed adjacent the outlet of the fixed duct section. The controllable nozzle member has an area that is adjustable to maintain a substantially constant nozzle pressure ratio. The controllable nozzle member may include first and second flap doors hinged and pivotable in opposite directions between an open position and a closed position and that also may be hinged and pivotable in a same direction so thrust from gas exiting the nozzle is vectorable. When disposed in rotor tips of an aircraft capable of rotary wing flight and fixed wing flight, the variable area nozzle may maintain a substantially constant nozzle pressure ratio near an optimized nozzle pressure ratio as the aircraft transitions from rotary wing flight to fixed wing flight.

Abstract: A control valve assembly (10) controls the flow of water to and from a treatment tank (16) and the regeneration of the treatment material therein. A housing of the valve assembly includes connections for a tank inlet and tank outlet, An inlet chambers (60), outlet chamber (34), a pressure-operated inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (32). A pair of venturi chambers (81a, 81b) are configured to provide co-current and counter-current regeneration. A regeneration control subsystem includes a turbine (104) and a nozzle impinging thereon to produce rotation. An external port (130) receives fluid to provide a driving for the turbine in order to initiate regeneration. A bypass chamber (60) communicates with the inlet chamber (15). The inlet valve (24) has dual seating surfaces for controlling the communication between the inlet chamber, transfer chamber (70) and tank inlet (26).

Abstract: A rotary jetting tool including a pressure-balanced rotor, which is achieved using a vented volume. Axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing caused by pressure imbalances acting on the rotor selectively uncovers or opens a vent that places the volume in fluid communication with an ambient volume, enabling the rotor to achieve a pressure balanced condition. A plurality of radial clearance seals between the rotor and the housing are used to provide hydrodynamic bearings to reduce friction between the rotor and housing. The diameters of the seals are manipulated to facilitate pressure balancing of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a centrifugal brake configured to control a maximum rotational speed of the rotor. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the rotor in an axial direction, enabling a relatively large upstream settling chamber to be incorporated into the rotor, thereby reducing inlet turbulence and improving jet quality.

Abstract: Pressurized gas turbine engine with efficiency enhanced by an electrothermodynamic power convertor. The turbine has peripheral nozzles which are supplied with pressurized gas or pressurized liquid by internal nozzle gas ways. Pressurized liquid is flashed by the nozzles. The electrothermodynamic power convertor has a collector plate which envelopes the turbine engine expansion chamber and a charged screen which is positioned radially between the gas nozzles and the collector plate. Collector plate insulation is affixed between the collector plate and the walls of the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A turbine tool design with a number of innovative aspects which may be incorporated into the tool individually or as a group. One aspect relates to improved speed control, based on an elastically deformable governor member disposed within the rotating impeller assembly and having a substantially uniform cross-section. Another aspect relates to a overspeed safety configuration that employs secondary, or “retro”, nozzles that are enabled when the elastically deformable governor member is removed from the impeller assembly. Another aspect relates to routing the motive fluid exhaust through the operator-adjustable throttle assembly. Still another aspect relates to an approach to axially preloading the bearings supporting the rotating shaft of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: A steam-powered rotary engine is provided in which a rotor arm assembly and an outer ring are positioned such that steam ejected from outlets at the two ends of the rotor arm assembly will impact at a substantially right angle onto steps or depressions formed on the inner portion of the outer ring. Both the rotor arm assembly and the outer ring are mounted or supported in a freely rotatable manner on a housing or frame. The ejection of the steam from the rotor arm causes the rotor arm to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the exiting steam. The reaction of the steam impacting the steps causes the outer ring to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the rotor arm. Power take-off devices are provided to use the rotational movement of the rotor arm and the outer ring to generate electricity.

Abstract: A pressurized gas turbine engine is disclosed which utilizes a new turbine design. Pressurized gas is supplied by nozzle gas ways in the turbine to gas nozzles affixed to the perimeter of the turbine. The gas nozzles may be recessed in the turbine perimeter or extend from the turbine perimeter. The gas nozzles may be equipped with gas exit cones to enhance the efficiency of the nozzles. The axis of the nozzles have an oblique angle with the direction of rotation of the turbine. Pressurized gas is supplied to the nozzle gas ways through one or more shaft gas ways in the turbine shaft, or is supplied through engine gas ports in the front wall of the turbine engine to gas supply zones which are hydraulically separated by seal rings on the front face of the turbine, each gas supply zone being hydraulically connected to one or more nozzle gas ways.

Abstract: A braking mechanism for a rotary apparatus having a housing adapted to receive a pressurized fluid and a rotor rotatably mounted in the housing. The braking mechanism enables the rotor to rotate in the housing in response to the receipt of the pressurized fluid and inhibits the rotor from rotating in the absence of the receipt of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The air motor of the present invention has an air chamber for taking compressed air in a rotor body fitted to a rotary shaft, forms a jet hole opening in the tangential direction of the rotor on the periphery of the rotor, jets compressed air from the jet hole, and gives torque to the rotor by the reaction of the jetted air. An air reservoir is installed between the air chamber and the jet hole which are connected to the air reservoir. When the load of the air motor increases, the speed of the rotor instantaneously decreases. However, the decreased speed immediately increases because a lot of compressed air stored in the air reservoir continuously jets from the jet hole.

Abstract: A governor device for controlling the speed of rotary devices is disclosed. The governor device is a valve operated by centrifugal force to control a pressurized fluid through the nozzles of a turbine rotor. The valve comprises a rotary chamber having an opening outwardly of a resilient valve member therein, the resilient valve member being movable by centrifugal force to control flow through said annular chamber, said annular chamber being part of the passageway of the pressurized fluid flow through said turbine rotor nozzles.

Abstract: A speed governor for engines which comprises a rotary hollow shaft receiving exhaust fluid at one end, a conduit and nozzle assembly connected at the other end of the rotary hollow shaft and including a needle valve, a turbine housing in which at least one turbine disposed on after another in the flow path of said exhaust fluid, a turbine drive shaft associated with said turbine, respectively, a movable annular member disposed about said rotary hollow shaft for movement in the axial direction of the rotary hollow shaft and a spring-loaded link connected to said needle valve at one end and engaging said annular member at the other end.

Abstract: A multiple stage energized fluiel flywheel is contained within a housing. An axially extending shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. Fluid is introduced into the unit through an initial axial flow section and further pressure increases are experienced in a radial blower section and an annular squirrel cage section peripherally arranged about the radial blower. Pressurized fluid discharged from the squirrel cages is directed to either a peripheral exhaust ring which discharges pressurized fluid to the reservoir interior or to an adjacent hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes a rotor which is secured to the stator section of the initial axial pumping section. The axial shaft, radial blower, squirrel cage and exhaust section rotate as a unit in one direction of operation. The hydraulic motor and axial pumping section stator rotate as a unit in the opposite direction of rotation. The flywheel may operate using air, hydraulic fluid or other motive fluids.

Abstract: A reaction engine driven electrical generating system comprising an electrical generator having an armature and a reaction engine driven to rotate the armature for generating electricity. The reaction engine drive includes a generally cylindrical housing with an internal truncated cone which internally divides the housing into two sections. A drive shaft extends generally horizontally into the housing and a reaction force rotation unit carrying a plurality of reaction engines is mounted upon the drive shaft. An enlarged air port is fashioned within one end of the housing and cooperates with an air inlet disc fixedly connected to the drive shaft. A plurality of air inlet aperatures extend through the air inlet disc and air conduits connect the inlet aperatures directly to corresponding intakes of said plurality of reaction engines. A monitor is operably connected to the armature or drive shaft and serves to provide a readout of speed of rotation of the drive shaft and generator armature.

Abstract: A rotary device with a speed governor as a part of a centrifugally radially expandable rotor and having radially adjustable prestress means for preselecting the maximum speed at which the governor operates to limit the speed to this maximum. The rotor which contains both torque imparting means and governing means as integral parts is a hollow flexible rotor that expands radially under centrifugal forces to move the sides of the rotor toward each other during increasing centrifugal expansion with increasing speeds of rotation. The rotor also has a fluid valve that is moved toward closed position by the centrifugal expansion to govern the speed of the rotor to a preselected maximum.