Abstract: An apparatus and methods according to the present invention provides a human powered catamaran-styled watercraft and methods of configuring and operating the watercraft. The watercraft generally comprises at least one hull in communication with a folding collapsible frame, wherein in the frame comprises a center rack pivotally joining hulls of hull sets to provide for common pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft, thereby the hulls and frame are in further communication through a at least one pivot pad which provides for slidable pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft. A method of folding and reversibly extending the watercraft to provide for optimized storage is provided. A method of operation of the watercraft to provide for articulation of the watercraft is provided.

Abstract: An exemplary pitch link centering tool includes a rod having a longitudinal axis, a front face, a rear face, a first rod end and a second rod end, the first rod end having a first aperture with a first rotational axis, the second rod end having a second aperture with a second rotational axis, a first connector coupled to the first rod end, the first connector having a first slot extending in a first radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a second connector coupled to the second rod end, the second connector having a second slot extending in a second radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis different from the first radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods according to the present invention provides a human powered catamaran-styled watercraft and methods of configuring and operating the watercraft. The watercraft generally comprises at least one hull in communication with a folding collapsible frame, wherein in the frame comprises a center rack pivotally joining hulls of hull sets to provide for common pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft, thereby the hulls and frame are in further communication through a at least one pivot pad which provides for slidable pivoting of the hulls during articulation of the watercraft. A method of folding and reversibly extending the watercraft to provide for optimized storage is provided. A method of operation of the watercraft to provide for articulation of the watercraft is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved vertical axis water turbine assembly (2) for generating rotary power from fluid flow, the water turbine assembly (2) having active blade pitch control. The water turbine assembly (2) comprises a plurality of vertical blades (20) disposed about a vertical assembly axis, each vertical blade (20) having a vertical blade axis and being adapted for movement about said vertical blade axis. The water turbine assembly (2) further includes guide means to control the movement of each of the plurality of vertical blades (20) as the water turbine assembly (2) rotates.

Abstract: A vertical axis windmill comprises three or more frames rotatable in unison about a substantially vertical axis and a plurality of airfoils hingedly affixed to each frame. Each airfoil is able to swing away from its respective frame in a first direction from a closed position to an open position and not able to swing away from its respective frame in a second direction from the closed position.

Abstract: A fluid turbine comprising a rotor, having an axis of rotation, comprising at least two rotor blades disposed at a radius from the axis of rotation, each rotor blade having a pitch axis and a variable pitch angle. The fluid turbine comprises a mechanism operable to control the pitch angle of at least one rotor blade about its pitch axis and to vary the pitch angle of the rotor blade between various pitch angles as the blade moves radially about the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotor for a wind turbine (1), having a rotor hub (8), having at least one rotor blade (9) mounted on the rotor hub (8) so as to be rotatable about a blade axis (11). At least one threaded spindle mechanism (13) is positioned between the rotor hub (8) and the rotor blade (9) and is connected both to the rotor hub (8) and the rotor blade (9). The rotor blade (9) is adapted to be rotated relative to the rotor hub (8) about the blade axis (11) by means of an actuation of the threaded spindle mechanism (13). The threaded spindle mechanism (13) has a drive (22), an actuating element (31), a spindle nut (18) detachably coupled to the actuating element (31), and a threaded spindle (19) which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis (25) thereof by means of the drive (22) and which is detachably coupled to the drive (22), such that the threaded spindle (19) and the spindle nut (18) can be separated from the threaded spindle mechanism (13).

Abstract: A high pressure turbine includes a stator, a rotor, a tangential on-board injector, and a heat shield. The rotor is located downstream of the stator and the tangential on-board injector directs cooling air to the rotor. The heat shield is retained by abutment with the stator and the tangential on-board injector.

Abstract: A impingement cooling system for heavy duty turbines that includes a manifold affixed to a casing of the heavy-duty turbine, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface of the manifold and a blower that provides air flow across the plurality of impingement holes of the manifold to cool the casing of the heavy-duty turbine to control the clearance between a tip of a turbine blade and a shroud of the heavy-duty turbine.

Abstract: This wet compression invention with a vaporizable fluid mist demonstrates major performance improvements over the relevant art in achieving a high degree of saturation, providing sensible cooling, strongly reducing the temperature increase due to compression work, reducing excess diluent air flow for downstream combustion, reducing compression noise, and increasing the achievable compressor pressure ratio.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a turbine includes a substantially enclosed, cylindrical outer housing that is shaped to define an interior cavity into which a rotor is disposed. The rotor includes a main rotatable shaft in coaxial alignment with the outer housing and a plurality of pivotable blades, each blade being connected to the shaft by upper and lower spokes. In use, fluid flow enters into the interior cavity through a selectively enclosable inlet port in the outer housing, applies force to blades within the primary fluid flow path which causes the main shaft to rotate, and exits the interior cavity though a selectively enclosable outlet port in the outer housing. As the main shaft rotates within the outer housing, a control mechanism maintains each blade in a position of limited resistance when located outside the primary fluid flow path in order to maximize efficiency.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a blade, by casting, for a gas turbine. The blade includes an elongate airfoil which extends in a blade longitudinal direction, merges into a blade root at the lower end, has a shroud segment at the blade tip and is pervaded by a single cooling air channel running in the blade longitudinal direction from the blade root to the blade tip. The method includes, during the casting of the blade, the blade material being fed exclusively from the blade root into the mold provided therefor, and the cooling air channel is formed during the casting of the blade by using a single core body, which is provided, at the blade tip, with a local casting cross section increasing element.

Abstract: A multiple of circumferential grooves within said arcuate engine casing and an abradable material located radial inboard of the multiple of circumferential grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for harnessing energy from wind comprises upper and lower continuous-loop trackways defining a continuous loop path and a series of connected, movable wind foils. Each wind foil has a leading edge mast engaging and guided by the upper and lower trackways. Each wind foil is movable between first and second orientations when moving along first and second portions of the path. A second example comprises a support structure having upper and lower closed loop trackways having inner and outer trackway rails and defining a closed loop path which guides a series of connected trolleys. Each trolley has a roller mounted to a roller support. The roller is guided by the rails of the upper and lower trackways. Sail assemblies each have a mast and a sail extending from the mast, with the upper and lower ends of the mast mounted to and supported by upper and lower trolleys.

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 sail wing type windmill includes an output shaft erected vertically, a foundation with a bearing disposed in the center hole provided therein for supporting the output shaft; an axle body with a roller bearing on the top end, while the bottom end thereof being conjoined to the output shaft, and the external surface thereof being formed of several spigots, and provided with an upper and a lower joint flanges; and a rudder assembly turnably conjoined to the top end of the output shaft and consisting of a turn table and a twin vaned tail wing; wherein the turn table is inserted in the center hole of the axle body, the external surface of the turn table is provided with a snaking recessed lead rail terminated into a lead portion. The twin vaned tail ring can automatically and constantly point to the wind direction so as to turn the turn table with the wind force.

Abstract: A diffuser includes an opening along the diffuser wall for preventing or delaying boundary layer separation of the main flow. The opening may include a curved passageway having a curvature convex relative to the main flow for utilizing the Coanda effect. A gas turbine may include the diffuser with an opening and a centerbody with an opening, each for providing a secondary flow of fluid into the diffuser. The gas turbine may direct fluid from an upstream turbine stage to the opening. A steam turbine may include the diffuser and may situate the opening downstream the diffuser inlet but upstream the location of boundary separation.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for contactless sealing between static components and moving components of a gas turbine comprises a gas-permeable, abrasion-tolerant sealing element arranged opposite a sealing tip and secured in a support. In operation, a coolant can flow through the sealing element, for example a honeycomb element, due to its gas permeability, so the sealing element is cooled. A redundant coolant passage opens upstream of the sealing element on the hot-gas side of the assembly, so that coolant emerging therefrom flows over the sealing element on its hot-gas side. If the flow of coolant through the sealing element fails because flow through the sealing element becomes blocked, cooling is taken over by film coolant flowing out of the redundant cooling passage. Coolant mass flow is metered in via feeds, which effect the primary pressure loss in the device. The feeds may be designed as through-openings in an impingement cooling element.

Abstract: A turbine bucket comprising an airfoil portion and a shank portion with a substantially horizontal platform radially therebetween, the shank portion having a forward shank wall and an aft shank wall; at least the aft shank wall convexly curved from one side of the bucket to an opposite side of the bucket.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in: pre-positioning, in a housing (7) of a flange (5), a bucket (2) supported by part (23) of its outer surface (23) against an edge (71) of the housing (7) providing a space (E′) between the convex surface (23B) of the outer radial part (2B) of the bucket (2) and said edge (71); producing an articulated linkage (15) of the bucket (2) on the rim (1) and/or the flange (5) on the inside (2A) of the bucket (2); exerting on the outer radial part (2B) of the bucket (2) a first calibrated force to bring it closer to the edge (71); determining the distance (e) between said outer radial part (2B) and said edge (71) under said force; slackening said force; arranging, between said outer radial part (2B) and said edge (71), a wedge (53) having a thickness substantially equal to said distance (e); and exerting on the outer radial part (2B) of the bucket a second force (F2) to bringing it closer to the edge and maintaining said second force (F2) which has an intensity n

Abstract: A windmill is provided wherein the windmill comprises a central rotating shaft with an upper and a lower end opposite thereto. A blade arm is provided with an inward and an outward end opposite thereto, wherein the inward end of the blade arm is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft. An aerodynamically shaped foil connects to the outward end of the blade arm. A cam frame connects to the central rotating shaft such that the cam frame remains substantially stationary when the central rotating shaft rotates. An outer tilted cam track connects to the cam frame, and an inner tilted cam track connects to the cam frame and is located inside the outer tilted cam track, wherein an axis of tilt of the outer cam track and an axis of tilt of the inner cam frame are transversely aligned.

Abstract: A waterwheel turbine for application in hydropower plants is provided. This turbine exploits primarily the head of the watercourse for energy recovery. The cells of the waterwheel turbine are each provided with a pair of mechanically linked flaps for controlling the inflow of water as well as venting of air. Special control devices permit these installations to be operated at high efficiency.

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: The non-rotating plate of the device is stopped from rotating around the rotor axis by a stop arm with at least one rigid stop track extending substantially axially and secured to the structure of the rotor aircraft. The track works together with a stop pin, integral with the non-rotating plate to stop the latter from rotating. The track has two flanges between which the pin is engaged so as to follow on this track a straight trajectory, parallel to the rotor axis and a circular arc trajectory centered on this axis, in the case of variation in the collective and cyclic pitch respectively. The stop pin includes a pad sliding between the two flanges of a slide constituting the said track and hinged around its fastening axis on the non-rotating plate.

Abstract: A portable fan providing oscillation in two axes. Oscillation may occur simultaneously in two axes, or in one selected axis. Two oscillation mechanisms are provided, each having its own oscillation motor and each being selectively operable independent of the other. Optionally, the main fan motor may be employed to power one oscillation mechanism. The fan has a base for desk top support, or a base and extensible column for floor support, or a bracket for permanent mounting. All embodiments have controls for controlling the fan motor and the oscillation motor or motors, and a limited tilting feature for maintaining the fan blade at an angle to the base or bracket.

Abstract: A cooling and sealing arrangement in a gas turbine engine comprises a seal assembly extending between nozzle guide vanes and combustion chamber discharge nozzles. The nozzle guide vanes have platforms having extensions which in one embodiment overlap the downstream ends of the discharge nozzles. Cooling air is supplied to the upstream edge portions of the platforms through holes in flanges on the discharge nozzles. The seal assembly defines a chamber adjacent the platform extensions which is supplied with cooling air through metering holes in the seal assembly which provides part of a boundary for a cooling air chamber, the boundary of the chamber having cooling air holes for metering cooling air into the chamber to cool the upstream portion of the nozzle guide vane outer platforms. Cooling air exits the chamber through holes in the platform extensions to film cool them.

Abstract: A swiveling electric fan comprising a truncated sphere-shaped housing which encloses a vane member, and a base having a concave or convex spheric top surface with the same diameter as that of the housing, the housing being connected with the base in a swiveling manner, an upper end of the supporting disk being secured to the housing while a lower end thereof extending into the base to connect with and abut against a rotary guiding disk of a swiveling mechanism in a swiveling manner, so that by means of rotating the guiding disk, a shaft section of the supporting disk is rotated in a circular hole of the top surface of the base, the circular hole being larger than the shaft section in diameter, whereby the vane member is made to swivel through an elliptical trace.

Abstract: A swiveling electric fan comprising a truncated sphere-shaped housing which encloses a vane member, and a base having a concave spheric top surface with the same diameter as that of the housing, the housing being connected with the base in a swiveling manner, an upper end of the supporting disk being secured to the housing while a lower end thereof extending into the base to connect with and abut against a rotary guiding disk of a swiveling mechanism in a swiveling manner, so that when the guiding disk rotates, a sleeve section of the supporting disk is rotated in a circular hole of the top surface of the base, the circular hole being larger than the sleeve section in diameter, whereby the vane member is made to swivel through an elliptical trace.

Abstract: An improved windmill has an approximately vertical center support post. The windmill also has a plurality of wheels, each rotatably mounted on a separate horizontal axis, each axis being radially disposed about the center support post. The windmill also has a horizontal annular ring disposed radially about the center support post. The ring is mounted on the wheels so that the ring can rotate about the center support post. The windmill also includes a plurality of approximately horizontal beams. Each beam is radially disposed about the center support post. A first end of each beam is connected to the center support post and a second end of each beam is connected to the annular ring.

Abstract: A vehicle compressed air energy converter has been developed for use along vehicular roadways, railways and airfield runways to collect wind pressure developed by the vehicles, trains and aircraft moving through the atmosphere and convert such air motion to other useful forms of energy. The converter is activated by the force of the compressed air movement entering the converter and pushing the retractable air fins of the converter in a circular motion. That circular motion is transferred to a central shaft set in bearings at either end of a housing. As the multiplicity of air fins held in place by hinges on a circular rotating base move within the converter housing, the fins move into a retracted posture so as to offer less air resistance as they circulate within the portion of the converter not subject to movement of air from the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A compact, rugged, streamline, stiff, pitch control system is devised in a helicopter by concentrically nesting a cyclic pitch control tube and collective pitch control tube within the drive shaft and stationary mast of a helicopter rotor system. The collective pitch control tube terminates in an upper inclined flange which engages a stationary swashplate by means of a bearing member disposed in an inclined bearing raceway in the stationary swashplate. The stationary swashplate in turn is rotatably coupled through a universal joint to the cyclic pitch control tube. Relative rotation of the cyclic pitch control tube with respect to the collective pitch control tube adjusts the stationary swashplate to a selected inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the control tubes and of the helicopter mast. A rotating swashplate is rotatably coupled to the stationary swashplate and transmits the angular orientation of the stationary swashplate to the pitch case of each rotor blade as appropriate.

Abstract: A wind operated generator is disclosed herein having a stationary frame or base rotatably supporting at least four sets of pivotal blades intended to be driven by impinging wind currents. Each set of blades operate in unison for opening and closing air passageways between adjacent ones of the blades as the sets of blades rotate about a common vertical axis. A wind direction sensor is provided which moves into the direction of the wind and electro-mechanical or mechanical interface networks operably couple the wind direction sensor to the respective sets of blades whereby the blades are responsive to wind direction so as to be properly feathered to propel the sets of blades. By employment of the interface network, those blades that are in position to actuate or rotate the windmill will receive the full force of the wind while other blades which are not in a position to accomplish the proper operation will be turned to permit passage of the wind thereby.

Abstract: A rotatable and tiltable wind machine for protection of agricultural growth, the machine being adapted for installation on a selected terrain having a varying contour. The machine includes means for mounting on the terrain, a fan drive assembly on the mounting means rotatable with respect thereto, drive means to rotate the fan and the fan drive assembly, and tilting means for tilting the fan with respect to the mounting means and the terrain while the fan drive assembly is being rotated.