Abstract: A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

Abstract: An exemplary anti-torque system for a helicopter includes two or more electric fans rotatably mounted on a tail boom, the two or more electric fans rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tail boom.

Abstract: An actuator rod assembly for a blade pitch control system is provided herein. The actuator rod assembly includes a tubular outer rod and an inner rod. The outer rod has a first end and a second end. The inner rod has a first end and a second end and extends through the tubular outer rod. The inner rod is tensioned against the tubular outer rod so as to place the outer rod in compression.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial system includes an elongated fuselage having first and second rotational degrees of freedom. A forward propulsion assembly is disposed at the forward end of the fuselage. The forward propulsion assembly includes a forward rotor hub assembly rotatably coupled to the fuselage and reversibly tiltable about a first gimballing axis to provide a first moment on the fuselage in the first rotational degree of freedom. An aft propulsion assembly is disposed at the aft end of the fuselage. The aft propulsion assembly includes an aft rotor hub assembly rotatably coupled to the fuselage and reversibly tiltable about a second gimballing axis to provide a second moment on the fuselage in the second rotational degree of freedom. The first gimballing axis is out of phase with the second gimballing axis to control the orientation of the fuselage.

Abstract: A perpendicular axis turbine having at least two blades, wherein the blades are longitudinally offset with respect to one another, reducing the effects of blade-vortex interaction and providing increased power generation. In one embodiment, the blades are longitudinally offset such that the attachment point of one blade is halfway between the attachment points for the other blade.

Abstract: Embodiments of a propulsion system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a propulsion system for an aircraft may include an electrical power supply; a motor coupled to the electrical power supply, wherein the electrical power supply provides power to the motor; and a fan disposed proximate a rear portion of an aircraft and rotatably coupled to the motor, wherein the fan is driven by the motor.

Abstract: The present invention includes an anti-torque assembly for a helicopter comprising a plurality of fixed blade pitch motors mounted on one or more pivots on the tail boom of the helicopter, wherein the plurality of fixed blade pitch motors on the one or more pivots are adapted to be oriented substantially in-plane with a tail boom of a helicopter during a first mode of operation that comprises a hover mode and wherein the fixed blade pitch motors are adapted to be oriented substantially off-plane from the tail boom of the helicopter during a second mode of helicopter operation that is different from the first mode.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a mounting system for mounting the device in a fluid, an axle fixed to the mounting system, a solid walled hollow body that rotates about the axle having axial symmetry about a longitudinal axis. The solid walled hollow body may be substantially rounded at the front, expanding to a maximum diameter less than half the distance from the front end to the back end, and tapering radially along the longitudinal axis to the back end. The energy device may further comprise a plurality of blades on the exterior of the hollow body, each blade extending from the front end of the solid walled hollow body to the back end, rising to a maximum height, and having concave and convex walls.

Abstract: A load carrying structure (3) for a multirotor wind turbine (1) is disclosed. The load carrying structure (3) comprises a first load carrying arrangement (4) and a second load carrying arrangement (4), and each load carrying arrangement (4) comprises a primary structure (9) and at least two secondary structures (10), the secondary structures (10) extending on opposing sides of the primary structure (9) between an energy generating unit (5) carried by the load carrying arrangement (4) and an attachment point at a tower structure (2). Gravity acting on the energy generating units (5) causes push in the primary structures (9) and pull in the secondary structures (10), thereby causing preload of the secondary structures (10). The load carrying structure (3) is capable of handling thrust loads.

Abstract: The device is capable of transporting people and goods from one location to another: it includes a circular shaped body, a uniquely designed propeller mounted on the top of the body with propeller blades that produce a low pressure region above the device, the difference between the air pressure on the bottom and the top of the device's body provides the uplift force for holding the device in the air, capable of vertical takeoff and landing; on the surrounding wall, sideways and in back, service propellers are mounted in horizontal direction to help navigate the device; land and sea landing version of the device is disclosed as well; its bottom is extended in order to keep the doors above the water level during floating.

Abstract: A turbomachine, comprising a housing, at least two blade wheels rotatably accommodated by the housing, at least two rotatably arranged blades, which are evenly distributed along a circle of the at least two blade wheels and mounted with an axle parallel to the axis of the corresponding blade wheel. According to the invention, each blade axle is connected to an adjusting element, which can be displaced relative to the shaft of the second blade wheel via a four bar link, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the blade axle and consists mainly of a square arm that is fixed to the axle of the blades, wherein a square arm is articulated to the bottom of the blade wheel, whereas the other end is connected to the end of the first square arm via a connecting axle.

Abstract: A turbomachine, comprising a housing, at least two blade wheels rotatably accommodated by the housing, at least two rotatably arranged blades, which are evenly distributed along a circle of the at least two blade wheels and mounted with an axle parallel to the axis of the corresponding blade wheel. According to the invention, each blade axle is connected to an adjusting element, which can be displaced relative to the shaft of the second blade wheel via a four bar link, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the blade axle and consists mainly of a square arm that is fixed to the axle of the blades, wherein a square arm is articulated to the bottom of the blade wheel, whereas the other end is connected to the end of the first square arm via a connecting axle.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a yoke operably associated with a rotor blade. The yoke includes a first device and a second device that attach the rotor blade to the yoke. The first device is configured to allow transverse movement of the rotor blade about a chord axis and rotational movement about a pitch-change axis. The second device is configured to allow rotational movement of the rotor blade solely about the pitch-change axis. The method includes rotating rotor assembly about a first plane of rotation, while retaining a relatively stiff out-of-plane rotation and a relatively soft in-plane rotation during flight.

Abstract: A wind harnessing system comprises a substantially helical structure including at least a portion of a spiraling groove and at least one energy converter positioned at least partially within the portion of the spiraling groove. In other embodiments, wind grooves formed by adjacent bands which are fixed with respect to one another, carry energy converters which are moveable with respect to these fixed bands.

Abstract: A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine comprises a casing with an inlet and outlet; a rotating shaft positioned within said casing wherein said rotational shaft provides rotational power to a generator; a plurality of impeller blades and guide vane blades arranged in at least one set within an interior of said casing, wherein said set comprises: a plurality of guide vane blades wherein each guide vane blade is affixed to an interior surface of said casing and to a stationary hub surrounding said rotating shaft, wherein a bearing is positioned within said stationary hub and rotationally engages an outer surface of said rotating shaft; and, a plurality of impeller blades affixed to a rotating hub, wherein said rotating hub is affixed to said rotating shaft and rotatable therewith, and wherein said plurality of impeller blades are rotatable within said casing; and, a support engaged with said casing.

Abstract: A sky turbine, having impeller blades with a plurality of panels that can telescope inward and outward. The pitch of the panels can be adjusted, and the pitch of each panel on a blade, passing from the innermost panel to the outermost panel, differs from the pitch of the previous panel by a certain adjustable amount. The sky turbine is preferably mounted above a city at a sufficiently high elevation that air current will be generally faster than just above the ground. In the preferred embodiments, a wing with two pods is pivotally mounted on a tower. Each pod has front and rear shafts, from which four blades extend. Servomotors cause the wing to turn so that its center of symmetry is parallel to the direction the sky is moving, cause the pitch of the panels of the blades to change, and cause the panels of the blades to telescope.

Abstract: A multi-directional air circulation device for use in a living space. The multi-directional air circulation device comprises a first housing having i) a first wall portion defining a first interior space, ii) a first air outlet, and iii) a first air directing grill adjacent to the first air outlet. At least a second housing rotatable with respect to the first housing. The second housing having i) a second a wall portion defining a second interior space, ii) a second air outlet and, and iii) a second air directing grill adjacent to the second air outlet. At least one air generator is placed in the housings and used to generate at least one air stream which is then discharged from said device as at least two independently directed air exhaust streams through the first and second air outlets into said living space.

Abstract: An hydroelectric power plant is disclosed which comprises several combination turbine/generators which are suspended into an ocean current from a submerged tension leg type platform. Each of the turbine/generators are independently positionable horizontally, vertically and azimuthally to take the best advantage of the ocean current at any given time for generating electricity.

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 wind-engine of the type consisting of several wind devices rotatably mounted at several independent stages, which comprises the combination of vertical props (1) disposed within a circle (4); at each stage (2), crossbeams (5) connected, on one hand, to the vertical props (1) and meeting, on the other hand, at the center of the said circle (4); a vertical axis (7) situated at the center of the said circle (4) and, at each stage, a wind device rotatably mounted about the said vertical axis.

Abstract: Turbomill apparatus and method allowing power generation at low velocities of ambient medium, with an anti-stall characteristic of continually rising power output with rising speed at input medium at the same time being rugged to withstand high velocity ambient medium wherein a main rotor receives an input from an ambient medium travelling at a low velocity, a secondary rotor is impacted at least by the ambient medium for the purposes of rotating a tertiary rotor disposed in traveling relationship with regard to the main rotor, the tertiary rotor serving to exhaust the space proximate the output of the main rotor, thereby lowering the pressure at the output of the main rotor, whereby the main rotor can achieve start-up and maintenance of rotation at velocities of the ambient medium which, absent the apparatus of the invention, would be insufficient to cause start-up and continuance of rotation of the main rotor.

Abstract: The wind machine has at least two rotors fixed to a tower. The tower is rotatably supported by a foot bearing at its base and a second bearing positioned below a horizontal stud which supports a pair of rotor units. The second bearing is supported by guy wires and the rotor units can pivot about the stud axis. The wind machine is used to drive a pump and a plurality of wind machines can drive pumps in series or in parallel.

Abstract: A wind-powered prime mover comprising a pair of elongate, vertically extending, laterally spaced parallel rotors with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly projecting circumferentially and longitudinally extending vanes. The rotors are arranged so that the vanes of each rotor projects between adjacent pairs of vanes of the other rotor as the rotors rotate. The rotors are rotatably supported atop a turn-table which turns to dispose the lateral plane on which the axes of the rotors occur at right angle to prevailing wind. Wind directing shrouds are engaged about the lateral outside halves of the rotors and function to direct wind from said outer halves of the rotors laterally inward toward and between the lateral inner halves of the rotors. The windward sides of the shrouds define a wind gate through which wind moves into engagement with the rotors and are pivotally movable to increase and decrease the lateral extent of the wind gate to throttle the wind, as desired.

Abstract: An improved pump for lifting water from an underground source utilizes a wind motor for driving an oil-less air compressor eliminating oil contamination of ground water which is forced to the surface. The wind motor is movable to face the wind by means of a novel swivel assembly which also eliminates the formation and freezing of condensate within the airline from the compressor. The propeller blades of the wind motor and the tail section are formed from a pair of opposed convex air foil shaped surfaces which provide the propeller blades and the tail section with fast sensitivity to slight changes in wind direction and speed. A novel well tower for supporting the wind motor and compressor and for lifting the water from the underground source is an optional modification which requires no welding and eliminates the problem of condensate freezing in the airline going to the well.

Abstract: A marine propeller system comprising three individual elements, two of which are propellers mounted on a common shaft driven by a prime mover and the third being a cylindrical tube surrounding and movable relative to the two propellers, the tube having its interior surface in the form of a pair of equal and opposing truncated cones meeting midway of the ends of the tube. The rearward propeller is conventionally keyed to the driven shaft and fast thereon and the forward propeller is axially movable on the shaft and is arranged to be driven by the rearward propeller whereby, depending upon hydraulic pressures within the cylinder, the forward or driven propeller is shiftable relative to the rearward or driving propeller to maintain a spiral discharge from the cylinder with annular wake influence lines and substantially free of cavitation regardless of vessel load or speed.

Abstract: A fluid driven turbine includes a central rotor having a plurality of wind blades mounted circumferentially around the axis of the rotor and arranged to define a general spiral configuration extending along the axis of the rotor in a predominant fluid flow direction. The hub is spherically shaped to force the fluid outward with an increase in velocity into engagement with the blades.

Abstract: A wind power system driven by multiple rotary devices strung on a cable.

Abstract: Yaw track means for fluid impact impellers of a Toroidal Accelerator Rotor Platform (TARP) providing for revolution or yaw motion about a vertical centroidal TARP axis to a plurality of interconnected impact impellers supported and guided on said track means within the TARP's peripheral fluid flow augmentor channel. Said impact impellers, which may provide shaft output to electric generators, may actuate the yawing motion on said track means from a steady state position via differential forces acting upon said impellers, from directionally shifting flow impacting a TARP. Impeller yaw response motion will subsequently vector said impellers on said track means into a new steady state and impeller thrust force-balanced position within the TARP peripheral flow field for best energy recovery and energy extraction from said flow field.

Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electricity from the flow of water currents uses turbine wheels within nozzles submerged in the water current, anchored to the bottom of the water course, as for example, the ocean, and self-buoyed to a level well below the water surface. Pairs of counter-rotating turbines are supported by their rims, which bear against friction drive wheels, which in turn drive electrical generators contained in water-tight machine rooms within the wall of the nozzle. A structural design is disclosed, providing for the building of modules of the nozzle ashore, which modules may then be barged to the deep-water site for assembly into the whole power plant.

Abstract: A windmill structure including a mounting for supporting one or a large number of windmills in an elevated position above the ground so that the windmills can weathercock and align with the wind. The mounting arrangement limits movement continuously in one direction and returns the windmill to its original position after it has turned in the same direction a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A horizontal wind powered electrical generator is disclosed in which a horizontal reaction turbine is disposed within an augmentor cowling which extends downwind of the turbine. First stage curved stator blades interconnect the augmentor with the turbine cowling, and secondary stator blades are spaced downwind from said primary stator blades to extend inwardly from the augmentor to terminate short of the turbine cowling. These secondary stator blades have a greater angle of departure than the primary stator blades to increase the rotational velocity of the air at the expense of its axial velocity while permitting the axial velocity of the air moving inwardly of the secondary stator blades to be undiminished. A venturi-structured diffusor is carried by said augmentor in a downwind position to lower the pressure generally and assist the action of the secondary stator blades.

Abstract: A windmill structure in which a combined structure of sails and electrical generator device is pivotally suspended so that the position of the combined structure may be shifted in accordance with the wind velocity.

Abstract: A wind driven engine comprising a base, a housing which is rotatably mounted on the base, and two vertical rotors which are rotatably mounted in the housing and which are substantially enclosed by the housing. The blades of the vertical rotors overlap. An air diverter is centrally mounted inside the housing and in front of the rotors so as to divert air entering the housing onto the blades of the rotors which are adjacent the sides of the housing. The air diversion results in contradirectional rotation of the rotors, i.e., one rotor rotates clockwise and the remaining rotor rotates counterclockwise. An air vent is centrally placed in the housing above the air diverter to evacuate air from behind the air diverter. The vent is enclosed by an air shield which aids the evacuation of air through the vent. The contradirectionally rotating rotors are mechanically joined to an energy receiving system so as to be substantially self-timing and torque-free.

Abstract: Wind driven rotors are affixed along the length of a flexible power shaft, and the shaft is suspended at a great height above the earth by means of a swivel. The lowermost end of the shaft is connected to rotate a ground supported energy conversion device. The winds aloft impart rotational motion into the wind rotors, whereupon the rotational energy of the shaft is converted into electrical power or other form of power by the conversion device. The swivel allows the rotating shaft to be affixed to a nonrotating suspension device. The suspension device is ground supported and includes a member having opposed ends anchored to the top of two towers or two spaced apart mountains, with the generator being placed therebetween.

Abstract: First and second windmill wheels are mounted on and non-rotatably connected by shaft means, which define a vertical axis. Each of said windmill wheels has rigidly interconnected vanes, which are adapted to return opposite to the direction of the wind. Said two windmill wheels define axially outermost flight circle planes which intersect at an acute angle. The vanes of each of said windmill wheels are adapted to describe an orbital line, which is tangent to a corresponding orbital line described by the vanes of the other windmill wheel at an apex, which is disposed between said flight circle planes. Control means are operable to move said windmill wheels relative to each other so as to move said apex about said vertical axis and thus to vary said angle when measured in a vertical plane that is at right angles to the direction of the wind.

Abstract: Apparatus for deriving a rotational motion from air currents including first and second coaxial annular members spaced from each other along their axes by axial struts and a plurality of blade assemblies carried by the struts. In a preferred embodiment, the annular members are formed of circular I beams and the apparatus is supported for rotation about the axes of the annular members by rollers engaging the web of the I beams. The rollers may be carried by first and second posts with one of the posts being rotatable about the other such that the apparatus can accommodate changing wind directions. The blade assemblies may include an impeller hingedly secured to a cross-beam extending between adjacent struts with each impeller being individually spring biased to present more or less surface to the air current, dependent on its velocity.

Abstract: A wind-driven generator having a plurality of rotors each having a rim in frictional engagement with a power take-off drum which is mounted on the shaft of an electrical generator, and in which the rotor rims are pressed against the drum by the wind force on the rotors and with a reduced force which varies as a positive function of the wind force.

Abstract: A wind motor having a double set of rotor blades of special configuration mounted between a central hub and an outer rim. The front rotor has an extending shroud protruding well in front of the blades for capturing the prevailing wind. The center of the rotor is solid with the blades at the center being configured so as to be substantially at right angles to the wind flow and thus form a substantially solid area at the center of the rotor. The specially configured blades angle away from the center hub with a backward tilt of approximate 10.degree.. Also, the blades twist so that the portion attached to the rim or shroud of the device present an air foil effect with tip structure for the leading edge being approximately 45.degree. from the axis while the trailing edge is similarly at approximately a 45.degree. angle in the opposite plane.

Abstract: A wind power converter comprising: a pair of rotatable turbines with elongated curved blades disposed within a rotatable housing on axially parallel shafts, the curvature of the blades of one turbine being opposite to the curvature of the blades of the second turbine so that wind passing between said turbines will rotate the turbines in opposite directions; the housing comprising shaft-supporting sections at the ends of the turbines, lateral sections connecting the end sections, a pair of wind deflectors disposed between the end sections and extending from adjacent edges of the lateral sections toward the midpoint between the turbines and terminating approximately the same distance from each other as the distance between the turbine shafts, and a pivotally mounted vertically disposed vane extending from a portion of the housing opposite to the wind deflectors; said rotatable housing being supported on a vertically disposed central shaft and on a plurality of beams radiating therefrom with the free end of each

Abstract: A tethered wind-driven floating power plant which includes a support body carrying at least one rotor assembly, a current generator coupled to the rotor and alignment assembly for aligning the rotor to face into the wind, a ground anchor and at least one captivating stay connecting the floating power plant to the anchor. The support body is hollow and gas-filled to carry its own weight as well as the weight of the rotor assembly, current generator and alignment assembly. The support body is connected to the captivating stay through a joint connection having three degrees of freedom. The rotors are gimbal-mounted, at a variable relative position with respect to the support body but in fixed positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A windmill having a plurality of pairs of diametrically opposed vanes mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in alignment with the wind. The pairs of vanes are supported in uniformly spaced relationship to each other axially of the axis of rotation and each successive pair is indexed circumferentialy in the direction of rotation relative to the prior pair. The vanes are automatically moved to a less efficient position as the speed of the wind increases to limit the maximum speed of the windmill.

Abstract: A mechanical drive actuated by wind has propellers rotatably mounted on a vertical standard which is rotatably fastened to the deck of a ship. The rotational force of the propellers is transmitted by a series of shafts to drive the ship's screw. The vertical standard may be rotated to take full advantage of the prevailing winds.