Abstract: A fluid flow device is described. A rotor of the fluid flow device has one or more bubbles such as open-ended scoop cups in a rotor disc. The rotor is located in a shroud. In the case of a compressor, the rotor is driven by power and upon rotation, scooping action of the scoop cups generate fluid flow through the rotor. In a power plant configuration, high speed fluid flow drives the rotor and the power is generated on its shaft. In another embodiment, a stator is also provided in the shroud. The stator also has one or more inlet cups and outlet cups to produce desired fluid flows through the stator. In further embodiments, multi-stage fluid flow devices are described in which one or more rotors and stators are alternately located in the shroud which is substantially axially symmetrical.

Abstract: A wind driven electrical power generating apparatus includes an armature. The apparatus also includes a wing secured to the armature. The wing defines a pocket having a hub end and an outer end. The width of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. Moreover, the depth of the pocket monotonically increases from the hub end to the outer end. The wing and the armature produce a relatively large amount of torque during rotation of the armature which is converted to high rotational speed by a gear mechanism thereby driving a generator at a relatively high rotational speed. Such high torque production eliminates the need to rotate the armature at a high rotational speed. Moreover, the configuration of the wing allows the armature to be rotated in the presence of relatively low wind velocities. Hence, the apparatus may be efficiently utilized for electrical power generation in geographic areas which typically experience relatively low wind velocities.

Abstract: A water activity toy with a channel for a stream of water which floats a vessel on the stream. A paddle wheel moves through the water to move the stream. The paddle wheel includes a plurality of blades all on axle stub portions at supports at opposite sides of the channel. Each blade could be above the channel when a vessel floats by. The blade is curved downward around an axis extending from the base edge to the free edge of the blade so that with two oppositely directed blades both oriented to extend along the channel, the middle of the blade would be higher off the water in the channel than the regions of the blades at the axle portions. Each blade also has a cutout at its base edge so that if the blade were oriented upright, the base edge of the blade would be higher off the water in the channel toward the middle of the blade than at the axle portions.

Abstract: A turbine device and a method of driving the turbine device are disclosed. The turbine device includes an admission channel, a turbine, and an injection channel. The turbine device may also include a regulator. The turbine is driven by injecting a primary fluid into the admission channel at a given velocity and simultaneously causing a secondary fluid to flow into the admission channel at a lower velocity. The primary fluid and the secondary fluid form a mixture in the admission channel, which flows toward the turbine. The velocity of the mixture is less than that of the primary fluid, while the mass flow of the mixture is approximately equal to the sum of the mass flows of the primary and secondary fluids. The regulator compares the rotational speed of the turbine to a target speed and regulates parameters associated with the turbine device if the rotational speed of the turbine and the target speed differ by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Liquid mixing impellers particularly designed for the chemical processing industry provide a generally axial flow when rotated in a first direction of rotation and provide a generally radial flow when rotated in the opposite direction of rotation. The blades are formed of sheet material with an edge which leads in the first direction of rotation being defined by a portion of the blade which is folded and turned in a chordwise sense through a limited extent back upon itself. The folded back leading edge forms a rearwardly facing concavity which faces the blade trailing edge. The power number in the radial flow rotation direction substantially exceeds the power number in the axial flow rotation direction.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use in effecting dispersion of a fluid such as a gas in a liquid comprises a rotor having a rotatably driven shaft 18 mounting a series of scoop-shaped blades 20 which are oriented with the mouths 21 of the scoops presented in the direction of rotation of the shaft, each blade being mounted at an angle of attack such that one end of the blade leads the other in the direction of rotation. To eliminate gas cavity formation, each blade is of generally streamlined configuration in section and the ends 30 thereof are generally transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Exercising machine having a vaned fanwheel rotatably mounted on a frame in open air and arranged to absorb energy by rotating the vane blades against ambient air. The fanwheel comprises a hub with a plurality of air vanes which are movable in an orbit around the axis of the hub. Each vane comprises a blade having leading and trailing surfaces. In the preferred example shown, each blade is a semi-cylindrical plate mounted with the hollow, concave side comprising the leading surface, and the streamlined, convex side comprising the trailing surface. The vanes are circumferentially spaced apart to substantially eliminate drafting and stagnant wake regions between blades. The coefficient of drag for the concavo/convex vane blades of this invention are substantially twice that obtained by flat plate vane blades conventionally used. Alternative forms of the invention are illustrated with semi-spherical concavo/convex and semi-cylindrical plano/convex blades. All have in common trailing streamlined convex surfaces.

Abstract: The turbine agitator assembly including a reservoir for liquid, a rotor mounted in the reservoir and with a plurality of radially extending blades, and sparger means for introducing a fluid into liquid in the reservoir. The fluid sparger means and the rotor are so constructed and arranged that, in use, the rotor blades (submerged in the liquid) and/or the liquid flow they generate disperse the sparged fluid. Each of the blades is hollow and has a discontinuous leading edge, only a single trailing edge along an acute angle, no external concave surface and an open radially outer end.

Abstract: An impeller apparatus for dispersing a gas into a liquid in a vessel includes a centrifugal flow turbine, the blades (621) of which are formed with a substantially stream-lined trailing surface terminated by a sharply pronounced spine (63). The blade is formed by a plate-like initial blank being cut to a shape having a central line of symmetry, the blank then being folded along the straight line of symmetry.

Abstract: Construction of impellers of various dimensions are manufactured from tubular hub stock and sheet-like blade stock by cutting a hub of particular length from said hub stock and blades of corresponding length from said blade stock and attaching said blades to said hub. The bore of the hub may be enlarged according to a specified support shaft diameter, and the overall diameter of the impeller may be altered, preferably by trimming ends of the blades prior to mounting on the hub.

Abstract: A blasting wheel is provided with vanes having a relatively concave face to project abrasive particles in a narrow pattern.

Abstract: A fan rotor comprises a housing defining an interior air chamber and includes air inlet openings and an air outlet opening. A rotor blade is rotatably mounted within the chamber and includes a polygonal rotor plate disposed in parallel relation to the sidewalls of the housing and a plurality of channel-shaped blade members secured in perpendicular relation to the perimeter of the rotor plate. The rotor assembly is mounted upon a drive shaft which is rotatably connected to a power source. During rotation of the rotor assembly, air is drawn into the chamber through the inlet openings at a first velocity and is expelled through the outlet opening at a second increased velocity. The increased pressure upon the blade members helps to hold the blades in place upon the perimeter of the rotor plate. A plurality of arcuate air deflection shields extend between the side walls of the housing so as to form a cylindrical cage within the chamber for directing the flow of the air therein.

Abstract: An improved scoop is usable in combination with a wheel providing a rotating peripheral surface with an annular body of liquid supported on that surface and rotating with the wheel. The improvement comprises:(a) The scoop projects partially into the rotating annular body of liquid;(b) The scoop is mounted for rotation about an axis and in a forward direction in response to force transmission to the scoop from liquid entering the scoop;(c) The scoop has an interior surface that is locally curved to turn the entering liquid for discharge from the scoop in a relatively rearward direction; and(d) Substantially the entirety of the scoop interior rearwardly of said interior surface is rearwardly open to the exterior.

Abstract: A combine harvester with a threshing and a separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material and a cleaning device for cleaning threshed and separated grain. The cleaning device comprises a cleaning fan structure with a fan housing and a fan therein. The fan housing comprises a generally cylindrical body extending transversely of the cleaning device with a pair of opposite end walls and an air inlet provided in each end wall and a further air inlet and an air outlet provided in the cylindrical body and extending transversely of the cleaning device.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine wheel comprises a disc, a spindle and blades, each blade having a curved surface configuration in symmetry with respect to a plane which is normal to the spindle and which passes through a mid portion of the axial length of the disc, thereby eliminating the creation of a net axial thrust force caused by an imbalance of the axial component forces of gas flow acting on the blades.

Abstract: A water wheel for providing both flotation and propelling forces. The water wheel includes a disc made up of a pair of side walls spaced apart in their center area and joined at their peripheries to define a cavity. Paddle members are fixed to the outside of the disc, and have a curved working surface for acting against water as the wheel rotates. The leading edge of the paddle members cuts into the water without creating turbulence, and water flow over the rest of the paddle member is smooth.

Abstract: A two-phase power source comprises a rotor; a nozzle having an outlet directed to discharge a two-phase jet for impingement on the rotor to rotate same, the nozzle having means to subdivide flow therein; and means to supply a heated first fluid in liquid state to the nozzle for subdivided flow therein toward said outlet and to supply a second and vaporizable fluid in liquid state to the nozzle to receive heat from the first fluid therein causing the second fluid to vaporize in the nozzle and mix with the first fluid in essentially liquid state to produce said discharging jet.