Abstract: A downhole turbine includes a plurality of fins. The plurality of fins have an exit angle that exerts a tangential force on the fin, which imparts a torque on a hub. The fins have an adjustable exit angle that changes in response to changes in the properties of a drilling fluid. The changing exit angle changes the tangential force, which changes the torque on the hub.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an active grille shutter vane for an active grille shutter assembly. The vane comprises: a leading edge and a trailing edge whereby, in use, the vane is configured such that airflow passes around the vane from the leading edge to the trailing edge when the active grille shutter assembly is in an open configuration; and a primary surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The leading edge, primary surface and trailing edge provide a continuous cambered attachment surface for the airflow passing over the primary surface to encourage attachment of the airflow to the vane.

Abstract: A plurality of wind turbine blades or blade portions have substantially the same size and outer geometrical shape, and corresponding plies of the blades or blade portions having the same position within the respective wind turbine blades or blade portions have different fibre orientation angles relative to a pitch axis of the respective wind turbine blade or blade portion. By changing the fibre orientation angles of the corresponding plies a bend-to-twist coupling of the blade or blade portions may be varied amongst the plurality of blades or blade portions. The blades may then be tailored according to their siting within or on a wind turbine park. A common mould shape may be used across the plurality of wind turbine blades or blade portions, together with a more streamlined blade design process.

Abstract: A blade for a ceiling fan can include a first half and a second half formed from a pulp material. The first half is attachable to the second half to form the blade. Additionally, a blade can include a skeleton with an over molding made from a pulp forming the blade. Furthermore, a blade can be formed using a blade base with a pulp topper added to the blade to form an aerodynamic shape for the blade.

Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion device configured for use on a boat has a hub extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of blades, each blade having a blade root attached to the hub and extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis toward a respective blade tip. Each blade has a polymer-based core. Each blade is coated with a metal coating that extends from the blade root radially outwardly toward the blade tip. The blade tips are not coated with the metal coating. A method of manufacturing the propeller is also included.

Abstract: An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly and a method of forming the airfoil assembly, the airfoil assembly having a trunnion, a spar, and a set of inserts. The trunnion having a flared socket with an open top. The spar extending from the flared socket and through the open top. The spar having a first end located within the flared socket.

Abstract: A propeller for a marine propulsion device configured for use on a boat has a hub extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of blades, each blade having a blade root attached to the hub and extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis toward a respective blade tip. Each blade has a polymer-based core. Each blade is coated from the blade root to the blade tip with a metal coating. A method of making the propeller includes molding the propeller and coating each blade from the blade root to the blade tip with a metal coating.

Abstract: In a rotor for a fluid pump which is made radially compressible and expandable and has a hub and at least one conveying element which has a plurality of struts and at least one membrane which can be spanned between them, provision is made for a design in accordance with the invention which is as simple and inexpensive as possible that at least one first group of struts is pivotable in a pivot plane, starting from a common base, and can thus be spanned open in the manner of a fan, wherein the conveying element lies along the hub and contacts it over its full length in the expanded state to avoid a pressure loss at the margin of the conveying element between it and the hub and thus to realize an optimum efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is an arrangement for releasing fluid from a deformable container adapted to modify a state of an adaptable flow regulating device of a wind turbine rotor blade, the arrangement including: a valve connectable to the container; an exhaust tube connected to the valve, wherein the valve is adjustable to allow fluid communication between a lumen of the container and a lumen of the exhaust tube.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that has a plurality of turbine vanes. Each of the turbine vanes includes inner and outer platforms and an airfoil section that extends there between. The airfoil section is hollow and rib-less and has a first end at the outer platform and a second end at the inner platform. The airfoil section is tangentially bowed from the first end to the second end with a radius of curvature that is from 17 centimeters to 130 centimeters.

Abstract: A ceiling fan assembly comprising a motor, a mount for coupling to a structure and for suspending the motor, and a ceiling fan blade comprising only a blade body for coupling to the motor, wherein the ceiling fan blade is formed from a molded pulp comprising at least one of paper fibers, plant fibers, or wood fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aerodynamic structural insert frame comprise a leading edge, a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, and at least one cavity between the leading edge and trailing edge, wherein the aerodynamic structural insert frame is configured to deflect upon activation by an external stimulus; at least one deformable buckling member extending the distance between opposite edges of the cavity, wherein the deflection of the aerodynamic structural insert frame is configured to trigger deflection of the deformable buckling member; a pivot region; and at least one stopper bar attached to and extending from one edge of the cavity a distance less than the distance between opposite edges of the cavity, wherein the stopper bar is configured to stop the deflection of the aerodynamic structural insert and the buckling member when the stopper bar strikes an opposite edge of the cavity.

Abstract: A fluid pump device, in particular for a medical application, is described having a compressible pump housing and rotor, as well as with a drive shaft which runs in a sleeve and on whose end the fluid pump is arranged. In order to utilize all possibilities of a space-saving arrangement of the respective pump housing of the rotor, which is compressible per se, and as the case a bearing arrangement, the mentioned elements are displaceable to one another in the axial direction compared to an operation position. In particular these elements may be end-configured by way of an axial movement of the drive shaft after the assembly.

Abstract: A rotorcraft may include an airframe and a rotor connected to the airframe. The rotor may include a hub and a rotor blade connected to the hub to extend radially away therefrom. The rotor blade may include biasing fibers, oriented to increase the twist of the rotor blade in response to an increase in the speed of rotation of the rotor corresponding to a mission, task, or maneuver.

Abstract: A device for insertion in watercraft including propulsion means comprising a pair of flappers which oscillate through an arcuate path in a transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the watercraft. As input force is applied, the flappers twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust. The means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals, and further includes pedal cranks operatively associated with the propulsion means, the fore ends of the pedals being pivotally attached to a fixed point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor blade for wind energy installation, comprising at least one flange running in a longitudinal direction from a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip, whereby a width of the flange decreases along the longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a method for producing a rotor blade in that at least one flange with a width decreasing in the longitudinal direction is applied to a rotor blade inner wall, and to a laying assistance device for positioning strips of the flange.

Abstract: Provided are a wind turbine blade that can reduce the thickness of a turbulent-flow boundary layer generated on the blade surface of a blade tip portion to prevent noise generated at a trailing edge portion effectively, as well as a wind power generator using the same. Provided is a wind turbine blade, which is a wind turbine blade having an airfoil shape in cross section, wherein an angle-of-attack decreasing portion that decreases an angle of attack during rotation at at least a predetermined rotational speed is provided over a predetermined range from a blade tip to a blade root side.

Abstract: A enclosed vertical axis fluid rotor used as a wind turbine of two designs having multiple sails that are concave on the inside and convex on the outer side which allows omni-directional wind or other fluids to engage sails to create optimum fluid momentum. These are sectional segmentation of each rotor that can be stacked upon one another at locating lug points to be attached to each rotor to keep radial alignment precise during assembly. The preferred embodiment would be of composite materials or plastics that can be molded to a given design of three or more stages. The advantage of this turbine is using the fluids to their optimum efficiency. These designs have low starting speed, low precession, and low drag. One design has a central axis that turns with bearings with the rotor and the other design is a central static (non-turning) axis shaft that allows the turbine to turn on bearings.

Abstract: A radial pump for water has a drive motor, a pump chamber and an impeller revolving in the pump chamber. The impeller has a plurality of impeller blades which are designed, at least in regions, to be elastic and have a fixed mounting arranged in a region located near the impeller axis of rotation. They can bend elastically radially outward from this fixed mounting counter to a spring force.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present airfoil systems comprise an airfoil with a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a skin surface, at least one structural element located within said airfoil, wherein said structural element supports the skin surface having an upper skin portion and a lower skin portion wherein said structural element can change its shape in response to external stimulus during flight operations, and an actuating means for selectively altering the curvature of said structural element which alters the curvature of said upper skin portion and of said lower skin portion to cause nonlinear deflection of said skin surface between an extreme raised position through a neutral position to an extreme lowered position; whereby the outer surface curvature of said airfoil and said skin surface is smooth and continuous over substantially the entirety thereof at all positions of said skin surface.

Abstract: A blade comprises a lightweight core, a composite material disposed on the core, and a skin located on the composite material. The composite material comprises fibers incorporated into a thermoplastic resin matrix in the form of a prepreg sheet or wet layup. The rotor blade may also comprise a front edge member attached along at least a portion of a leading edge of the core, a rear edge member attached along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the core, and a skin located over the core, the front edge member, and the rear edge member. The rotor blade may also comprise a spar extending through the core along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, and a skin located over the core and the spar. The edge members and the spars may be fabricated from thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes a root portion and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion and defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil portion further includes a main foil section and a trailing edge section that is pivotally connected to the main foil section along a span-wise extending pivot zone. The trailing edge section is biased to a neutral position wherein the trailing edge section is pivoted chord-wise to a low wind speed position relative to the main foil section.

Abstract: A fan blade for a turbine system includes a root portion connectable to a rotating member of a turbine system and airfoil portion having a morphable portion on an edge of the airfoil portion. The morphable portion includes a plurality of layers aligned unsymmetrically relative to each other in a thickness direction and changes in shape in response to a change in a speed of the airfoil portion.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a suction side and a pressure side, which sides are connected at a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein one or more shape modifiable air foil sections are defined in the area of the trailing edge of the blade, and wherein said one or more shape modifiable air foil sections are attached to a blade body, each of the one or more modifiable air foil sections having an upper skin and a lower skin, a first one of the upper and lower skin being secured to the blade body, and a second one of the upper and lower skin being slidably movable with respect to the blade body, so that a force is applied to one of said skins cause said second skin to slide with respect to the blade body, so as to thereby modify the air foil shape of the trailing edge.

Abstract: Methods for deploying a section of a wind turbine rotor blade include compressing a section of skin from an airfoil profile to a retracted profile, wherein the section of skin includes a shape memory polymer composite, and heating the section of skin to at least a transition temperature of the shape memory polymer composite so that the section of skin transitions from the retracted profile back to the airfoil profile.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by using a parallel cascade of aerofoils or hydrofoils positioned therein. The foils may be provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent foils move in antiphase. The foils are subjected to resonant oscillations, known as flutter, induced by the fluid flow. Profiled inflow and outflow ducts may be positioned upstream and downstream, and the apparatus may be enclosed in a profiled duct, to increase efficiency by altering the fluid velocity and pressure. The foils are cantilevered, supported by vertical rods but are otherwise unattached. A cascade comprised of independent foil modules, each including a foil, a power conversion module and a motion control module, may be programmed to (1) receive energy from a fluid stream to generate power, or (2) transfer energy into a fluid stream to create propulsion or pumping.

Abstract: A rotor blade element and a method for improving the efficiency of a wind turbine rotor blade are provided. The wind turbine rotor blade element is adapted for mounting on the wind turbine rotor blade. The wind turbine rotor blade has a trailing edge, a suction side and a pressure side. The blade element has a trailing edge, a first surface and a second surface. The first surface forms a pressure side surface portion. The second surface has a suction side surface portion and a contact surface.

Abstract: The catheter device comprises a drive shaft connected to a motor, and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft at the distal end section. The rotor has a frame structure which is formed by a screw-like boundary frame and rotor struts extending radially inwards from the boundary frame. The rotor struts are fastened to the drive shaft by their ends opposite the boundary frame. Between the boundary frame and the drive shaft extends an elastic covering. The frame structure is made of an elastic material such that, after forced compression, the rotor unfolds automatically.

Abstract: One embodiment of vertical axis wind turbine, having a soft sail (101), receiving airfoil form in the relative air flow. The soft sail (101) is attached to a mast (102), connected to a rotating shaft (202), transferring motion to a generator or alternator (203). Another embodiment of vertical axis wind turbine, having a soft sail (1306), receiving its airfoil form from the relative air flow and centrifugal forces, acting on it. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a wind turbine including at least one blade adapted to automatically adjust its shape as a function of rotational speed to create an efficient fluid dynamic profile over a wide range of wind conditions and rotational speeds. The rotor assembly includes at least one blade configured to respond to rotation induced forces to automatically bend in a manner to optimize its wind profile.

Abstract: A noise reducer for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and a rotor blade assembly are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of rods each having a body extending between a first end and a second end. The body of each of the plurality of rods contacts and extends parallel to the body of a neighboring rod of the plurality of rods when the noise reducer is in a stable position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present airfoil structural insert comprise an airfoil structural insert frame, a skin surface disposed about the airfoil structural insert frame, at least one attachment point operable for coupling to an aerodynamic structure, a leading edge disposed on one end of the airfoil structural insert frame, a trailing edge disposed on an opposite end of the airfoil structural insert frame, and at least one structural element configured to support the skin surface, wherein said structural element undergoes at least one nonlinear shape change from a first shape to a deflected shape.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: To design the rotor (6, 6?, 6?, 6??, 60, 60?) as compressible in the radial direction in a fluid pump, in particular for microinvasive medical use, said rotor is configured as stretchable in its longitudinal direction (16) by push elements and pull elements acting axially on it.

Abstract: The anti-Sudden infant death syndrome baby fan is a portable fan that can attach to a baby crib in order to provide air movement across an infant in order to prevent the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome. The portable fan comprises a housing, foam blades, rubber mat, knob, ON/OFF switch, and battery compartment. The inclusion of foam blades is a safety design in that foam blades will not inflict any substantive injury to anyone who touches said blades while in motion, i.e. the infant. The portable fan can also be integrated into the design of a crib mobile in order to circulate air from above the crib.

Abstract: In a rotor for a fluid pump which is made radially compressible and expandable and has a hub (4) and at least one conveying element (10, 11, 19, 20) which has a plurality of struts (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28) and at least one membrane (18) which can be spanned between them, provision is made for a design in accordance with the invention which is as simple and inexpensive as possible that at least one first group of struts is pivotable in a pivot plane, starting from a common base, and can thus be spanned open in the manner of a fan, wherein the conveying element lies along the hub and contacts it over its full length in the expanded state to avoid a pressure loss at the margin of the conveying element between it and the hub and thus to realize an optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A wind diode with vanes having flexible flaps arrayed linearly along flap supports to catch the wind against the flaps supported by a filament array or, rotating to the opposite direction, to allow the wind to pass through the filament array by moving the flaps into a position that does not catch the wind. By using multiple flaps in the array, variations in the wind velocity profile across the vane are accounted for, thereby reducing drag. The wind diode is preferably mast-mounted, with the drive train attached to the exterior of the mast. Vertical and horizontal wind diodes are possible, as is a hybrid that is reconfigurable to be used in either orientation. The drive train preferably uses a continuous variable range transmission to provide constant speed output.

Abstract: A hydropower generating turbine having an impeller housing disposed to receive water, at least one impeller disposed within the impeller housing, at least one adjustable duct pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and, where the duct has a plurality of duct leafs, wherein the duct leafs articulate and cause the duct to converge and diverge for selectively disposing a fluid about the impeller. The ducts may be inflow or outflow ducts, and the turbine may react to a change in the fluid and alter the shape of the impeller. Further, the turbine may have an automated controller where variable change in the flow is detected by a sensor and transmitted to the automated controller to cause a directional shift in the multidirectional turbine.

Abstract: A lift-type turbine comprising at least three blades at circumferentially spaced positions is supported for rotation about a vertical axis. Each blade has an airfoil shape to generate a torque about the axis responsive to wind across the blades. A support comprising cables under tension is connected between adjacent ones of the blades to extend generally circumferentially about the turbine. Accordingly a minimum number of parts form the structure of the blades while minimizing the drag produced during rotation thereof due to the support members lying in a common circumferential path. The tension of the support members can support the blades in a pre-stressed condition to optimize the shape and performance thereof.

Abstract: An aerodynamic profile includes a main profile body defining a profile depth direction and being shear-flexible in the profile depth direction, a tension-stiff and compression-stiff upper covering skin, a tension-stiff and compression-stiff lower covering skin, wherein the upper and lower covering skins envelope the main profile body, a bearingless and hingeless rear profile deformation region disposed at a rear edge region, and at least one actuator disposed in the main profile body. The at least one actuator is configured to initiate a flexural motion of the main profile body resulting in a curvature of the upper and lower covering skins and to deform the rear profile deformation region and so as to yield a flap deflection directed opposite to a direction of the flexural motion.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprising an active elastic member arranged with access to the surface of the wind turbine blade is provided. The active elastic member is deformable from a first shape to a second shape and the lift coefficient of the airfoil with the active elastic member in the first shape is larger than the lift coefficient of the airfoil with the active elastic member in the second shape. Furthermore, a wind turbine comprising such a wind turbine blade and a method of operating a wind turbine comprising such a wind turbine blade are provided.

Abstract: A rotor blade comprises an inner rotor blade root area, a rotor blade main area disposed adjacent to the inner rotor blade root area along a length of the rotor blade and having an aerodynamically effective rotor blade profile, the profile including a nose area and a rear edge area, and a rotor blade tip disposed adjacent to the rotor blade main area along the length of the rotor blade. The rotor blade tip is configured to be deformable relative to the rotor blade main area and is operatively connected to a first actuator device. The first actuator device is configured to initiate a vertical movement of the rotor blade tip upwards or downwards relative to the lift direction. The vertical movement starts from a neutral position relative to the rotor blade main area.

Abstract: A device is described for generating energy. The device includes at least two ultralight airfoils rotating along their own axis, which functionally reproduce the characteristics of a propeller. The ultralight airfoils which characterize such aerodynamic configuration use pulling members (such as cables or tie-rods) to keep their shape when operating. An important weight reduction of the structure is thus obtained, which allows different applications in the aeolian generation field.

Abstract: A multidirectional hydrokinetic power generating turbine has an impeller housing with one or more impellers disposed within the impeller housing, one or more adjustable ducts pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and a plurality of duct leafs disposed about the one or more ducts. The plurality of duct leafs articulate and cause the one or more adjustable ducts to converge and diverge to selectively disposing a fluid about the one or more impellers.

Abstract: A fan includes an impeller and a fan frame. The impeller is accommodated within the fan frame. The impeller has a hub and a plurality of blades disposed around the hub. The hub has a top portion and a side wall connected with the top portion. The hub further has a plurality of flexible portions disposed and located on the side wall. The blades are connected with the flexible portions, respectively, so that the blades are connected to the hub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound blade and a fan installed with it. The compound blade is composed of at least a flexible layer and a rigid layer, with the rigid layer smaller than the flexible layer. So the edge of the compound blade is only formed of the flexible layer after the flexible layer combined with the rigid layer. A fan installed with the compound blade can not only run without danger because of the flexible layer, but also run as efficiently as a general one owing to the rigid layer.

Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine, the assembly including a plurality of vanes 14 with an asymmetric organic metal/ceramic matrix composite lay up, such that when the vanes 14 are placed in tension or compression the profile of the vane 14 will alter by twisting or untwisting. Other materials may be provided for the vanes 14, and/or other methods may be used for placing the vanes 14 in tension or compression to provide positive changes to the profile thereof.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member with an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined at leading and trailing edges of the blade with a bond paste along a bond line having a designed width. A barrier is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edges and prevents movement of the bond paste into the internal cavity beyond the width of the bond line. The barrier includes a wall that is substantially impermeable to the bond paste and a support member that extends from the wall to the leading or trailing edge of the blade. The support member locates the wall at the bond line and the wall has a shape and resiliency so as to be engaged against the upper and lower shell members within the internal cavity.

Abstract: An electrical generation device includes a turbine rotor for electrical power generation, preferably underwater, from moving fluid, preferably water currents or the wind. The turbine rotor includes turbine blades that include flexible portions, preferably mounted at the edges of stiff portions of the turbine blades.