An apparatus for selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor includes a first deflection panel, having a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a first side of turbine rotor in a working configuration. A second deflection panel has a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a second side of the turbine rotor, laterally opposite the first side, in a working configuration. The first and second deflection panels are both configured to amplify wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in the working configuration, and to have minimal effect upon the wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in a stowed configuration. A method of selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor is also described.

An apparatus for selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor includes a first deflection panel, having a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a first side of turbine rotor in a working configuration. A second deflection panel has a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a second side of the turbine rotor, laterally opposite the first side, in a working configuration. The first and second deflection panels are both configured to amplify wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in the working configuration, and to have minimal effect upon the wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in a stowed configuration. A method of selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor is also described.

The invention discloses improved versions of a horizontal axis wind turbine and new fundamental methodologies for the design of wind turbines, which are capable of extracting both kinetic and thermal energy from the wind. The wind turbines use a large diameter forward inlet fairing to accelerate the airflow to the more effective outer radii of the turbine rotor where the airflow is constrained by an airfoil-shaped flow control ring, which also serves to prevent rotor tip losses, to inhibit wake expansion, and to accelerate the airflow through the turbine. A similarly large diameter aft pressure recovery fairing promotes rotation and contraction of the wake downstream of the turbine. Further methodologies for optimization and an algorithm for detail design are disclosed.

A radar system for a wind turbine is provided. The radar system comprises a first radar unit (42) and a control unit (41) arranged to receive an output from the radar unit, the control unit comprising a central processing unit. The central processing unit is configured to perform a first function of determining at least one property of aircraft within a monitoring zone in the vicinity of the wind turbine and controlling a warning device to output a warning signal to detected aircraft based on the determined property; and perform a second function of determining at least one parameter of prevailing weather in the vicinity of the wind turbine. A corresponding method is also provided.

This system includes a belt drive system for a wind turbine generator comprising: a tower having a wind turbine wheel rotatably attached to the tower; a generator platform attached to the tower; a generator supported by the generator platform; and, a turbine drive belt adapted to engaged with the wind turbine wheel and the generator to transfer rotational energy from the wind turbine wheel to the generator to generate electricity.

Disclosed is a system and method for both consumer and utility scale energy extraction from flow-based energy sources. The passive system may utilize directing perforations on a surface in order to create and air jet vortex generators. Alternatively the system may provide for flow through discrete orifices aligned with the span of an aerodynamic assembly in a co-flow direction, utilizing a Coanda effect. Further additional configurations include directing flow through a perforated surface skin that is near the trailing edge on the suction side. Even further are embodiments for blowing air directly out of the trailing edge of an airfoil. The disclosed systems and methods support a wide variety of scenarios for fluid flow energy extraction, such as wind or water flow, as well as for related products and services.

The present invention relates to a wind tower (10) for delivering wind flow to a turbine. The wind tower (10) including includes a support structure (12) mounted to a support surface (14) and a wind intake section 16 rotatably mounted to the support structure (12) and elevated with respect to the support surface (14). The intake section (16) includes a plurality of internal passageways (32) extending between a plurality of wind-facing inlets (22) and a plurality of outlets (34). The plurality of inlets (22) are orientated for concurrently receiving an oncoming wind-flow W. Each of the inlets (22) are in fluid communication with one of the outlets 34 via one of the passageways (32). The wind tower (10) further includes an output passageway (42) for collecting wind flow W from the plurality of outlets (34). The output passageway (42) is in fluid communication with the outlets (34) and extends downwardly from the intake section (16) toward the support surface (14) for delivering wind flow W to a turbine located at or proximate to the support surface (14).

The present invention relates to a wind tower (10) for delivering wind flow to a turbine. The wind tower (10) including includes a support structure (12) mounted to a support surface (14) and a wind intake section 16 rotatably mounted to the support structure (12) and elevated with respect to the support surface (14). The intake section (16) includes a plurality of internal passageways (32) extending between a plurality of wind-facing inlets (22) and a plurality of outlets (34). The plurality of inlets (22) are orientated for concurrently receiving an oncoming wind-flow W. Each of the inlets (22) are in fluid communication with one of the outlets 34 via one of the passageways (32). The wind tower (10) further includes an output passageway (42) for collecting wind flow W from the plurality of outlets (34). The output passageway (42) is in fluid communication with the outlets (34) and extends downwardly from the intake section (16) toward the support surface (14) for delivering wind flow W to a turbine located at or proximate to the support surface (14).

This disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for an energy capturing pod (ECP). The ECP includes a specialized funnel shell, a first turbine, and a second turbine. The specialized funnel shell is designed to accelerate in coming wind speed and is structured with a first choke point and a second choke point for wind. The first turbine is located at the first choke point. The second turbine is located at the second choke point.

This disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for an energy capturing pod (ECP). The ECP includes a specialized funnel shell, a first turbine, and a second turbine. The specialized funnel shell is designed to accelerate in coming wind speed and is structured with a first choke point and a second choke point for wind. The first turbine is located at the first choke point. The second turbine is located at the second choke point.