The invention relates to a device for converting wind energy to at least mechanical energy, comprising a rotor drivable rotatably about a rotation axis by wind with a duct disposed therearound, wherein a central axis of the duct coincides with the rotation axis of the rotor, wherein the duct comprises a wind inlet opening and a wind outlet opening, and wherein the device is embodied such that in use of the device an air pressure in a central part of the wind outlet opening is lower than an air pressure at the wind inlet opening. The device can be provided for this purpose with a number of rear stator blades disposed downstream of the rotor in the duct for guiding the wind away in a downstream direction, which rear stator blades extend radially outward from the central axis.

A blade for use in a wind turbine comprises a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge. The pressure side and suction side provide lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side. The blade includes one or more openings at the suction side, in some cases between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The one or more openings are configured to provide a pressurized fluid towards the leading edge of the blade, in some cases at an angle between about 0 and 70 with respect to an axis oriented from a centerline of the blade toward the leading edge.

A cartridge vane pump includes: a body-side side plate that is brought into contact with end surfaces of a rotor and a cam ring; first and second discharge ports that are formed in the body-side side plate; and an adapter that is formed with first and second connection channels for connecting the first and second discharge ports formed in the body-side side plate and first and second discharge channels formed in a body.

A blade for use in a wind turbine comprises a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge. The pressure side and suction side provide lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side. The blade includes one or more openings at the suction side, in some cases between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The one or more openings are configured to provide a pressurized fluid towards the leading edge of the blade, in some cases at an angle between about 0 and 70 with respect to an axis oriented from a centerline of the blade toward the leading edge.

A centrifugal compressor for a chiller includes an inlet guide vane; an impeller, a diffuser, a volute forming member, a compressor housing, and an insert. The volute forming member is disposed downstream of the diffuser. The volute forming member forms a volute to receive a refrigerant after the refrigerant has been compressed. The volute has a reverse overhung configuration. The compressor housing encloses the impeller. The insert is disposed around an outer periphery of the impeller and interposed between the volute forming member and the compressor housing. The insert includes a diffuser defining wall surface that opposes an inner surface of the volute forming member. The diffuser is defined between the volute forming member and the diffuser defining wall surface.

A diffuser, an airflow generating apparatus, and an electrical device are provided. The airflow generating apparatus includes a motor; an impeller including blades with air passages formed therebetween; and a diffuser including diffusing vanes with diffusing channels formed therebetween. In a flow region defined between a terminating end of one diffusing vane and a starting end of another adjacent diffusing vane, an intersection line between a bottom of the diffusing channel between the two diffusing vanes and its circumferential section includes a front arcuate line segment and a subsequent straight line segment, the arcuate line segment extends curvedly, outwardly and downwardly from or from adjacent an inlet end of the diffusing channel, the straight line segment connects to the arcuate line segment and extends to an outlet end of the diffusing channel. The diffusing channel is designed to improve the operating efficiency of the airflow generating apparatus.

A wind plant includes at least one wind collector assembly configured to collect a wind stream; at least one booster arm in fluid communication with the at least one wind collector assembly, the booster arm configured to receive the wind stream and to increase the flowrate of the wind stream; and at least one exit conduit, the at least one exit conduit in fluid communication with the booster arm and rotatable with respect to the booster arm. The at least one exit conduit is configured to rotate with respect to the at least one booster arm in response to a thrust force generated by the wind stream exiting the exit conduit. A method of capturing energy from wind is also disclosed.