Aquatic curtain devices and methods for forming waterway channels and reducing waterway maintenance are disclosed. Each curtain device comprises an elongated float and an elongated flexible curtain depending from a first side of the elongated float. The curtain has a bottom end with a weight extending along the entire length of the elongated float. The float is configured to be sufficiently buoyant to support the curtain in an upward direction. Each curtain device is configured for the curtain to remain in a substantially taut state when in use and accommodate fluctuations in water levels, such that the elongated weight remains on the bottom of the waterway while the elongated float remains on the surface. Artificial channels are constructed by selecting the length of the elongated float to achieve the desired channel dimensions using two or more curtain devices positioned along a desired path in a waterway.

A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means. The turbine engine includes: a compressor, a diffuser, and a flow path positioned downstream from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc that redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the extraction slot also being positioned downstream axially along the flow path from the arc. The turbine engine further includes an aspiration slot, downstream from the extraction slot, that allows air from the plenum to recirculate back into the flow path.

A wind turbine including a generator with a stator and a rotor, a cooling arrangement, a wind turbine brake including a brake disk and a caliper with brake pads is provided. An air duct with a filter is located near the brake pads of the caliper. During the operation of the cooling arrangement, a part of the air flow is guided via the brake pads. The brake dust produced by the brake pads during operation of the brake will be reduced by the filter of the air duct.

A continuous fluid flow power generator includes an electrical generator with submersible turbine blades in communication with a flow of fluid in a body of water to generate electricity. The generator may include a water tower and a hydro turbine generator to generate electricity through kinetic actions; a float and piston assembly activated by wave action to deliver water to the water tower; kick turbines to create water flow to the water tower through submersible pumps; and a rechargeable battery in communication with the electrical generator and the hydro turbine generator. The generator may also include solar assemblies and windmills to provide supplemental electricity generation for charging the rechargeable battery. The generator may be connectable to a battery bank aboard a vessel or to an electrical grid.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic installation where sediment concentration in the water flow circulating through the cited installation is monitored continuously. According to the invention, the hydraulic installation comprises a pressure-reducing device and a primary sensor: the pressure reducing device decreases the pressure and discharge of upstream water flow, comprising sediments, allowing that the primary sensor can operate continuously measuring sediment concentration from the upstream water flow. The hydraulic installation also comprises a calibrating device, providing the primary sensor with a reference value to be used for comparison matters and for establishing the content of sediment in the water flow.

A continuous fluid flow power generator includes an electrical generator with submersible turbine blades in communication with a flow of fluid in a body of water to generate electricity. The generator may include a water tower and a hydro turbine generator to generate electricity through kinetic actions; a float and piston assembly activated by wave action to deliver water to the water tower; kick turbines to create water flow to the water tower through submersible pumps; and a rechargeable battery in communication with the electrical generator and the hydro turbine generator. The generator may also include solar assemblies and windmills to provide supplemental electricity generation for charging the rechargeable battery. The generator may be connectable to a battery bank aboard a vessel or to an electrical grid.

A continuous fluid flow power generator includes an electrical generator with submersible turbine blades in communication with a flow of fluid in a body of water to generate electricity. The generator may include a water tower and a hydro turbine generator to generate electricity through kinetic actions; a float and piston assembly activated by wave action to deliver water to the water tower; kick turbines to create water flow to the water tower through submersible pumps; and a rechargeable battery in communication with the electrical generator and the hydro turbine generator. The generator may also include solar assemblies and windmills to provide supplemental electricity generation for charging the rechargeable battery. The generator may be connectable to a battery bank aboard a vessel or to an electrical grid.

A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is presented. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a surface, where the surface of the rotor blade includes an inclined groove. The rotor blade assembly further includes at least one add-on element mounted on the surface of the rotor blade via a bonding interface downstream of the inclined groove such that particulate matter in an airflow upstream of the at least one add-on element is deflected away from the bonding interface between the surface of the rotor blade and the at least one add-on element. The wind turbine having the rotor blade assembly is also presented.

A vortex pump with an impeller is provided. The impeller includes blades for delivering solids-containing media which are arranged in bundles. The spacing the blades in the bundles is smaller than the spacing of the bundles from each other.

Aquatic curtain devices and methods for forming waterway channels and reducing waterway maintenance are disclosed. Each curtain device comprises an elongated float and an elongated flexible curtain depending from a first side of the elongated float. The curtain has a bottom end with a weight extending along the entire length of the elongated float. The float is configured to be sufficiently buoyant to support the curtain in an upward direction. Each curtain device is configured for the curtain to remain in a substantially taut state when in use and accommodate fluctuations in water levels, such that the elongated weight remains on the bottom of the waterway while the elongated float remains on the surface. Artificial channels are constructed by selecting the length of the elongated float to achieve the desired channel dimensions using two or more curtain devices positioned along a desired path in a waterway.