A variable-geometry ducted fan may include an air duct having a longitudinal axis, the air duct including an inlet of the variable-geometry ducted fan, a fan rotatably mounted within the air duct downstream from the inlet, the fan including fan blades defining a fan area, and a variable-area nozzle coupled to the air duct downstream from the fan, the variable-area nozzle including an exhaust of the variable-geometry ducted fan having a variable exhaust area.

An axial compressor includes a plurality of stator vanes attached to an inner surface of a casing defining an annular flow path and a plurality of rotor blades attached to a rotating rotor defining the annular flow path. A flow path is defined between a pressure surface of a stator vane and a suction surface of a stator vane, the vanes being circumferentially adjacent to each other, or between a pressure surface of a rotor blade and a suction surface of a rotor blade, the blades being circumferentially adjacent to each other. The flow path is formed so that a throat portion at which a flow path width is minimized is provided on the upstream side of 50% of an axial chord length.

An apparatus, system and method to reduce the contaminate concentration of effluent before discharge is provided utilizing discharge pipes, inlets and outlets. The apparatus comprises a central bore having an internal diameter suitable for a fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow moves inside the central bore through the apparatus, and at least one outlet, wherein the fluid flow exits the apparatus through the at least one outlet, a plurality of inlets for flowing additional fluid to the central bore, and wherein the inlets mix the fluid flow with the additional fluid from the plurality of inlets. The apparatus can further mix the effluent though additional mixing devices and additional devices can be used to recapture energy such as, hydroelectric power from the fluid flow. A method reduces the effluent concentration by mixing for example, by creating a helical flow in the central bore. The system using a control panel to achieve favorable mixing or fluid flow by controlling the fluid flow properties of the inlets.

The present invention is turbine generator capable of integration into a bio-physiological or microfluidic system. The generator can convert biomechanical energy into electrical energy by using electromagnetic subsystems to transform the kinetic energy to electricity. These systems have the potential to convert hydraulic energy (such as flow of body fluid, blood flow, contraction of blood vessel, dynamic fluid in nature) into electric energy that may be sufficient for self-powering nano/micro devices and systems, such as artificial organs, valves, sensors, micro motors, and micro robots. The system incorporates a new turbine model having, notched blades; a rotor in levitation; and a special casing capable of integration into a bio-physiological or microfluidic system.

A recirculating hydro-pneumatic impulse turbine including a collector assembly including a central draft tube extending therebelow, the collector assembly including a collector plate having a generally horizontal upper surface and being configured such that the draft tube is in fluid communication with the upper surface, there also being a series of peripherally arranged drive cups about the upper surface. The turbine also includes a drive assembly about the central draft tube, the drive assembly including a fluid inlet at its lower end in fluid communication with the lower end of the draft tube, and a plurality of tangentially arranged outlet nozzles configured at its upper end. The turbine also includes a central air tube with an upper air inlet and a lower air distribution manifold, the manifold including at least one venturi outlet capable of entraining air in the fluid to assist movement of the fluid from the lower end of the drive assembly upwardly to the outlet nozzles. During use, fluid jets that form at the outlet nozzles engage with the drive cups to generate relative rotation between the outlet nozzles and the drive cups about a vertical axis, the relative rotation capable of providing useful work, with fluid subsequently flowing from the drive cups across the upper surface of the collector plate to the draft tube, down the draft tube where the fluid enters the fluid inlet of the drive assembly for entrainment with air and recirculation to the outlet nozzles.

A turbine that includes a runner and a variable nozzle. The runner is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The variable nozzle is configured to produce a sheet flow when fluid passes through the variable nozzle toward the runner. The sheet flow has a circumferential length at an exit of the variable nozzle that is greater than a flow width at the exit of the variable nozzle. The flow width is adjustable. In other configurations, the sheet flow may be planar, conical, or cylindrical.

A fluid accelerator including an outer housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, the outer housing defining a converging nozzle proximate the inlet end. The fluid accelerator may also include an annular ring disposed proximate the inlet end of the outer housing within the converging nozzle, wherein the annular ring has an airfoil cross-sectional shape.

A concentrator nozzle attachment for a blower device is disclosed that increases the airflow velocity of the blower without sacrificing the field of the jetting air. The concentrator nozzle is formed of an outer ring with a centrally located guide surface and is placed at the exit of an air tube. As the air exits the air tube, it's forced to flow around the guide surface, thus increasing its velocity. The attachment is secured to the end of the air tube and so does not alter the outer diameter through which the air exits. In this way, air velocity is increased without reducing its effectiveness.