This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.

A combined omnidirectional flow turbine system includes rotors that are disposed in a vertical position and enclosed in a motionless structure that receives air flows from any external direction which are manipulated by an airfoil to cause the rotors to rotate. The motionless structure is a hollow body and it is formed by a support structure and cover, being said interior space adapted to store electronic components, which can be directly supplied by the energy, produced. On its outer surface, air particles and pollutants filters can be installed, taking advantage of the aerodynamic shape of the motionless structure, which promotes air flow adhesion along its surface, making possible to capture particles along their preferred path.

A blade damping device for damping vibrations during standstill of a wind turbine blade, wherein the blade damping device is adapted to be detachably attached to the pressure side and/or the suction side of the airfoil region of the wind turbine blade, the blade damping device comprising a base plate adapted to conform to the exterior shape of the wind turbine blade when the blade damping device is attached to the wind turbine blade, and a spoiler protruding from the base plate to a spoiler height along a height direction and having a spoiler length along a length direction, the height direction being adapted to extend outwardly from the wind turbine blade, wherein the spoiler height is adapted to be at least 20% of a chord line located at two thirds of the blade length along the longitudinal axis from the root end of the wind turbine blade.

An energy harvesting system for converting kinetic energy to electrical power includes an intake energy device, an impeller, and a motor. The intake energy device includes a housing and fins. The fins are positioned on an inner surface of the housing for receiving exhaust air. The received exhaust air moves the fins generating a vortex. The impeller is positioned at an inlet of a compressor and is in fluid communication with the intake energy device. The impeller is configured to receive the generated vortex, which rotates the impeller. The motor is rotatably connected to the impeller. The motor is electrically connected to a regulating circuit for converting kinetic energy of the exhaust air to electrical power.

A combined omnidirectional flow turbine system includes rotors that are disposed in a vertical position and enclosed in a motionless structure that receives air flows from any external direction which are manipulated by an airfoil to cause the rotors to rotate. The rotors can be connected to a transformation element, which transforms mechanical energy generated by the rotation of the rotors into electrical energy. The motionless structure is a hollow body and it is formed by a support structure and cover, being said interior space adapted to store electronic components, which can be directly supplied by the energy, produced.

A wind energy device (100) utilizes a cone (102) to concentrate the wind. The inside of the cone (102) has rifling (110) which spirals the wind to more effectively hit the rotor blades (112) adjacent the smaller opening (108) of the cone (102). A convex screen (124) deflects objects from the larger opening (104) of the cone (102). The device has a bottom caudal fin (116) to help direct the wind into the larger opening (104) of the cone (102) as the wind changes direction. The cone (102) can have a top fin (118) as well. The device is equally weight balanced on a shaft (120) and pivots on a bearing (122) to help it rotate effortlessly. This pivot enables maximum efficiency of capturing the wind. The cone (102) can be comprised of sections (136) that open up in a strong wind by hinges (134) and a motor or spring at the front (104) of the cone (102). Solar panels (132) can be placed on the cone (102), the rotor housing (114), the generator (126), and the shaft (120) to generate additional electricity.

Various examples are provided for power generation using buoyancy-induced vortices. In one example, among others, a vortex generation system includes an array of hybrid vanes comprising a first vane section in a surface momentum boundary layer and a second vane section above the first vane section. The first vane section is configured to impart a first angular momentum on the preheated air in the surface momentum boundary layer and the second vane section is configured to impart a second angular momentum on preheated air drawn through the second vane section. In another embodiment, a method for power extraction from a buoyancy-induced vortex includes imparting angular momentum to preheated boundary layer air entrained by a thermal plume to form a stationary columnar vortex. The angular momentum can be imparted to the preheated boundary layer air at a plurality of angles by an array of hybrid vanes distributed about the thermal plume.

The invention disclosed herein comprises a system focusing water current into a relatively smaller diameter lumen, imparting vortical movement to the current, and directing the water vortex through an even smaller diameter lumen en route to turbine blades having long curved blades rotatable along an axis parallel with the lumen. Rotation of the turbine blades turns gearing interfacing with the circumference of the turbine assembly, to rotate a drive shaft connected to a generator.

This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.

The invention disclosed herein comprises a system focusing water current into a relatively smaller diameter lumen, imparting vortical movement to the current, and directing the water vortex through an even smaller diameter lumen en route to turbine blades having long curved blades rotatable along an axis parallel with the lumen. Rotation of the turbine blades turns gearing interfacing with the circumference of the turbine assembly, to rotate a drive shaft connected to a generator.