A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine includes comprising an inflatable portion comprising one or more blades and a device for rotatably driving the inflatable portion at a predetermined rate for a predetermined time.

Device for generating energy using the current of a river (2) or similar, which device (1) includes a paddlewheel (11) and at least one generator set (14) of which the drive shaft (17a) is coupled to the shaft (11) of the paddlewheel (10), characterized in that the paddlewheel (10) is self-floating and that the device (1) is provided with an at least partly submerged housing (3) with an open bottom (4) that is located at a height (A) above the bed (5) of the river (2), wherein the paddlewheel (10) is bearing mounted and of which the internal space (8) is pressurized to regulate the height of the water level (12) in the housing (3).

A system and method for damage detection and for evaluating the real operation conditions for structural platforms using structural health monitoring is integrated to a system and method that permits for the platform to provide a flexible geometric control considering a self-adapting morphing which is capable of providing better operating structural platform performance.

A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the movable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can also include an edge extension disposed along the leading edge of the device structure. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.

The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HARNESSING FLUID FLOW WITH FLEXIBLE MECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS include mechanisms that include flexible elements with strained deformations. In some implementations, oscillations of strained deformations in fins are excited by a moving fluid. By coupling the fin structure to an electrical generator and/or pump, energy from the moving fluid can be converted into electrical energy or used to perform useful mechanical work. In some implementations, the fin may be coupled to a motor or other actuator which causes the strained deformations to move, thereby imparting force onto the fluid to move or mix fluid or perform other useful work.

A windmill for generating electricity is described, which contains several improvements that enable the blades of the windmill to be much wider than conventional electricity-generating windmill blades. The rotor containing the blades will also change direction to capture the largest amount of wind energy available. The windmill includes a shroud surrounding the blades, which increases the wind velocity through the blades. Support structures for the windmill are described, and also a method of using the windmill to store electricity to use later is shown. The windmill is more stable than conventional windmills. A method of using a windmill to generate electricity is also described.

A rotor blade includes first and second blade segments extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. The first blade segment includes a beam structure that connects with the second blade segment via a receiving section. A chord-wise gap exists between an edge of the beam structure and an edge of the receiving section. The beam structure defines a first pin joint slot, whereas the receiving section defines a second pin joint slot that aligns with the first pin joint slot. First and second bushings are arranged in first ends of the first and second pin joint slots, each having a flange extending within the chord-wise gap. As such, the flanges abut against each other within the chord-wise gap so as to fill the chord-wise gap with a predetermined defined gap or interference. Further, a chord-wise extending pin is positioned through the bushings so as to secure the first and second blade segments together.

A vertical axis wind turbine with variable thickness blade is disclosed. The wind turbine may include a blade including a skin having a first skin section and a second skin section. A first skin section thickness may be greater than a second skin section thickness. The blade may further include a bracketed structural member disposed on the first skin section. The bracketed structural member may include one or more L-shaped brackets. The wind turbine may further include a nut bar, which may be a flat nut bar. The bracketed structural member may be configured to hold the nut bar between the L-shaped brackets. The wind turbine may further include an arm connecting bracket that may be configured to attach the arm to the blade via the nut bar. The wind turbine may further include a transition fairing that may attach to the blade via the nut bar.

A wind turbine with a retractable blade and a thrust force transmission structure provides an adjustable blade length system that maintains the airfoil shape and does not negatively impact aerodynamic efficiency. Thrust Force Transmission Structure that directly transfers the thrust forces from the blade tip to the hub, thereby reducing bending stresses and acting as a damper. This system significantly reduces the torque experienced at the root section, leading to a lighter blade design and extended blade lifespan.

A method for detecting a status of a rotor blade for a wind turbine, the rotor blade including at least an aerodynamic device for influencing the airflow, the aerodynamic device being movable between a first and a second configuration, the method including the steps of: measuring an output signal measured by at least one sensor installed on the wind turbine, moving the aerodynamic device between the first configuration and the second configuration, measuring a change in the induced output signal, post-processing the measured output signal, wherein the post-processing is performed in the frequency domain and includes: deriving a frequency spectrum 1, calculating an upper spectrum interval of the frequency spectrum above a frequency threshold value, comparing the upper spectrum interval with a reference frequency spectrum deriving a status of the rotor blade based on the step of comparing.