A novel universal propeller has a gearwheel arranged on each rotor blade that is directly operatively connected to a reference gearwheel of a timing gear. The timing gear is operatively connected to a hub gear. The hub gear senses and processes an angular velocity ω.sub.n of a rotation of the hub. The reference gearwheel and the gearwheels of the rotor blades of the timing gear are configured that the ratio of an angular velocity ω.sub.r of the reference gearwheel to the angular velocity ω.sub.n of the rotational movement of the hub is as follows: ω.sub.r/ω.sub.n=1±(½)*(S.sub.rot/S.sub.r), where S.sub.rot is a size of the gearwheels and S.sub.r is a size of the reference gearwheel. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in a wind power installation, hydropower installation or an engine of a ship or an aircraft.

Techniques are disclosed where a plurality of bladed shafts are arranged in an adjacent relationship to one another within a frame. The blades of the shafts are capable of interacting with moving air and causing rotation of the shafts. Rotational energy of the shafts is converted to electrical energy by electrical equipment stored within a portion of the frame. The electrical energy is conditioned and output as usable electrical power.

Techniques are disclosed where a plurality of bladed shafts are arranged in an adjacent relationship to one another within a frame. The blades of the shafts are capable of interacting with moving air and causing rotation of the shafts. Rotational energy of the shafts is converted to electrical energy by electrical equipment stored within a portion of the frame. The electrical energy is conditioned and output as usable electrical power.

Techniques are disclosed where a plurality of bladed shafts are arranged in an adjacent relationship to one another within a frame. The blades of the shafts are capable of interacting with moving air and causing rotation of the shafts. Rotational energy of the shafts is converted to electrical energy by electrical equipment stored within a portion of the frame. The electrical energy is conditioned and output as usable electrical power.

A system includes a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), a first charger connected to another device external from the system having at least one battery, a second charger connected to an on board battery pack, and at least one programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to: manage communication between the VAWT, the at least one battery, and the first charger to ensure that the at least one battery reaches a preset state of charge (SOC) comprising 90% state of charge, and manage communication between the on board battery pack and the second charger to ensure that the on board battery pack reaches the preset SOC and trigger the second charger to discontinue the charging session, manage transfer of energy from the on board battery pack to the at least one battery.

The present invention is directed to an improved vertical-axis wind turbine rotor that provides a more constant shaft power output than similar turbine rotors of the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, it provides four tiers of blade sets, with each set disposed at a different elevation than each other set. Each blade set may be offset at an angle from adjacent blade sets. A partition plate may be disposed between adjacent blade sets. The partitions provide structural stability and enhanced rotor performance characteristics.

A vertical axis wind turbine with improved safety, production efficiency and greater functional wind speed range. A vertical axis wind turbine comprises turbine blades having geometric characteristics of a “yin yang” symbol when viewed from the top down. The turbine blades are configured to form a scoop portion for catching wind. The surface area of the scoop portion may be dynamically configured to accommodate power production in higher wind speed ranges by dynamically furling the blades to reduce the surface area of the scoop portion as RPM begins to exceed a safe limit. First and second permanent magnet rotor arrays are dynamically positioned above and below an array of stator coils to maximize power generation.

A fluid turbine has semi-spherical, hollow blades arrayed about a vertical axis, and a passive wildlife-deterrent system using ultraviolet coloration of the rotor blades. The turbine's blade shape reduces drag on a convex side and increases drag on a concave side. Part of the center of the array of rotor blades is open, allowing flow through the center of the array. The spherical form enhances fluid flow through the center of the array and results in rotational force on a downwind blade, and directs fresh air into bypass flow.

A passive magnetic bearing employs eddy currents in a copper core between neodymium annular magnets to support the copper core and an associated rotating shaft. The copper core has an annular flange that is coaxial with a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder supports a rotating shaft. An annular iron core is coaxial with and surrounds the annular flange. Annular neodymium magnets surround the upper and lower portions of the hollow cylinder. In some embodiments a touch-down bearing is made up of an upper and a lower bearing race that are spaced away from the upper surface and lower surface of the annular flange. The core rotates over the bearing race(s) until sufficient magnetic flux is generated to support the copper core and hence the shaft. Once spinning, a magnetic field is generated in the copper core.

An axial-flux generator for fluid turbines has a continuously variable generator that is constructed of a pair of rotors that move radially across a stator resulting in varying torque and varying power output. In one embodiment the rotors are normally held proximal to the center of a stator by spring tension. The stator is larger than the normally held position of the rotors. As the angular velocity of the rotors increases, the rotors move radially toward the perimeter of the stator, thus encountering a greater stator surface area providing increased torque, increased power generation and a higher-rated output speed when used with a fluid turbine.