A fluid turbine has semi-spherical, hollow blades arrayed about a vertical axis. 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 combination of holes and a deflector surface generates vortices as updraft flow passes through holes, creating a pressure differential between the area surrounding the holes and the upper portions of the blade. Fluid passing from relatively higher pressure to relatively lower pressure passes the deflector surface, forming vortices that result in rotational force on the blades of the fluid turbine.

A vertical-axis renewable-power generator is an apparatus that is used to efficiently generate power in various weather conditions using renewable energy sources. The apparatus includes a vertically-oriented foil and a fluid turbine. The foil is designed to generate areas of relative high fluid velocity and low pressure on one side and relative lower fluid velocity and higher pressure on the opposite side. The foil is also self-directing so that the foil can follow the direction of the fluid flow. The fluid turbine is integrated into the foil so that the fluid turbine can be rotated by the high-speed fluid flow. The rotation of the fluid turbine can be used to generate electricity. The apparatus conforms to the Bernoulli's principle that is proven to increase the speed of the fluid flow over the foil, which is used to increase the speed of the fluid flow impacting the fluid turbine.

An apparatus for amplifying rotating force of a wind power generator includes a blade rotated by wind power, a central rotating shaft rotated by the rotation of the blade, upper and lower horizontal rotating units spread upwards or downwards when the blade rotates, upper and lower fastening plates, a vertical rotating unit continuously rotating the upper horizontal rotating unit and doubling the rotating speed of the upper horizontal rotating unit by repulsive force of a magnetic member, a horizontal rotating shaft rotating the vertical rotating unit as the blade rotates, a shaft conversion unit rotating the horizontal rotating shaft by the rotation of the central rotating shaft, a horizontal-rotating-shaft support supporting the vertical rotating unit and the horizontal rotating shaft, a frame unit stably holding the apparatus and protecting the apparatus from external force, and a bearing.

A lightning protection system can include a socket, a receptor plug, a tip receptor, and a tip receptor mount. The socket can extend at least partly through a blade wall, and can include a socket body, a first retention shoulder, and a plurality of first teeth. The receptor plug can include a plug body, a plug conductor, a second retention shoulder, and a plurality of second teeth. The first retention shoulder can engage the second retention shoulder to secure the receptor plug to the socket. The first plurality of teeth can engage the second plurality of teeth to resist rotation of the receptor plug. The tip receptor mount can include latticed bonding wings that can be secured to a wind turbine blade with bonding material. The receptor plug can be accessed to be secured to the socket via an opening in another socket that is foamed into the blade wall.

An apparatus for selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor includes a first deflection panel, having a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a first side of turbine rotor in a working configuration. A second deflection panel has a curved front profile for selective placement laterally on a second side of the turbine rotor, laterally opposite the first side, in a working configuration. The first and second deflection panels are both configured to amplify wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in the working configuration, and to have minimal effect upon the wind speed adjacent the turbine rotor when in a stowed configuration. A method of selectively amplifying wind speed adjacent a turbine rotor is also described.

This invention relates to an improved vertical axis water turbine assembly (2) for generating rotary power from fluid flow, the water turbine assembly (2) having active blade pitch control. The water turbine assembly (2) comprises a plurality of vertical blades (20) disposed about a vertical assembly axis, each vertical blade (20) having a vertical blade axis and being adapted for movement about said vertical blade axis. The water turbine assembly (2) further includes guide means to control the movement of each of the plurality of vertical blades (20) as the water turbine assembly (2) rotates.

A radar system for a wind turbine is provided. The radar system comprises a first radar unit (42) and a control unit (41) arranged to receive an output from the radar unit, the control unit comprising a central processing unit. The central processing unit is configured to perform a first function of determining at least one property of aircraft within a monitoring zone in the vicinity of the wind turbine and controlling a warning device to output a warning signal to detected aircraft based on the determined property; and perform a second function of determining at least one parameter of prevailing weather in the vicinity of the wind turbine. A corresponding method is also provided.

A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.

In a vertical rotor apparatus that rotates in response to a moving fluid, a shaft defines an axis of rotor rotation. Rotor blades are longitudinally aligned in parallel with the shaft and each rotor blade defines an axis of blade rotation. A sensor generates a signal when any of the rotor blades are within rotor azimuthal angles of blade stall regions. A controller generates blade pitch information for the blade stall regions and an actuator, which is mechanically coupled to each of the rotor blades, alters blade pitch about the axis of blade rotation in accordance with the blade pitch information.

A reciprocal motion wind energy harvesting device has a first vane carrier assembly and a second vane carrier assembly, which are supported by and rotate about a central shaft. The vane carrier assemblies support pluralities of vanes to receive wind force. The vanes are configured to be rotatable in order to produce opposing and reciprocating motion of the lever arm assemblies. The lever arm assemblies are operatively connected to a generator in order to convert the wind force received by the vanes into energy.