The present invention provides a turbine sub-runner that is positioned to be within the vortex zone of a turbine wicket gates (zone “S—R”, FIG. 1). The sub-runner includes at least two sub-runner blades, configured to monitor the relative flow of the vortex created by the wicket gates. A control mechanism is connected to the sub-runner shaft via gear and threaded interface, and is capable of transferring the relative (vs main-runner) rotational energy of the sub-runner into angular movement of the main runner blades. As the sub-runner interacts with the changing conditions of the main vortex within the zone “S—R”, it will act to automatically regulate, adjust, and control the angle of the main runner blades to optimize the performance of the turbine. The sub-runner uses the energy of the vortex existing in the zone “S—R” to perform the monitoring, regulation, adjustment and control of the main runner through regulating angular position of main runner blades.

An axial impeller has a tubular housing mounted on bearings for rotation. The housing is capable of engaging a motor or generator directly or through a drive belt. Interior turbine blades are mounted on the housing wall. The blades may be hinged so they can rotate between a retracted position adjacent to the wall and an extended radial position. Rods penetrate the wall to position the blades between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the blades may be rotated to propel a fluid through the housing; and when retracted natural fluid flow is less restricted.

Embodiments of the present invention are related to a shrouded Kaplan and shrouded propeller-type hydraulic turbine. More in particular, the embodiments relate to a blade for such shrouded turbines. An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to add a winglet on the pressure side of a blade to eliminate a large gap between the blade and the shroud, in order to improve performances, decrease marginal cavitation, and improve fish friendliness.

The present invention provides a turbine sub-runner that is positioned to be within the vortex zone of a turbine main runner. The sub-runner includes at least two sub-runner blades, configured to monitor the relative flow of the vortex created by the main runner. A sub-runner hub will be positioned downstream of the main runner blades. A sub-runner shaft, having a threaded section, will also be a part of the sub-runner, and will be connected to the sub-runner hub housing adjustable sub-runner blades and the mechanism enabling to regulate angular position of sub-runner blades. A main runner blades control mechanism will be connected to the sub-runner shaft via threaded interface, and is capable of transferring the rotational energy of the sub-runner into angular movement of the main runner blades. As the sub-runner interacts with the changing conditions of the main runner vortex, it will act to automatically regulate, adjust, and control the angle of the main runner blades to optimize the performance of the turbine. The sub-runner uses the energy of the sub-runner blades to perform the monitoring, regulation, adjustment and control of the main runner through regulating angular position of main runner blades.

The double-regulated turbine comprises a spherical hub, adapted to rotate around a first rotation axis, and blades, which are each able to be swivelled relative to the hub around a second rotation axis, transversal to the first rotation axis, by respective coupling flanges that are mounted fixedly on the spherical hub and that include each an attachment surface for a corresponding blade. The attachment surface of the coupling flanges includes a flat portion.

The lengths and/or chords and/or pitches of wind turbine or propeller blades are individually established, so that a first blade can have a length/chord/pitch that is different at a given time to the length/chord/pitch of a second blade to optimize performance and/or to equalize stresses on the system.

Disclosed is an energy converting apparatus for converting mechanical energy obtained by a fluid flow into electric energy. The energy converting apparatus comprises: a blade; a measuring device for measuring reaction of the blade when the fluid flow exerts an external force on the blade, and generating a measurement value corresponding to a measurement result; a memory for storing control values; a controller for reading a first control value among the control values from the memory in response to the measurement value output from the measuring device, and generating a control signal by using the first control value; and an actuator for changing a three-dimensional shape of the blade in response to the control signal output from the controller.

The present invention provides a turbine sub-runner that is positioned to be within the vortex zone of a turbine main runner. The sub-runner includes at least two sub-runner blades, configured to monitor the relative flow of the vortex created by the main runner. A sub-runner hub will be positioned downstream of the main runner blades. A sub-runner shaft, having a threaded section, will also be a part of the sub-runner, and will be connected to the sub-runner hub housing adjustable sub-runner blades and the mechanism enabling to regulate angular position of sub-runner blades. A main runner blades control mechanism will be connected to the sub-runner shaft via threaded interface, and is capable of transferring the rotational energy of the sub-runner into angular movement of the main runner blades. As the sub-runner interacts with the changing conditions of the main runner vortex, it will act to automatically regulate, adjust, and control the angle of the main runner blades to optimize the performance of the turbine. The sub-runner uses the energy of the sub-runner blades to perform the monitoring, regulation, adjustment and control of the main runner through regulating angular position of main runner blades.

An axial impeller has a tubular housing mounted on bearings for rotation. The housing is capable of engaging a motor or generator directly or through a drive belt. Interior turbine blades are mounted on the housing wall. The blades may be hinged so they can rotate between a retracted position adjacent to the wall and an extended radial position. Rods penetrate the wall to position the blades between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the blades may be rotated to propel a fluid through the housing; and when retracted natural fluid flow is less restricted.

An arrangement of lifting surfaces including a primary lifting surface having a flexural axis extending in the spanwise direction of the lifting surface, a root, and a tip. A first tip device is attached to the tip and has a first lifting surface. A second tip device is attached to the tip and has a second lifting surface. A control system is coupled to the first and second tip devices for moving the first and second lifting surfaces relative to the tip and/or for actively controlling circulation of the first and second lifting surfaces. The control system is operable to change a value of torque effective at the primary lifting surface about the flexural axis. Also, a method of controlling an arrangement of lifting surfaces.