Patent ID: 8297910
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: F03D,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fluid turbine system, comprising: a turbine comprising blades rotatable about an axis, the blades defining a window along a substantial portion of a height of the blades, wherein each of the blades defines a substantially planar push surface portion that extends outwardly from the window to a curved tip portion, wherein a first plane parallel with and intersecting the axis divides the space surrounding the turbine into a return side and a push side opposite the return side, the turbine configured to rotate generally in an upstream direction on the return side and generally in a downstream direction on the push side relative to a fluid flowing nominally parallel to the plane; and a concentrator positionable upstream of at least a portion of the turbine and at least partially or completely on the return side, the concentrator comprising a first curved surface portion configured to extend from a first position upstream of the turbine to a second position further upstream of the turbine and further into the return side, wherein the first curved surface portion is configured to be convex facing an upstream direction of the fluid flow, the first curved surface portion positionable to deflect at least some fluid toward the push side, the concentrator further positionable to create a relative vacuum to draw at least some fluid away from the window of the blades; wherein the substantially planar push surface portion of each of the blades is offset in a radial direction from the axis of rotation; wherein the curved tip portions are configured such that, when the substantially planar push surface portion of any one of the blades is parallel to the plane, the curved tip portion extends from one side of the plane to the other side of the plane; wherein each of the blades further defines a curved rear surface portion that is curved relative to the substantially planar push surface portion.