Turbines

Abstract

The invention generally relates to turbines that efficiently process air or fluid flow while producing substantially no vibrational effects. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a turbine including a rotatable shaft, and at least one blade connected to the rotatable shaft, in which the blade includes a helical shape and an angle of about 180° or greater.

1 . A turbine comprising:
 a rotatable shaft; and   at least one blade connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein the blade comprises a helical shape and has an angle of about 180° or greater.   
     
     
         2 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade further comprises a helical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein a trailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion and a trailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the blade is shaped as an airfoil. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises an angle of about 270° or greater. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises an angle of about 360° or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein an interior of the blade comprises a foam core and an exterior of the blade a shell made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, fiberglass composite, metal, and polymeric. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is operably connected to a generator. 
     
     
         11 . A turbine, the turbine comprising:
 a rotatable shaft; and   a plurality of blades connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein each blade comprises a helical shape and the blades are twisted to such a degree that vibrational effects from rotation of the blades are substantially eliminated.   
     
     
         12 . The turbine according to  claim 11 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion. 
     
     
         13 . The turbine according to  claim 11 , wherein a trailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         14 . The turbine according to  claim 11 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion and a tailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine according to  claim 11 , wherein a cross section of the blade is shaped as an airfoil. 
     
     
         16 . A wind turbine, the turbine comprising:
 a rotatable shaft; and   a plurality of blades connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein each blade comprises a helical shape and the blades are twisted to such a degree that the blades rotate about the shaft at a speed greater than the actual wind speed.   
     
     
         17 . The turbine according to  claim 16 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine according to  claim 16 , wherein a trailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine according to  claim 16 , wherein a leading edge of the blade comprises a bulbous portion and a tailing edge of the blade comprises a winglet. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine according to  claim 16 , wherein a cross section of the blade is shaped as an airfoil.