Turbines and associated components, systems and methods

Abstract

Turbines and associated components, systems, and methods are described. In some embodiments, the turbine blades and turbines are configured to convert kinetic energy present in fluid (e.g., water) to other forms of energy (e.g., in a hydrokinetic energy system in a river or ocean) relatively efficiently and/or at relatively low cut-in speeds. The turbine blades may have a shape and/or include structural features that contribute at least in part to relatively high efficiency and/or relatively low cut-in speeds. In some embodiments, the turbine blades have a geometry similar to the geometry of a maple seed.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A rotor for a turbine system, comprising:
 a turbine blade comprising:
 a distal end; and 
 a proximal end closer to an axis of rotation of the rotor than the distal end; 
   wherein the turbine blade has a longitudinal dimension extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and   wherein the turbine blade is configured such that fluid flow along the longitudinal dimension induces rotation of the rotor.   
     
     
         53 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine blade has a thickness dimension and a lateral dimension perpendicular to the thickness dimension and the longitudinal dimension, and wherein the turbine blade is configured such that fluid flow along the lateral dimension induces rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         54 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine blade is a first turbine blade, and the rotor comprises a second turbine blade incorporated into the rotor. 
     
     
         55 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the rotor has a single turbine blade. 
     
     
         56 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the rotor comprises a hub, and where the turbine blade is attached to and extends from the hub. 
     
     
         57 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the rotor comprises a hub, and wherein the hub is hollow. 
     
     
         58 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the rotor comprises a hub having an exterior surface, and wherein less than or equal to 90% of a volume bound by the exterior surface of the hub is occupied by solid material. 
     
     
         59 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the rotor comprises an exterior structure, and the distal end of the turbine blade is attached to the exterior structure. 
     
     
         60 . The rotor of  claim 59 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a cylinder. 
     
     
         61 . The rotor of  claim 59 , wherein the rotor lacks a hub. 
     
     
         62 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine blade comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a vane extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. 
     
     
         63 . The rotor of  claim 62 , wherein the vane has a first width at a first distance and a second width at a second, greater distance along an axis of the vane from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
         64 . The rotor of  claim 63 , wherein a width of the vane decreases monotonically along an axis of the vane from the leading edge toward the trailing edge. 
     
     
         65 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein at least a portion of the turbine blade is in the shape of a maple seed. 
     
     
         66 . The rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine blade has a thickness dimension and a lateral dimension perpendicular to the thickness dimension and the longitudinal dimension, and wherein at least 50% of cross-sections of the turbine blade within 10% of a distance from the proximal end to the distal end of the turbine blade, taken along a plane parallel to the thickness dimension and the lateral dimension of the turbine blade, have a positive camber. 
     
     
         67 . A turbine system comprising the rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine system is configured to convert mechanical energy from a moving fluid to a different form of energy. 
     
     
         68 . A turbine system comprising the rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine system is configured such that rotation of the rotor is caused by the flow of a fluid in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         69 . A turbine system comprising the rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine system is configured such that rotation of the rotor is caused by the flow of a fluid in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         70 . A turbine system comprising the rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine system is part of a wind turbine. 
     
     
         71 . A turbine system comprising the rotor of  claim 52 , wherein the turbine system is part of a hydroturbine. 
     
     
         72 . The turbine system of  claim 71 , wherein the hydroturbine comprises an anchor point, wherein the anchor point is buoyant. 
     
     
         73 . The turbine system  claim 71 , wherein the hydroturbine comprises an anchor point, wherein the anchor point is anchored to the ground. 
     
     
         74 . A hydroturbine system comprising a turbine blade, wherein:
 at least a portion of the turbine blade is in the shape of a maple seed, and   the hydroturbine system is configured to convert mechanical energy from moving water to a different form of energy.