US Patent 9573697 Energy recovery of an aircraft

An apparatus for energy recovery of an aircraft, an aircraft comprising the apparatus and a method of energy recovery are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine having a body and rotor blades. The turbine is adapted to be mounted to the exterior of an aircraft, such that the body receives an air stream flowing at the exterior of the aircraft. The rotor blades are selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein at the deployed position the rotor blades are rotated by the air stream so as to generate electricity. The blades may be deployed during descent of the aircraft to recover energy normally irretrievably dissipated as the aircraft descends and slows. The blades are stowed when not in use, such as during take-off and cruise.