Accelerated and-or redirected flow-inducing and-or low pressure field or area-inducing arrangement, their use with turbine-like devices and method for using same

A method for enhancing the performance of a turbine-like device, comprising:

• operating a turbine-like device having a fluid inlet end and a fluid exit end defining a direction of fluid flow through the device, which device includes a generally cylindrical accelerator shroud section that defines within its cylindrical cross-section a fluid flow area and a rotor assembly that is (a) mounted for rotation within the accelerator shroud around an axis that is generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow through the turbine-like device, and (b) includes a plurality of rotor blades extending radially outwardly from the center of the turbine-like device, by allowing a fluid to flow through the device;
• and
• allowing the flowing fluid to pass through at least one, of the following devices:
• (a) a forward deflector structure designed to be placed in front of the fluid inlet end of the device an comprising an arrangement that creates at least one of an accelerated flow- and/or redirected flow-inducing effect;
• and (b) a rear deflector structure designed to be placed at or near the fluid exit end of the device, comprising an arrangement that induces a low or reduced pressure field beyond the exit end of the device.