Patented turbines for low-cost electricity from low-velocity streams

Prototypes 1 and 2

In the two vertical-axis turbine prototypes shown below, the blades have a unique design which allows the turbine to turn with minimal resistance, when surrounded by moving water. The blades are pivoted to avoid water resistance when they travel against the water, BUT the blades capture energy from the moving water when the blades travel in sync with the flowing water

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 Pictures of prototypes 1 and 2
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Prototype 1

The Prototype 1 is about 3 feet tall with four blades. The blades tilt when  moving against air/water.  The first two pictures refer to Prototype 1.

FAN TEST for Prototype 1
Prototype 1 was tested by blowing air from a fan towards the blades. The invention works easily with air moving through the turbine. Since water is of a  higher density, the turbine would move easily and capture energy from the water moving through it. While this model has worked with four tilting blades, it has been tested with two blades too, and it works successfully with only two tilting blades. The blades are horizontally hinged above the blade's center of gravity. 

PROTOTYPE 2 (two pictures)
This is a more compact prototype, about 3' tall. The upper picture shows the water inlet side of the prototype. Water enters the turbine through the square opening at the lower end under the generator to turn the turbine blades facing the square water inlet.
​The lower picture is a side view, water enters from the left, turns the turbine blades and exits on the right side. Prototype 2 can be tested on a small stream of water.

Future PROTOTYPE 3 (no picture)
This prototype under development will be even more compact than Prototype 2.

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