Patent ID: 6616402
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: F03D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
A fluid current motor for extracting energy, in the form of shaft rotation capable of driving a load, from a fluid flow relative to a surface, comprising:a resiliently flexible tower/driveshaft having a stiffness, having a.basal end and a distal end, said tower/driveshaft projecting from substantially proximate said surface, substantially proximate said basal end, substantially away from said surface; a cantilevered bearing means which rotatably supports said tower/driveshaft, in a cantilevered manner, substantially from said basal end; a multiplicity of fluid reactive rotors, coaxially attached at spaced intervals to a section of said tower/driveshaft; wherein:said tower/driveshaft is caused by said fluid flow and gravity to bend along at least a portion of its length in a generally downstream direction; whereby:due to said bending, said section is caused to become sufficiently properly oriented to said fluid flow that said rotors are caused by said fluid flow to rotate, thereby causing the tower/driveshaft to rotate, along its entire length, however it may bend, so that useful power in the form of shaft rotation is drawn therefrom, proximate said basal end.