Patent ID: 7540705

Claim:
A fluid turbine comprising: a support framework; a load unit; one or more rotors mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and operatively connected to the load unit; a plurality of blades supported in a plurality of rows along a length of each of the one or more rotors, each blade of the plurality of blades having a blade axis extending radially therefrom and formed having a first attachment end for connection to the rotor and a second end having an arcuate face, a plane of a chord of the arcuate face being rotated about the blade axis at an angle relative to the rotor axis, each row of the plurality of rows being spaced about a circumference of the rotor; a lower shroud supported in the framework for shielding at least the second end of the plurality of blades when the blades are rotated therein and having an open top for exposing at least the second end of the plurality of blades into contact with wind when the blades are rotated thereto; and an inner shroud nested within the lower shroud in an open position wherein the blades are exposed to the fluid for contact therewith and rotatable therein to cover the open top of the lower shroud in a closed, failsafe position.