Patent ID: 8288883

Claim:
A device for capturing energy from a fluid flow, said device comprising: a base adapted for stationary mounting relative to said fluid flow; a member, having a longitudinal axis, pivotally connected relative to said base about a first pivotal axis, the first pivotal axis being generally vertical, said member adapted to move relative to said base, in response to the fluid flow, towards a position in which said longitudinal axis generally aligns with the direction of the fluid flow passing the member; a lift generating element connected to said member and movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by said lift generating element as fluid flows therearound to thereby drive said member in oscillatory motion relative to said base, said oscillatory motion being oscillatory pivotal motion about the first pivotal axis; and an energy transfer mechanism attached to said member and adapted to be driven by the oscillation of said member, wherein the lift generating element is pivotally connected to said member about a second pivotal axis, and wherein the second pivotal axis is substantially vertical and the lift generating element is adapted to generate a substantially horizontal lift.