Patent ID: 7997870

Claim:
A turbine rotor for electrical power generation from moving fluid, comprising: (a) a turbine rotor base, having a central axis, an upstream end and a downstream end, the turbine rotor base having cross-sections in planes perpendicular to the central axis that are generally circular, the turbine rotor base having a major portion in which the cross-sections perpendicular to the central axis increase in size from the upstream end of the turbine rotor base to the downstream end of the turbine rotor base, the turbine rotor base further being rotatably mountable on an axial shaft; and (b) turbine blades that protrude from the sides of the base, the turbine blades including flexible portions; wherein the turbine blades have stiff portions that protrude directly from the sides of the base, and to which the turbine blade flexible portions are attached; and wherein the turbine blade stiff portions that protrude from the sides of the base each have a shape that is wider at the upstream end of the turbine rotor base than at the downstream end of the turbine rotor base.