Patent ID: 8393853

Claim:
A turbine comprising: a) a central shaft having a scalable length and being engaged coaxially with a generator; b) a plurality of blades that rotate in a single direction when exposed to fluid flow, wherein the plurality of blades are joined to the central shaft by a plurality of radial spokes disposed substantially perpendicular to the central shaft and at least at the center of the turbine such that the rotating plurality of blades causes the shaft to rotate, and wherein the plurality of blades further comprise: i.) an airfoil-shaped cross section having a non-zero angle of attack, which angle is defined by an intersection of the chord of the airfoil-shaped cross section and a tangential line abutting the same cross section and oriented in the direction of fluid flow; ii.) a spiral wound trajectory rotating around the central shaft and having a variable radius along the length of the central shaft such that a distance measured from the plurality of blades to the center shaft is greater at the center of the turbine than at either end, wherein the plurality of radial spokes affix the plurality of blades to the central shaft at the variable radius; and c) a removable shaft extension system supported by a bearing carrier and disposed between the central shaft and the generator engaged with the central shaft such that the generator is removable without requiring disassembly of the turbine.