Patent ID: 8546969

Claim:
A ribbon drive power generation apparatus comprising: an outer containment tube having a substantially constant inner diameter, an intake at a first end, and an outlet at a second end; at least one ribbon extending radially inward from an outer peripheral edge a length less than the radius of the outer containment tube to form a central axial opening in the ribbon, the ribbon located entirely within the outer containment tube in a longitudinal direction, and formed of coils extending in a helical manner from the first end to the second end of the outer containment tube, wherein a frequency of coils per unit length of outer containment tube increases from the first end to the second end of the outer containment tube; a rigid central tube having a substantially constant diameter attached to an inner edge of the ribbon; and means for obtaining power from rotation of the ribbon and the rigid central tube within the outer containment tube so as to generate power from fluid moving from the first end to the second end.