Patent attributes
A hydroelectric machine and system is disclosed comprising an electric generator and water turbine configured for direct immersion into a naturally flowing body of water such as the ocean, stream, or a tidal basin. In one embodiment, the water turbine includes a rotor having plurality of pivotably moveable blades which sequentially open and close to capture fluid or kinetic energy when exposed to the water current from any direction. In one embodiment, the blades are arranged in overlapping relationship to maximize the number of blades and active blade surface area for capturing fluid energy and reducing flow turbulence around the water turbine. Various embodiments include arcuately curved blades and reverse curved trailing edges for early capture of fluid and initiation of the blade extension outwards from the rotor.
