Fluid driven vertical axis turbine

Abstract

A fluid turbine comprises a rotor rotatable in use about an axis transverse to the direction of fluid flow, the rotor having a first part carrying a plurality of arcuate blades that may be arranged selectably in compact straight shapes or in arcuate shapes and a second part journalled in a base structure by two or more bearings.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fluid turbine comprising:
 a base structure having a top portion and a bottom portion hingedly coupled by at least one hinge;   a rotor cantilever supported in the base structure, the rotor carrying a plurality of substantially arcuate blades;   at least one hydraulic cylinder having a first end coupled and a second end, the cylinder being coupled between the top portion and the bottom portion of the base structure, for pivotally modifying an angle therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid turbine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arcuate blades are connected at their opposite ends to the rotor;
 at least one blade is formed of at least three segments coupled by joints, at least two of the joints being articulated for permitting the mutual inclination of two adjacent segments to be varied while the ends of the blade are coupled to the rotor.   
     
     
         3 . A fluid turbine comprising:
 base structure having a top portion and a bottom portion hingedly coupled by at least one hinge;   a tower supported in the base structure, the tower carrying a horizontal axis turbine portion;   at least one hydraulic cylinder having a first end coupled and a second end, the cylinder being coupled between the top portion and the bottom portion of the base structure, for pivotally modifying an angle therebetween.