A water turbine assembly having turbines mounted inline on a flexible shaft

摘要

The invention entails a water turbine 6 mounted on a flexible shaft 12. Preferably several turbines 6 are arranged inline and transmit drive through a common flexible shaft. The flexible shaft may be inherently flexible and be able to bend, or may be bestowed flexibility by several rigid sections 12 connected pivotably, eg., by universal joints 13. The number, size and type of turbines may be altered, as can the length of the flexible shaft. Ideally, the buoyancy of the flexible cable can be adjusted by adding floats 14 or weights. The shaft is preferably connected to a generator 1 or a pump, which can swivel 11 to orientate itself in the direction of the flexible shaft. The generator may be attached to the seabed, a bridge, or a tethered float. Use is envisaged in rivers, and locations exposed to tidal flow.