Systems and methods for generating electrical energy

Abstract

A vertical twin rotor water turbine apparatus and method for extracting energy from a flow of water is described herein. The described apparatus delivers favorable performance by virtue the operation of a novel configuration of a plurality of central cores with at least one blade member extending from each core and flow directors to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of said device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blade for use with an energy-generating turbine, the turbine having a central rotating member, the blade having a ram surface and a lift surface, the blade comprising:
 an inner portion proximate the central rotating member;   a central portion beginning at a distal end of the inner portion; and,   an outer portion beginning at a distal end of the central portion and terminating in a sharp tip;   wherein the central portion is curved to induced lift to the lift surface of the blade; and   wherein a curvature of the outer portion at the tip substantially corresponds to a curvature of a circular path travelled by the tip of the blade during rotation of the central rotating member.   
     
     
         2 . The blade of  claim 1  wherein the blade is rotatable through a ram cycle and a non-ram cycle, the blade further comprising a plurality of fluid flow-through mechanisms for alleviating pressure against the blade while rotating through the non-ram cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The blade of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of fluid flow-through mechanisms comprise a plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         4 . The blade of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of louvers are configured to close when the blade rotates through the ram cycle and to open when the blade rotates through the non-ram cycle.