The Gorlov helical turbine, or GHT, is a water turbine that evolved from the Darrieus turbine design by giving it helical rather than straight blades, letting it convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. It was invented by Alexander M. Gorlov, a professor at Northeastern University, patented between 1995 and 2001, and won the 2001 ASME Thomas A. Edison Award. Its helical blades distribute foil sections evenly through each rotation, producing smoother torque and less vibration than a straight-bladed Darrieus turbine, and because it is a vertical-axis design its axis stays perpendicular to the water flow, so it keeps working regardless of which direction the current runs. Laboratory testing has recorded energy-capture efficiency up to 35 percent.
Facts
Technology Type Invented YearPatented in a series of patents from September 19, 1995 to July 3, 2001; 1995 is the first patent date in that series. Classification
MaturityTRL 7: System Prototype Demonstration in Operational Environment 1 Sources
1. Wikipedia: Gorlov helical turbine
WikipediaIntroduction, third sentenceQuote, Introduction, third sentence
It was patented in a series of patents from September 19, 1995 to July 3, 2001 and won 2001 ASME Thomas A. Edison.
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