A turbine includes a stack of substantially parallel disks, the rotation
of which causes rotation of a shaft. The disks are separated by
peripheral spacers, each peripheral spacer having the shape of an
airfoil. Each peripheral spacer defines a chord which is angled radially
inward, towards the axis of rotation of the disk. The peripheral spacers
are located only in the vicinity of the periphery of the disk. Air, or
other fluid, entering the turbine engages the airfoil shaped peripheral
spacers, and the flow of air generates lift, and associated drag, causing
the energy of the fluid to be more efficiently converted into mechanical,
and ultimately, electrical power. The turbine is especially useful in
harnessing wind energy for the generation of electric power.