Wind rotor operable in slow wind speeds

ABSTRACT

A wind rotor comprises a base, a rotor frame rotationally supported on the base for movement about a substantially vertical axis in one of a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, and a plurality of wind receiving vanes pivotally disposed on the rotor frame for movement about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position and a second open position. The movement of each vane from the first closed position to the second open position further being independent of the other vanes. A variable resistance damping mechanism assembly is disposed between each vane and the rotor frame. The variable resistance damping mechanism is configured to provide damping in both the clockwise and the counterclockwise directions, and to dampen a greater amount in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions than in the other.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of one version of the wind rotor of the present invention. As is shown, the wind rotor includes a rotor frame , which includes a center portion . The rotor frame is rotationally supported on a mast or base (not shown in this figure) about a center pivot . The rotor frame moves about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise direction. Four arms A-D radiate from the center portion of the rotor frame .

Four wind receiving vanes A, B, C, and D are disposed on the rotor frame . The four wind receiving vanes A, B, C, and D each include a distal end A-D, and a proximal end A-D which is pivotally disposed on the rotor frame through a pivot connection A-D. The pivot connections A-D are substantially vertically disposed and allow the pivotal movement of the wind receiving vanes A-D with respect to the rotor frame about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position (as is shown in Position A) and a second open position (as is shown in Position C). The movement of the vanes from the first closed position to the second open position is in a clockwise direction and corresponds to the direction of the rotational movement of the rotor frame . The pivotal movement of each vane A-D is independent of the other vanes. Preferably, the substantially vertical pivot axis of each vane is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical rotational axis of the rotor frame.

Each vane A-D includes a body, which as shown is preferably planar. In the first position, Position A, the vane body of the vane is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor frame . In the second position, as is shown in Position C, the vane C is pivoted with respect to the rotor support to a position that is approximately degrees from the closed position.

A damping mechanism assembly A-D is disposed between each vane A-D and the rotor frame . As is shown, each damping mechanism assembly A-D is preferably connected to an arm through a mount A-D, which includes pivot tab A-D. Each damping mechanism assembly A-D comprises a damping mechanism A-D having a first part A-D and a second part A-D. The second part A-D of each damping mechanism A-D is moveable with respect to the first part A-D. The first part A-D is a cylinder. The second part A-D is a piston and piston rod assembly. The piston and piston rod assembly A-D is moveable in a telescoping manner with respect to the cylinder A-D, such that the piston and piston rod assembly A-D is extendable and compressible with respect to the cylinder A-D of each variable resistance damping mechanism assembly A-D. Each cylinder A-D includes an internal fluid chamber (not shown in this figure), and the piston (not shown in this figure) of each piston and piston rod assembly A-D is disposed within the internal fluid chamber of the corresponding cylinder A-D. Each cylinder. A-D also includes a first closed end, which is preferably pivotally connected to a mount tab A-D through pivots A-D, and a second end A-D having an opening through which a piston rod A-D of each piston and piston rod assembly A-D extends.

In addition to the damping mechanism A-D, each damping mechanism assembly A-D further comprises an articulating arm A-D disposed between each damping mechanism A-D and each vane A-D. Each articulating arm A-D includes a first end A-D pivotally connected to the distal end of the piston rod A-D of each the damping mechanism A-D through a pivot A-D. Each articulating arm A-D further includes and a second end A-D which is in contact with a vane A-D. Specifically, each articulating arm second end A-D includes a roller A-D, the roller being disposed for contact with a vane A-D. Preferably the roller A-D is disposed within a guide A-D disposed on the vane A-D. Each articulating arm A-D also includes a pivot bracket A-D, which is the portion of the articulating arm which is pivotally connected to a rotor arm. Specifically, in Position A, the pivot bracket A is pivotally connected to the mount A by pivot A. Mount A-D comprises the structure through which the articulating arms A-D are connected to the arms A-D of the rotor frame .

FIG. 2 shows Position A of FIG. 1 in greater detail. In Position A, the vane A is in the closed position where the vane provides a maximum drag against the wind W. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows that each cylinder (in this case cylinder A) includes a first valve A and a second valve A disposed at a spaced apart distance from the first valve A. The first valve A and second valve A are in fluid communication with the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A. The internal fluid chamber is defined by the internal wall A which is shown through the cutout portion of the cylinder A.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is the piston A of the piston and piston rod assembly A. The piston A includes an outer surface A which contacts the internal wall A of the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A. The piston A is moveable between the first valve A and the second valve A. Specifically, the piston A is movable from a first compressed position where the piston is closer to the first valve A, to a second extended position, as is shown in FIG. 2, where the piston is closer in proximity to the second valve A.

FIG. 3 shows Position C of FIG. 1 in greater detail. In Position C, the vane C is in the open position where the vane provides a minimum drag against the wind W. As is shown in this drawing, piston C is compressed into the cylinder C, as the vane C has been moved from the first closed position of Position A, as was shown in FIG. 2, to the second open position of Position C, as is shown here in FIG. .

As is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first valve A-D and second valve A-D are preferably one way valves. The first valve A-D is constructed to allow air into the internal air chamber of the cylinder A-D. The second valve A-D is constructed to allow air out of the air chamber of the cylinder A-D. Each first valve A-D includes a ball A-D disposed within a passage A-D. Similarly, each second valve A-D includes a ball A-D disposed within a passage A-D. The ball of each valve is movable from a first position where the valve passage is open, to a second position where the valve passage is closed. Such one way valves are well known and are also known as check valves.

FIG. 4 shows the wind rotor from a side view. Positions A and C are shown in this figure, as positions B and D have been removed for clarity. FIG. 4 shows that the vanes A-D are preferably rectangular panels. However, it is understood that vanes may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes. FIG. 4 also shows the base , which in this case is a mast, upon which the rotor frame is supported. The mast is only partially shown. It is understood that the mast could be supported on the ground or on another structure. It is also understood that a base other than a mast could be used. Such a base could comprise a tower, a building, etc.

FIG. 4 does not show the mechanism through which the rotational movement of the rotor frame is converted to uses such as electrical generation. Such mechanisms are well known and for that reason have not been included herein.

In use, the wind rotor of the present invention is configured to move in the clockwise direction, although it is understood that the wind rotor could have been easily configured to move in the counter clockwise direction. If the wind rotor had been configured to move in the counter clockwise direction the vanes A-D would have similarly moved in a counter clockwise direction from the closed to the open position.

The wind rotor allows wind force and centrifugal forces on each of the vanes A-D to move each vane A-D independently with respect to the rotor frame as the force of the wind causes the entirety of the wind rotor to move in the clockwise direction. Centrifugal forces on the clockwise moving wind rotor cause the vanes A-D to rotate in a clockwise direction with respect to the pivots A-D, about which the vanes A-D rotate.

In position A of FIG. 1, vane A is in a position where the vane is directly facing the wind W, where the vane provides a maximum drag against the wind W. The vane A is also in a position where the vane A is substantially radially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the wind rotor . In Position B of FIG. 1, vane B is in a position 90 degrees from Position A. In Position B, vane B is just beginning to open as a result of centrifugal force and wind forces on the vane B. Accordingly, vane B is in the process of rotating about the pivot B in a clockwise direction. Position C shows the vane C at a position 180 degrees from the vane A, which is in Position A. In Position C, centrifugal forces and wind forces have caused vane C to move clockwise to the fully open position where the vane provides a minimum drag against the wind W. In the fully open position of Position C, the vane C has rotated in a clockwise direction about the pivot C between 95 and 135 degrees from the first closed position of Position A. Preferably, the vane has rotated between 105 and 125 degrees from the first position. Optimally, the vane has rotated approximately 115 degrees from the first position. In the vane Position C, the rotation of vane C beyond 90 degrees causes vane C to be actually tacking into the wind. In Position D, vane D is just beginning to close as a result of wind forces acting on it. Specifically, the force of the wind on the vane D is opposing the centrifugal force on the vane D and is overcoming the centrifugal force causing the vane D to rotate in a counter clockwise direction about the pivot D.

As the vanes move from Position A to Position C during rotational movement of the wind rotor , the damping mechanism assembly A-D slows or dampens the clockwise rotational movement of the vanes A-D.

Specifically, the damping mechanism assembly A-D slows or dampens the clockwise rotational movement of the vanes A-D through the provision of the telescoping piston and piston rod assembly A-D that moves within the internal fluid chamber disposed within the cylinder A-D. The piston A of the piston and piston rod assembly A-D includes an outer surface A-D which is in contact with the internal wall A-D of the cylinder A-D. As the piston A-D compresses into the cylinder A-D, air within the internal fluid chamber must bleed past the piston outer surface A-D, or in other words pass between the piston outer surface A-D and the internal wall A-D, for the piston A-D to be able to continue to compress. Air pressure within the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A-D will build up in front of the piston, thus slowing or damping the movement of the piston A-D. As the air bleeds past the piston outer surface A-D the piston A-D is able to advance and further compress into the cylinder A-D.

During the compression of the piston A-D into the cylinder A-D, which occurs when the vane A-D moves from the closed Position A to the open Position C, the ball A-D within the one way valve A-D is moved from the first position where the ball was proximate to the cylinder A-D and the valve passage A-D was open, to the second position where the ball A-D has moved away from the cylinder A-D and the valve passage A-D is closed. Because the one way valve A-D is closed, air pressure builds up in front of the piston as was previously described.

As the piston and piston rod assembly A-D compresses into the cylinder A-D of the damping mechanism A-D, the articulating arm A-D pivots about the pivot A, because the articulating arm is connected to the distal end of the piston rod A-D through the pivot A. At the same time, the roller A-D that is located at the distal end of the articulating arm A-D contacts the vane A-D. Thus, the articulating arm A-D of the damping mechanism assembly A-D translates the damping forces from the damping mechanism A-D to the vane A-D.

The faster the vane A-D moves from the closed Position A to the fully open Position C, the higher the damping force are generated by the damping mechanism A-D. In other words, the faster the vane A-D moves as a result of the wind forces and centrifugal forces which act on the vane A-D causing the vane to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot A-D, the higher the damping forces produced by the damping mechanism A-D to oppose this movement. Specifically, the faster the vane moves, the faster the air pressure builds up in front of the piston A-D, thus the greater the force opposing the movement. In this way, the damping mechanism assembly A-D provides variable resistance. The damping mechanism A-D is therefore a variable resistance damping mechanism that is disposed between each vane and the rotor frame. Specifically the damping mechanism A-D is speed dependent, and not position dependent. Each damping mechanism A-D is configured to dampen a greater amount as the rotational speed of the vane A-D to which it is connected increases. The damping mechanism A-D is not dependent on the rotational speed of the wind rotor frame .

The damping mechanism A-D is a non-spring, non-biasing damping mechanism. The build up of air pressure in front of the piston A-D only slows the movement of each vane as each vane moves between the first and the second position. This build up of air pressure does not urge the vane from the second open position to the first closed position.

The damping mechanism A-D also provides the damping mechanism assembly A-D the function of a vane stop mechanism. The maximum rotation of the vane between 95 and 135 degrees is produced when the damping mechanism A-D is in the fully compressed condition shown in Position C. Specifically, the piston and piston rod assembly A-D of the damping mechanism A-D is fully compressed into the cylinder A-D and the van cannot open further. Optimally, this second or fully open position is established when the vane has rotated clockwise approximately 115 degrees from the first position. It is understood that a separate vane stop mechanism comprising a barrier which contacts the vane independently of the damping mechanism assembly A-D could also have been used to establish the second fully open position, which is shown as Position C, in FIG. .

The damping mechanism assembly A-D provides a minimum of slowing or damping to the counter clockwise rotational movement of the vanes A-D. This minimal damping of the vanes A-D during the counter clockwise rotational movement that occurs as the vanes A-D move from the open Position C to the closed Position A, also occurs through the provision of the telescoping piston and piston rod assembly A-D that moves within the internal fluid chamber disposed within the cylinder A-D. However, as the piston A-D extends from the cylinder A-D during the closing of the vanes A-D air within the internal fluid chamber does not need to bleed past the piston outer surface A-D for this extension to occur. In other words, air does not need to pass between the piston outer surface A-D and the internal wall A-D, for the piston A-D to be able to extend. Air pressure within the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A-D does not build up behind the piston to slow or dampen the movement of the piston A-D, because the air is able to leave the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A-D through the one way air valve A-D. As the air bleeds out the valve A-D the piston A-D is able to advance and further extend from the cylinder A-D. Air also enters the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A-D through the other valve A-D.

The minimal damping which occurs during the during the counter clockwise rotational movement that occurs as the vanes A-D move from the open Position C to the closed Position A, occurs due to a small amount of friction which occurs between the outer surface of the piston A-D and the cylinder internal wall A-D as telescoping piston and piston rod assembly A-D extends from the cylinder A-D.

More specifically, during the extension of the piston A-D from the cylinder A-D, which occurs when the vane A-D moves from the open Position C to the closed Position A, the ball A-D within with the one way valve A-D is moved from the first position where the ball was proximate to the cylinder A-D and the valve passage A-D was closed, to the second position where the ball A-D has moved away from the cylinder A-D and the valve passage A-D is open. Because the one way valve A-D is open, no air pressure builds up behind the piston and the piston A-D moves freely within the cylinder A-D. Again, air which is displaced by the piston A-D is replaced in the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder A-D by entering into the internal fluid chamber through the other valve A-D.

As the piston and piston rod assembly A-D extends from the cylinder A-D of the damping mechanism A-D, the articulating arm A-D pivots about the pivot A, because the articulating arm is connected to the distal end of the piston rod A-D through the pivot A. At the same time, the roller A-D that is located at the distal end of the articulating arm A-D remains in contact the vane A-D as the roller is engaged to a guide A-D that is attached to the vane A-D. Thus, the articulating arm A-D of the damping mechanism assembly A-D translates the minimal damping forces from the damping mechanism A-D to the vane A-D during the movement of the vanes A-D from the second open position, Position C, to the closed position, Position A.

Although a specific version of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is understood that the invention comprises modifications that would not depart from the scope of the invention.

For example, a hydraulic damping mechanism could be utilized in the invention. Such damping mechanisms are known and include a piston with valved openings. The piston is configured to move within an oil filled cylinder.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other changes, modifications, or substitutions are also possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one version of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing position A from FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing position C from FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing positions A and C from FIG. .

CLAIMS

1. A wind rotor comprising: a base, a rotor frame rotationally supported on the base for movement about a substantially vertical axis in one of a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, a plurality of wind receiving vanes pivotally disposed on the rotor frame for pivotal movement with respect to the rotor frame about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position and a second open position, the movement of the vanes from the first closed position to the second open position being the one of the clockwise and counter clockwise direction that corresponds to the direction of the rotational movement of the rotor frame, and a variable resistance damping mechanism assembly disposed between each vane and the rotor frame, the variable resistance damping mechanism assemblies being configured to provide damping in both the clockwise and the counterclockwise directions of the vanes pivotal movement with respect to the rotor frame, the variable resistance damping mechanism assembly further configured to dampen a greater amount in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions than in the other.

2. The wind rotor of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical pivot axis of each vane is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical rotational axis of the rotor frame.

3. The wind rotor of claim 1, wherein each vane includes a body and in the first position the vane body is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor frame.

4. The wind rotor of claim 1, wherein each vane includes a body and in the second position the vane body is pivoted with respect to the rotor frame to a position that is approximately 115 degrees from the closed position.

5. The wind rotor of claim 1, wherein each vane body is substantially planar.

6. The wind rotor of claim 1, wherein the damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism having a first and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part.

7. The wind rotor of claim 6, wherein the first part is a cylinder, and the second part is a piston and piston rod assembly, the piston and piston rod assembly being moveable in a telescoping manner with respect to the cylinder such that the piston and piston rod assembly is extendable and compressible with respect to the cylinder.

8. The wind rotor of claim 7, wherein: the cylinder includes an internal fluid chamber, and the piston is disposed within the internal fluid chamber.

9. The wind rotor of claim 8, wherein: the cylinder includes a first valve and a second valve disposed at a spaced apart distance from the first valve, the first and second valves being in fluid communication with the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder, the piston is moveable between the first valve and the second valve from a first compressed position to a second extended position, and the piston compresses into the cylinder while the vane moves from the first closed position to the second open position.

10. The wind rotor of claim 9, wherein the first and second valves are one way valves, the first valve constructed to allow air into the air chamber of the cylinder, the second valve constructed to allow air out of the air chamber of the cylinder.

11. The wind rotor of claim 10, wherein each valve includes a ball disposed within a passage.

12. The wind rotor of claim 7, wherein the cylinder includes a first closed end and a second end having an opening through which a piston rod of the piston and piston rod assembly extends.

13. The wind rotor of claim 6, wherein each damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism and an articulating arm disposed between each damping mechanism and each vane.

14. The wind rotor of claim 13, wherein each articulating arm includes a first end in contact with the damping mechanism and a second end in contact with a vane.

15. The wind rotor of claim 14, wherein each articulating arm second end includes a roller, the roller being disposed for contact with a vane.

16. The wind rotor of claim 1, further comprising a vane stop mechanism which prevents the vane from pivoting beyond the second position.

17. The wind rotor of claim 16, wherein the vane stop mechanism is the damping mechanism, and the vane stop mechanism establishes the second vane position at a position which is between 95 and 135 degrees from the first position.

18. The wind rotor of claim 17, wherein the vane stop establishes the second vane position at a position which is approximately 115 degrees from the first position.

19. A wind rotor comprising: a base, a rotor frame rotationally supported on the base for movement about a substantially vertical axis in one of a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, a plurality of wind receiving vanes pivotally disposed on the rotor frame for pivotal movement with respect to the rotor frame about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position and a second open position, the pivotal movement of the vanes from the first closed position to the second open position being the one of the clockwise and counter clockwise direction that corresponds to the direction of the rotational movement of the rotor frame, and a variable resistance damping mechanism assembly disposed between each vane and the rotor frame, the variable resistance damping mechanism assemblies being speed dependent, and not position dependent, such that each variable resistance damping mechanism assembly is configured to dampen a greater amount as the speed of the pivotal movement of the vane with respect to the rotor frame increases as the vane pivotally moves between the first closed position and the second open position.

20. The wind rotor of claim 19, wherein the substantially vertical pivot axis of each vane is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical rotational axis of the rotor frame.

21. The wind rotor of claim 19, wherein each vane includes a body and in the first position the vane body is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor frame.

22. The wind rotor of claim 21, wherein each vane body is substantially planar.

23. The wind rotor of claim 19, wherein each vane includes a body and in the second position the vane body is pivoted with respect to the rotor frame to a position that is approximately 115 degrees from the closed position.

24. The wind rotor of claim 19, wherein the damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism having a first and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part.

25. The wind rotor of claim 24, wherein the first part is a cylinder, and the second part is a piston and piston rod assembly, the piston and piston rod assembly being moveable in a telescoping manner with respect to the cylinder such that the piston and piston rod assembly is extendable and compressible with respect to the cylinder.

26. The wind rotor of claim 25, wherein: the cylinder includes an internal fluid chamber, and the piston is disposed within the internal fluid chamber.

27. The wind rotor of claim 26, wherein: the cylinder includes a first valve and a second valve disposed at a spaced apart distance from the first valve, the first and second valves being in fluid communication with the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder, the piston is moveable between the first valve and the second valve from a first compressed position to a second extended position, and the piston compresses into the cylinder while the vane moves from the first closed position to the second open position.

28. The wind rotor of claim 27, wherein the first and second valves are one way valves, the first valve constructed to allow air into the air chamber of the cylinder, the second valve constructed to allow air out of the air chamber of the cylinder.

29. The wind rotor of claim 25, wherein the cylinder includes a first closed end and a second end having an opening through which a piston rod of the piston and piston rod assembly extends.

30. The wind rotor of claim 24, wherein each damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism and an articulating arm disposed between each damping mechanism and each vane.

31. The wind rotor of claim 30, wherein each articulating arm includes a first end in contact with the damping mechanism and a second end in contact with a vane.

32. The wind rotor of claim 19, further comprising a vane stop mechanism which prevents the vane from pivoting beyond the second position.

33. The wind rotor of claim 32, wherein the vane stop mechanism is the damping mechanism, and the vane stop mechanism establishes the second vane position at a position which is between 95 and 135 degrees from the first position.

34. The wind rotor of claim 33, wherein the vane stop establishes the second vane position at a position which is approximately 115 degrees from the first position.

35. A wind rotor comprising: a base, a rotor frame rotationally supported on the base for movement about a substantially vertical axis in one of a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, a plurality of wind receiving vanes pivotally disposed on the rotor frame for pivotal movement with respect to the rotor frame about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position and a second open position, the pivotal movement of the vanes from the first closed position to the second open position being the one of the clockwise and counter clockwise direction that corresponds to the direction of the rotational movement of the rotor frame, and a non-spring, non-biasing damping mechanism assembly comprising an enclosed fluid chamber disposed between each vane and the rotor support, wherein the non-spring, non-biasing damping mechanism assembly slows the movement of each vane as each vane pivotally moves between the first and the second position, but does not urge the vane from the second open position to the first closed position.

36. The wind rotor of claim 35, wherein the substantially vertical pivot axis of each vane is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical rotational axis of the rotor frame.

37. The wind rotor of claim 35, wherein each vane includes a body and in the first position the vane body is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor frame.

38. The wind rotor of claim 35, wherein each vane includes a body and in the second position the vane body is pivoted with respect to the rotor frame to a position that is approximately 115 degrees from the closed position.

39. The wind rotor of claim 35, wherein each vane body is substantially planar.

40. The wind rotor of claim 35, wherein the damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism having a first and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part.

41. The wind rotor of claim 40, wherein the first part is a cylinder, and the second part is a piston and piston rod assembly, the piston and piston rod assembly being moveable in a telescoping manner with respect to the cylinder such that the piston and piston rod assembly is extendable and compressible with respect to the cylinder.

42. The wind rotor of claim 41, wherein: the cylinder includes the enclosed fluid chamber, and the piston is disposed within the fluid chamber.

43. The wind rotor of claim 42, wherein the cylinder includes a first closed end and a second end having an opening through which a piston rod of the piston and piston rod assembly extends.

44. The wind rotor of claim 42, wherein: the cylinder includes a first valve and a second valve disposed at a spaced apart distance from the first valve, the first and second valves being in fluid communication with the internal fluid chamber of the cylinder, the piston is moveable between the first valve and the second valve from a first compressed position to a second extended position, and the piston compresses into the cylinder while the vane moves from the first closed position to the second open position.

45. The wind rotor of claim 44, wherein the first and second valves are one way valves, the first valve constructed to allow air into the air chamber of the cylinder, the second valve constructed to allow air out of the air chamber of the cylinder.

46. The wind rotor of claim 40, wherein each damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism and an articulating arm disposed between each damping mechanism and each vane.

47. The wind rotor of claim 46, wherein each articulating arm includes a first end in contact with the damping mechanism and a second end in contact with a vane.

48. The wind rotor of claim 35, further comprising a vane stop mechanism which prevents the vane from pivoting beyond the second position.

49. The wind rotor of claim 48, wherein the vane stop mechanism is the damping mechanism, and the vane stop mechanism establishes the second vane position at a position which is between 95 and 135 degrees from the first position.

50. The wind rotor of claim 49, wherein the vane stop establishes the second vane position at a position which is approximately 115 degrees from the first position.

51. A wind rotor comprising: a base, a rotor frame rotationally supported on the base for movement about a substantially vertical axis in one of a clockwise or counter clockwise direction, and a plurality of wind receiving vanes pivotally disposed on the rotor frame for pivotal movement with respect to the rotor frame about a substantially vertical axis in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction between a first closed position and a second open position beyond which the vane cannot pivot further, the pivotal movement of the vanes from the first closed position to the second open position being the one of the clockwise and counter clockwise direction that corresponds to the direction of the rotational movement of the rotor frame, wherein in the first closed position the vane is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotor rotational axis, and in the second open position the vane is pivoted with respect to the rotor support to a position that is between 95 and 135 degrees of rotational movement from the first closed position.

52. The wind rotor of claim 51, further comprising a stop mechanism preventing the movement of each vane beyond the second open position, the stop mechanism being constructed to stop the vane in the second open position at a position that is approximately 115 degrees of rotational movement from the first closed position.

53. The wind rotor of claim 51, wherein the substantially vertical pivot axis of each vane is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical rotational axis of the rotor frame.

54. The wind rotor of claim 51, wherein each vane includes a body and in the first position the vane body is substantially radially disposed with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor frame.

55. The wind rotor of claim 54, wherein each vane body is substantially planar.

56. The wind rotor of claim 51, wherein each vane includes a body and in the second position the vane body is pivoted with respect to the rotor frame to a position that is approximately 115 degrees from the closed position.

57. The wind rotor of claim 51, wherein the damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism having a first and a second part, the second part being moveable with respect to the first part.

58. The wind rotor of claim 57, wherein the first part is a cylinder having an internal fluid chamber, and the second part is a piston and piston rod assembly, the piston and piston rod assembly being moveable in a telescoping manner with respect to the cylinder such that the piston and piston rod assembly is extendable and compressible with respect to the cylinder.

59. The wind rotor of claim 57, wherein each damping mechanism assembly comprises a damping mechanism and an articulating arm disposed between each damping mechanism and each vane.

COPYRIGHT

User acknowledges that Fairview Research and its third party providers retain all right, title and interest in and to this xml under applicable copyright laws. User acquires no ownership rights to this xml including but not limited to its format. User hereby accepts the terms and conditions of the License Agreement.