Hybrid ventilator

Abstract

A ventilator ( 10 ) comprises a ventilator stator ( 12 ) for mounting to a structure and a ventilator rotor ( 14 ) for mounting and rotation with respect to the stator. One or more wind-drivable elements ( 44 ) are mounted to the ventilator rotor. A motor ( 20 ) is provided for operation between the ventilator rotor and ventilator stator for selective motor-driven rotation of the ventilator rotor.

1 . A ventilator comprising:
 a ventilator stator for mounting to a structure;   a ventilator rotor for mounting and rotation with respect to the ventilator stator, the rotor comprising one or more wind-drivable elements; and   a motor for operation between the ventilator rotor and ventilator stator for selective motor-driven rotation of the ventilator rotor.   
     
     
         2 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the motor connects the ventilator rotor to the ventilator stator. 
     
     
         3 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rotor is oriented such that one or more of the wind-drivable elements is/are substantially exposed to the wind in use. 
     
     
         4 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the or each wind-drivable element is a vane or blade. 
     
     
         5 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ventilator stator comprises a frame for mounting to the structure, and the motor stator is directly mounted to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 5  wherein a rotor of the motor comprises a motor body and a stator of the motor comprises a motor base, the motor body being rotatable with respect to the motor base, and the motor base being fixed with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ventilator stator comprises a frame for mounting to the structure and a shaft mounted to and projecting from the frame, the shaft supporting the motor at a remote end thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a rotor of the motor comprises a motor body and a stator of the motor comprises a motor base, the motor body being rotatable with respect to the motor base, and the motor base being fixed with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         9 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the motor base is mounted to a flange located at the shaft remote end, with a projection from the motor body being supported for rotation within a recess at the shaft remote end. 
     
     
         10 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the projection is a shaft of the motor body that is supported in a bush which is in turn supported for rotation within a ball bearing assembly located within the flange recess. 
     
     
         11 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the motor body is connected to a surrounding motor housing, with the housing in turn being connected to the ventilator rotor. 
     
     
         12 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the housing is a sleeve or a cap. 
     
     
         13 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the ventilator rotor comprises an in-use top plate, an in-use bottom plate, and a plurality of wind-drivable elements extending between and connected at respective opposing element ends to the top and bottom plates. 
     
     
         14 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the housing is connected to the top plate to connect the motor body thereto. 
     
     
         15 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a dome-shaped cover for the ventilator rotor, wherein the dome-shaped cover is mounted to the rotor top plate. 
     
     
         16 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A ventilator comprising:
 a ventilator stator that is able to be mounted to a structure,   a ventilator rotor that is mounted to rotate with respect to the ventilator stator when the ventilator rotor is caused to rotate by the wind,   an external rotor motor that comprises:
 an external rotor that is mounted with respect to the ventilator rotor, and 
 a stator that is mounted with respect to the ventilator stator, 
   such that, when the motor is activated, the external rotor is caused to rotate, which causes the ventilator rotor to rotate with respect to the ventilator stator.   
     
     
         21 . A ventilator comprising:
 a ventilator stator that is able to be mounted to a structure,   a ventilator rotor that is mounted to rotate with respect to the ventilator stator when the ventilator rotor is caused to rotate by the wind,   a motor configured to act as a rotating mounting between the ventilator stator and the ventilator rotor, the motor comprising:   
       a rotor that is mounted with respect to the ventilator rotor, and
 a stator that is mounted with respect to the ventilator stator. 
 
     
     
         22 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the motor is configured to act as a bearing for the ventilator rotor. 
     
     
         23 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the motor has a low rotational resistance. 
     
     
         24 . A ventilator as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the structure to which the ventilator stator is mounted is the roof of an enclosed space of a building, or a portable structure including a shed, house or automobile.