Abstract: A Savonius vertical axis wind turbine rotor is versatile, simple and easy to construct and assemble, and efficient. The rotor includes at least three spokes, at least two vanes, and fasteners. Each spoke (which may be laser cut from aluminum plate) includes a hub having a substantially central opening, typically two or three at least partially arcuate ribs substantially integral with the hub and extending substantially radially outwardly from the hub with inner and outer surfaces, and a plurality of channels defined in at least one surface (preferably the outer surface) of each rib. The vanes are of sheet material (e. g. aluminum or polycarbonate) generally conforming to an inner or outer surface of a rib ahd have openings operatively aligned with the channels. First fasteners pass through the openings into the channels and cooperate with second fasteners provided within the channels to securely hold the vanes to the ribs; the fasteners are preferably removable.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive, and the rotor and/or pushers thereof, have long life, e.g. at least about 6000 hours of actual operation. The piezoelectric drive also is highly accurate, and is relatively inexpensive to make. The rotor friction surface and/or pushers are made from a material having a low mechanical quality factor, yet with high strength and stability under the conditions encountered in the ultrasonic fields typical of piezoelectric drives. The material is preferably a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer (e.g. polyarylamide) with filler (e.g. glass particles or fiberglass), e.g. about 30-60% polymer and about 40-70% filler, and can easily make injection molded components or parts or components. A pair of drives may be connected together to form an instrument, for example rotating a shaft connected to a pointer of analog instrument either clockwise or counterclockwise. Analog instruments, such as thermometers, barometers, speedometers, altimeters, pH meters, anemometers, etc.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive, and the rotor and/or pushers thereof, have long life, e. g. at least about 6000 hours of actual operation. The piezoelectric drive also is highly accurate, and is relatively inexpensive to make. The rotor friction surface and/or pushers are made from a material having a low mechanical quality factor, yet with high strength and stability under the conditions encountered in the ultrasonic fields typical of piezoelectric drives. The material is preferably a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer (e. g. polyarylamide) with filler (e. g. glass particles or fiberglass), e. g. about 30-60% polymer and about 40-70% filler, and can easily make injection molded components or parts or components. A pair of drives may be connected together to form an instrument, for example rotating a shaft connected to a pointer of analog instrument either clockwise or counterclockwise. Analog instruments, such as thermometers, barometers, speedometers, altimeters, pH meters, anemometers, etc.

Abstract: A measuring instrument assembly, such as a clock, thermometer, or barometer, comprises a casing including a base and an upstanding perimeter (e.g. annular) portion (e.g. integral with the base). An instrument face is mounted by the base and has an upper surface facing away from the base, typically including instrument indicia (such as clock numbers) and preferably also including word indicia. A substantially transparent cover substantially parallel to the instrument face and supported by the casing is spaced from the instrument face to define, with the casing upstanding perimeter portion, an interior volume. At least one discrete object, and preferably a plurality of loosely provided objects, such as golf tees, are disposed within the interior volume. A passageway is defined through the interior volume for an instrument shaft extending from the base substantially perpendicular to the face through the cover and spaced from the upstanding perimeter portion of the casing. A measuring instrument movement (e.g.