Vertical axis wind turbine rotating design elements

Abstract

A functional rotor, desirably but not necessarily a Savonius, helical, or other vertical axis wind turbine rotor, has other functions in addition to driving a useful driven mechanism (such as an electricity or hydrogen generator, pump, etc.). The rotor has exterior rotating surface areas and at least one of design, aesthetic, holographic, reflective, and informational elements on those areas that create the illusion of movement distinct from the rotation of the rotor itself. The elements may be substantially vertical holographic material or reflective material stripes alternating with non-holographic or non-reflective stripes, or at least one of design and aesthetic elements disposed to create a spiral movement illusion. The elements may be selected and positioned so that a message or design is completed in the viewer's eye only upon rotation of the surface areas. The rotor may simulate a praxinoscope, phenakistascope, or zoetrope. A Savonius VAWT may be provided having a rotor with vanes having relatively large, uninterrupted exterior surface areas, a covering for at least one of the exterior surface areas, and removable attachment elements which operatively removably connect the covering to at least one exterior surface area. The removable attachment elements may comprise cooperating hook and loop fasteners on the covering and the vane exterior surface area, or cooperating permanent magnets or magnetic material. A number of different messages may be provided on the surface areas, each primarily visible at a different speed of rotation of the vanes than the others.