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A generator device is arranged for use with a roof ventilator including a base arranged to be supported in a roof opening in a roof and a ventilating turbine rotatably supported on the base so as to be arranged for ventilating a space below the roof through the roof opening when rotated. The generat

A generator device is arranged for use with a roof ventilator including a base arranged to be supported in a roof opening in a roof and a ventilating turbine rotatably supported on the base so as to be arranged for ventilating a space below the roof through the roof opening when rotated. The generator device includes a generator having an input shaft and being arranged to produce electricity when the input shaft is rotated and a coupling mechanism arranged to couple the input shaft of the generator to the turbine. A roof top ventilating turbine can thus be readily converted for capturing wind energy at low cost using existing equipment.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A generator device for use with a ventilator for a roof, the ventilator comprising a base arranged to be supported in a roof opening in the roof and a ventilating turbine rotatably supported on the base for ventilating a space below the roof through the roof opening whe

The invention claimed is: 1. A generator device for use with a ventilator for a roof, the ventilator comprising a base arranged to be supported in a roof opening in the roof and a ventilating turbine rotatably supported on the base for ventilating a space below the roof through the roof opening when rotated, the device comprising: a plurality of generators, each having an input shaft and being arranged to produce electricity when the input shaft is rotated; and a coupling mechanism arranged to couple the input shafts of the generators to the turbine; the coupling mechanism comprising a plurality of wheels at circumferentially spaced positions about the base such that each wheel is associated with a respective one of the plurality of generators, each wheel being arranged to be rotatably supported on the base for rolling engagement with the turbine as the turbine rotates; wherein at least some of the generators are arranged to be coupled to the turbine so as to have a different turning ratio relative to the turbine in relation to other ones of the generators. 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least said one wheel is supported on an inner side of a peripheral wall of the base and communicates through an opening in the peripheral wall for engagement with the turbine. 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein each generator is supported on the base such that the generators are circumferentially spaced about the base. 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein some of the wheels are different in size from other ones of the wheels. 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein some of the generators are have a higher amperage capacity than other ones of the generators such that some generators would have less capacity to produce electricity than other ones of the generators. 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the wheels are arranged to be selectively disengaged from the turbine during operation thereof. 7. The device according to claim 6 wherein said some of the wheels are arranged to be disengaged from the turbine in response to reduced wind speed. 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided an annular member arranged to be supported on the turbine for rotation therewith upon which said at least one wheel is arranged to be engaged, the annular member having a surface with a high coefficient of friction. 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein each wheel is rotatably supported on an inner side of a peripheral wall of the base and each wheel communicates through a respective opening in the peripheral wall spaced below an upper edge of the peripheral wall such that the wheel is in rolling engagement with a collar portion of the turbine which overlaps the peripheral wall of the base about a full periphery of the base. 10. The device according to claim 9 wherein: the coupling mechanism comprises a generator control associated with each generator; and each generator control operates the respective generator between an engaged position in which the respective wheel engages the ventilating turbine such that rotation of the turbine relative to the base drives rotation of the respective generator and a disengaged position in which the respective generator is disengaged from being driven by rotation of the turbine relative to the base. 11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the generator controls independently operate the respective generators between the engaged and disengaged positions thereof responsive to wind force as measured by a wind force gauge. 12. The device according to claim 11 wherein the generator controls are arranged to engage the respective generators into the engaged position sequentially with increasing wind force as measured by the wind force gauge.