analytics

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Flag Generator

I had this idea as a way to generate some AC electricity. Basically as a flag ripples in the wind it is connected to a framework of springs that will tend to oscillate at their resonant frequency. This oscillation is converted to electricity by moving a magnet through a coil. The picture might help:
If you've ever held a flag in the wind you'll know that even a moderate breeze can get it jerking your arms pretty hard. Ideally you'd want to construct the flag so it ripples at the same frequency to a given wind speed that the spring's vibrate when you press and release one. In the picture above the magnet is connected to the bar that the flag is on I wasn't sure how to make that clearer. 

Update:
This is the first prototype. I'm ordering the wire for the electrical part and it's a little tough to see in the video because it was nighttime, but basically I've got a plastic streamer inducing a vibration in the springs that I'll try and capture the electricity from. The second part of the video I'm just showing how the springs thread onto the screws. 

2 comments:

  1. Ben,

    Great idea.

    I would also suggest to lay this on a disk that can spin the device in the direction of the wind (as the wind changes) with the help of a "wind rudder".

    Corey

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice video. Really demonstrates the concept.

    ReplyDelete