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I have a working prototype of a wind-powered electric generator, which utilizes no rotating parts, but, rather, an oscillating band, which is driven directly by the wind.
I know that this general idea went around in 2007, but my prototype is new and substantially different from previous approaches.
Pic 001 - Rugged and self-contained unit. 2 meters tall. Rigid two-part molded 'airframe' with 'air-flow-windows'. Airflow collectors channel wind through the airframe.
Pic 002 - Here is a closer view of the middle section of the airframe, which encloses the oscillating wind band. The first important points are: (1) that the mechanical oscillation of the wind band has been constrained entirely to a torsional or a twisting wave motion, and (2) that only the primary wave is present. Neodynium magnets are affixed directly to the band, and may oscillate in a careful and fine proximity between pairs of inductive coils. Multiple pairs of inductive coils may be ganged in series, in parallel, or combinations thereof, since the mechanical wave motion allows good synchronization of the induced electrical outputs of each coil (though not perfect synchronization).
Pic 003 - The center portion of the airframe, which (at present) presents 14 inductive coils in 7 pairs. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, with 4 at the center point. All coil pairs are spaced at 10 centimeters from their neighbors. This is the backside, where the flowing air emerges from the airframe.
The coils themselves are quickly changeable and interchangeable: each simply snaps onto an internal mounting stud inside the airframe, and each simply snap connects to the airframe's internal wiring harness. So it's quick to change out one coil type for a new coil type, or to change the size or configuration of the coil array.
A detail showing the air band, one neodynium magnet, a pair of coils, the snap in mechanical mounting, the snap on electrical connection:
A detail of the coil pair easily removed for presentation. This pair, 37awg about 300 ohms:
Registered Member #3908
Joined: Tue May 24 2011, 09:40PM
Location: Gilbert, Arizona USA
Posts: 68
Very interesting approach! Your use of end polarization magnets, and the coil design are novel.
Have you determined the natural frequency based on the suspended magnet mass and tension?
As a step beyond; have you thought of aluminum bands suspended between cored electromagnet poles, using an excitation current? Basically a polyphase motor laid flat?
The frequency is pretty constant at 16Hz; about a 60 milisecond period by the oscilloscope, independent of wind speed, mostly. Increased wind speed increases the range of motion of the oscillations.
The magnets themselves add distributed mass along the center portion of the wind belt. Too little mass, or too much mass, and oscillation ceases.
It's simple to make the wind-belt unstable and to oscillate: Just move the center of mass behind the center of pressure (shift the magnet position from center line to 1 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm 'downwind' on the wind-belt).
Now the belt just wants to 'flip over' even in a mild breeze. Think of an arrow trying to fly backwards.
Also helpful: this particular belt material has thicker edge-walls. So it is a bit like a double-helix with a membrane in between: coiling left; coiling right; coiling left; coiling right . . .
Indoor test with a cheap mini fan (I wanted to shoot outside, but we are in a high-pressure heat wave and the air is completely calm).
AC output power indicator lights (also one out of the pic, for DC power through a schottky-diode bridge rectifier). My phone camera is poor enough that the motion of the wind band is blurred, which shows the extent of the oscillations, if you look at the centerline, and then the fuzziness on each side.
The belt in motion. The picture is blurry because of a cheap camera phone.
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Torsional Wind-Belt Electric Generator
