23-03-2012, 03:47 PM
GENERATOR UTILIZING FLUID-INDUCED OSCILLATIONS
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Abstract --
An electrical generator including a magnetic field generator and at least one energy converter for converting energy present in fluid flows into vibrations or oscillations. The converter includes a flexible membrane having at least two fixed ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow. One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0002]The kinetic energy present in flowing fluids, such as wind or water, has been successfully applied towards productive human ends, such as grinding grain or pumping water. Wind-powered generators were developed to harness these fluid flows for the production of electricity. Today, wind-powered generators take on the largely ubiquitous form of a turbine, or rotating airfoil. While these turbine-based wind generators are generally useful in certain open spaces with consistently high-speed winds, drawbacks still exist, such as heavy initial capital costs, low efficiency at all but a narrow range of wind speeds, the lack of cost effectiveness at lower power outputs levels (<1 kW), etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019]In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.