Neat thinking: “Windbelt, Cheap Generator Alternative, Set to Power Third World” [Popular Mechanics] tells the story of Humdinger, the world’s first turbine-less wind generator.
Working in Haiti, Shawn Frayne, a 28-year-old inventor based in Mountain View, Calif., saw the need for small-scale wind power to juice LED lamps and radios in the homes of the poor. Conventional wind turbines don’t scale down well—there’s too much friction in the gearbox and other components. “With rotary power, there’s nothing out there that generates under 50 watts,” Frayne says. So he took a new tack, studying the way vibrations caused by the wind led to the collapse in 1940 of Washington’s Tacoma Narrows Bridge (aka Galloping Gertie).
Frayne’s device, which he calls a Windbelt, is a taut membrane fitted with a pair of magnets that oscillate between metal coils. Prototypes have generated 40 milliwatts in 10-mph slivers of wind, making his device 10 to 30 times as efficient as the best microturbines. Frayne envisions the Windbelt costing a few dollars and replacing kerosene lamps in Haitian homes.
Neat thinking to take aeroelastic flutter, what caused the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to do this (starts around 1:20 into video)...
...and turn it into power for the third world (and potentially more):
Below, Frayne discusses his model for invention. Money quote: “A lot of times when you really box yourself into a tight corner, that’s when you do your best thinking.”
[Thanks RH]
14Dayz timesheets
on 15 Sep 08I love how the “constraint” becomes the liberator.
Ryan Heneise
on 15 Sep 08I was very excited when I found this because I am always looking out for innovative small-scale water and power products. Growing up as a missionary kid in Haiti made me sensitive to the unique situations and constraints faced by entrepreneurs in places like Haiti. They just can’t go down to their local home depot or radio shack for supplies. I’ve seen some really creative electricity generators come out of Africa – anyone remember that kid from Kenya who built a windmill generator out of old bicycle parts? I think he was featured at TED. Really inspiring story. I think this guy is right – I look forward to seeing innovative new technologies coming out of developing areas.
- RH
Greg
on 15 Sep 08Great for developing countries. Why not use it to supplement home power here in the States?
Unept
on 15 Sep 08I think it’s easy to envision some microwave-size object on the roof of peoples’ homes across the states/world. Maybe this will someday become as ubiquitous as the chimney. Cool thought. I wonder how noisy they are, and how long the tension belt lasts.
James
on 16 Sep 08This is awesome!
I agree, why are these things not made available in the Western world?! The Potenco Pull Cord Generator is another one that is only for the 3rd world.
“Hey guys, let me buy one on line, in fact, I will pay twice as much knowing that by paying twice as much I am paying for one to go to the 3rd world!”
Why do these guys think they have to do it on their own. I would love to use one of these, and knowing that I just donated one to a needy family is even better.
Louis
on 16 Sep 08I like Frayne’s thinking, but I gotta say, his comment about the possibilities being exhausted on the existing fundamental technologies is quite reminiscent of the oft-quoted spurious statement from Charles Duerr claiming that “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
Dennis Eusebio
on 17 Sep 08Brilliant invention.
I hope it finds some legs and gets implemented soon.
This discussion is closed.