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Background

The windbelt, first designed by Shawn Frayne, is a device that converts wind into usable electricity by the principle of aeroelastic flutter. Unlike conventional wind turbines, windbelts are effective at producing electricity at low wind speeds. Regions that typically have lower average wind speeds are perfect for windbelt installations. However, windbelt design is relatively new and experimental. New materials and new designs must necessarily be tested to advance this potential source of clean energy.

Oppurtunity Definition

Though conventional windmills produce relatively little power at low wind speeds, windbelts can take advantage of the areas low average wind speeds. So far, three separate groups of Humboldt State University students have built windbelts, each time improving the windbelts design. This project, completed by Greg Pfotenhauer and Agustin Gonzalez serves to further improve upon the design of the windbelt and test new materials.

Literature Review

The following is a review of the literature of the available information relating to windbelts.

Windbelt Basics

Paragraph on the basics. The windbelt, invented by Shawn Frayne in 2004, is a device that uses wind to flutter a strip of material between magnets and coils, which generates electricity. [1] Since there are now gears to turn in a windbelt, they can generate electricity more efficiently than a windmill. windbelts are easier and cheaper to construct than windmills and don't need as much wind to make them effective. [2]

Frame Windbelt frames are made mostly out of wood and metal. The windbelt should be as lightweight and strong as possible. Consideration should also be taken as to how the windbelt will stand or be mounted.

Ribbon The ribbon used in Shawn Frayne's design is a mylar coated taffeta. [3] The taffeta looks like camera film, only a bit wider. Camera film is also an alternative which works well and is inexpensive.

Magnets Neodymium magnets seemed to be the most widely used and will be used in this windbelt. [4]


Coils The coils for windbelts can come from a variety of places. For instance, the coils from old hard drives can be used. [5] Coils can also be wound by hand, lessening the cost. [6]

References

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