Fan generating electricity

In summary: The fan motor will just use more electricity (in a very inefficient manner), as you increase the load the motor 'slip' will increase drawing more current to generate the needed extra torque and causing additional resistive heat losses. It's a Rube Goldberg idea for energy storage.In summary, this fan-powered system is not very efficient and would require more electricity to power a bulb than just running the bulb from the fan itself.
  • #1
Manraj singh
66
0
Other people must have come up with this before, but what if we attach a lever to a rotating fan. The lever can be attached to a bulb to run it, or maybe something like a Leyden jar or a KERS, (mind me if its the wrong device, i am just a rookie) to store it. So won't the house be self sufficient?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
If you mean an electric fan instead of a wind generator.
Losses (you can't get something from nothing), it's more efficient to just run the bulb directly from the same supply as the fan.

boylespmm.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • #3
I would like to interest the OP in my idea for dehydrated water. It makes it much easier to ship and it doesn't dry up like the real thing.
 
  • #4
Fan generating electricity.

I meant that when people are using the fan normally. Like when you are feeling hot. That time all the energy produced can be used
 
  • #5
Manraj singh said:
I meant that when people are using the fan normally. Like when you are feeling hot. That time all the energy produced can be used

There are waste energy recover systems but a small cooling fan is not very efficient in converting electrical energy to energy in air flow (<<50%) so by the time you build the mechanical turbine system and generator(with their own losses) you won't have much left to keep you cool if you need more than milliwatts of power for a bulb.
 
  • #6
Manraj singh said:
I meant that when people are using the fan normally. Like when you are feeling hot. That time all the energy produced can be used
You aren't being very descriptive, but what you are saying sounds wrong: an electric fan consumes energy, it doesn't generate it.
 
  • #7
Yeah, while consuming that electricity, it rotates,generating a lot of kinetic energy. Now what if we attach a lever to one of the rotating blades. That lever attached to a device which can store that energy, which can be consumed later.
 
  • #8
Manraj singh said:
Yeah, while consuming that electricity, it rotates,generating a lot of kinetic energy. Now what if we attach a lever to one of the rotating blades. That lever attached to a device which can store that energy, which can be consumed later.

The fan motor will just use more electricity (in a very inefficient manner), as you increase the load the motor 'slip' will increase drawing more current to generate the needed extra torque and causing additional resistive heat losses. It's a Rube Goldberg idea for energy storage.
 
  • #9
Thank you.
 
  • #10
Ya..you will be loading (or perhaps over loading) the motor and the motor will suck more current/power...you may want to try another fan against this one as is done in a fluid coupling...
 

1) How does a fan generate electricity?

A fan generates electricity through the principle of electromagnetic induction. The blades of the fan are connected to a shaft, which is then connected to a generator. When the blades of the fan rotate, they spin the shaft, which then spins the generator's rotor. The rotor contains a series of magnets that rotate around a stationary coil of wire. This movement of the magnets creates a changing magnetic field, which induces an electric current in the wire. This current is then converted into usable electricity.

2) What types of fans can be used to generate electricity?

Any type of fan can potentially be used to generate electricity, as long as it has the ability to rotate and spin a generator. However, certain types of fans, such as wind turbines and hydroelectric turbines, are specifically designed for the purpose of generating electricity.

3) How much electricity can be generated from a fan?

The amount of electricity generated from a fan depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and speed of the fan, the efficiency of the generator, and the environmental conditions (e.g. wind speed for wind turbines). Generally, a single fan may not generate a significant amount of electricity, but a large array of fans or a specialized turbine can generate a significant amount of power.

4) What are the potential applications of using fans to generate electricity?

The potential applications of using fans to generate electricity are numerous. Some examples include using wind turbines to generate renewable energy, using fans in factories to power machinery, and using fans in homes to supplement traditional power sources. Fans can also be used in emergency situations, such as during power outages, to provide a backup source of electricity.

5) Are there any disadvantages to using fans to generate electricity?

One potential disadvantage of using fans to generate electricity is that they may not be as efficient as other methods of generating electricity. For example, wind turbines may only produce electricity when there is sufficient wind, and hydroelectric turbines may only produce electricity when there is flowing water. Additionally, the initial cost of installing and maintaining a fan-based electricity system may be higher compared to traditional power sources. However, the long-term benefits of using renewable energy sources may outweigh these potential disadvantages.

Similar threads

  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
2
Views
357
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
8
Views
14K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
9
Views
857
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
715
  • General Engineering
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
707
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Back
Top