Flagmill -A new power generator utilizing flexible sheet-

Abstract

The present study proposes “a flagmill”, which is a new power generator utilizing the flutter of a flexible sheet such as a flag. The sheet flutter causes the angular oscillation of the supporting pole. Since the supporting pole is connected to the power generator axis, the angular oscillation produces the electromotive power. The flutter and the power generation characteristics were investigated experimentally and analytically. The flutter occurs by decreasing the relative stiffness or increasing the mass ratio. The electromotive force cause the increase of the critical flutter speed. The higher flutter frequency and the larger amplitude of the angular oscillation of the sheet leading edge can generate the larger electromotive power.

Keywords

• flexible sheet flutter
• power generation
• flutter frequency
• amplitude of the angular oscillation