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Universal Generator |
Category: Sustainable Technology |
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Chris Natt
Chris Natt
Chesterfield, GB
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Page Views: 789
Votes: 31
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Entered: 10/17/2008
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Throughout
the
world
millions
of
people
live
without
electricity
and
the
benefits
enjoyed
by
those
who
can
take
the
supply
of
this
essential
commodity
for
granted.
Poor
and
remote
villages
within
the
developing
world
often
have
to
burn
valuable
natural
resources
to
create
light
or
power.
Providing
these
communities
with
a
sustainable
source
of
electricity
would
transform
their
lives.
The
‘Universal
Generator'
utilizes
kinetic
energy
for
just
this
purpose.
Its
versatile
design
enables
it
to
adapt
successfully
to
the
most
challenging
and
unpromising
environments.
The
generator
incorporates
carefully
positioned
anchors
and
grooves
allowing
it
to
be
strapped,
suspended
or
clamped
into
virtually
all
necessary
positions.
The
design
consists
of
an
inner
and
an
outer
drum.
Either
drum
can
be
anchored
while
the
other
remains
free
to
rotate
around
or
within
it,
thus
transforming
the
kinetic
energy
to
which
it
is
exposed
into
electricity.
3
large
thumb
screws
at
either
end
of
the
generator
offer
access
to
a
simple
chuck
mechanism
which
allows
the
removal
or
the
replacement
of
an
axle
positioned
at
the
centre
of
the
generator.
This
permits
the
length
and
width
of
the
axle
to
be
varied
from
one
application
to
another.
In
these
primitive
settings
devoid
of
modern
machinery,
it
is
simpler
for
the
operator
to
select
a
bar
of
the
correct
size
than
to
try
to
extend
the
axle
via
a
linkage
or
collet.
A
steel-plated
drum
and
large
rubber
cushions
placed
at
either
end
are
key
elements
of
the
design.
The
semantics
connected
with
the
shape
and
aesthetics
of
the
design
must
convey
a
sturdy
impression
so
that
the
operator
need
not
worry
about
the
durability
of
the
device.
Such
doubts
could
potentially
limit
its
applications.
Empowering
people
in
the
developing
world
is
a
key
objective
of
this
project.
Wires
can
be
attached
to
the
side
of
the
generator
by
thumb
screws
that
are
located
on
the
side
of
the
generator
and
under
the
rubber
end
caps
which
can
then
be
folded
away
once
the
wires
are
attached
so
they
are
not
exposed
to
damage
during
rotation.
The
introduction
of
a
generator
with
high
levels
of
efficiency
would
enable
communities
to
identify
ways
of
creating
electricity
from
local
resources.
Communities
in
the
deprived
areas
of
the
developing
world
commonly
develop
ingenious
means
of
survival
by
the
imaginative
use
of
what
is
available
to
them.
This
generator
could
allow
for
oil
drums
to
drive
turbine
blades,
water
wheels
to
be
made
from
bamboo
and
generate
gearing
using
parts
off
bicycle
wheels
and
inner
tubes.
It
could
even
allow
batteries
to
be
charged
while
a
donkey
pulls
a
cart
to
market,
by
fitting
the
generator
to
one
of
the
axles
of
the
cart.
Another
vital
application
could
be
as
a
source
of
light.
The
ability
to
power
artificial
lighting
inside
homes
would
allow
families
to
socialize,
individuals
to
work
and
children
to
study,
whilst
removing
the
considerable
risks
of
fires
burned
inside
homes
to
create
heat
and
light.
The
possibilities
and
potential
of
this
device
are
endless……..
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Meet the Entrant, Chris Natt
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Contact Email: Mail@chrisnatt.com |
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Association: Chris Natt |
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Profession: Student |
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My Website: http://www.chrisnatt.com... |
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Number of times entering contest previously: 0
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Design Tools:
Pencil and Paper
Physical models
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Software used:
Pro/Engineer
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Chris's favorite design tool:
A camera, It can be used at any stage to log progress or capture inspiration. A very versatile tool.
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Chris's hobbies and activities:
Running, Photography, Climbing
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What role does Chris believe product design plays in creating a better future?
Without product design we would not have the world around us. Commercially viable solutions to world problems are key to better the world we live in, they are at their strongest when perfected through a systematic design process.
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Hardware used for design:
Hewlett Packard, Dell, Lenovo/IBM, Apple
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