First linear converters of energy were built in the early nineteenth century (they were demonstrated in works of Faraday and Lenz) and these generators were solenoids with constantly moving magnets inside. But these devices were in use only in scientific laboratories for formulation of  laws of electromagnetism. Further were used meaningfully only generators, which worked from rotation. But now mankind is remembering “long forgotten old things”. For example, recently were built “eternal” or “inductive Faraday’s flashlights” (see the ill. 1),* which work from shaking, and they are based on “linear generator” – solenoid with vacillating permanent magnet inside**, and rectifying system, smoothing element and accumulator. In the internet you can find description of building of such generator for supplying bike lights; such generators work on the same principle – from magnet’s moving inside a solenoid (shaking is caused by bike and not by men).

                         

 

Ill. 1. “Faraday’s flashlight”.

 1 – magnet,

 2 – solenoid,

 3 – springs,

4 – partition,

 5 – lamp.

Now exist and are designed generators, in which is used a “piezoelectric effect” – the capability of some crystals for a generation of electricity by deformation (see the ill.2).

 

 

Ill. 2. A generator with piezoelectric crystals. 1 – metallic plates, 2 – piezoelectric crystal.

For example, all know lighters with piezoelectric crystals. French scientists (specifically,  Jean-Jacques Chailout at Innovations Centre in Grenoble) have decided to put modules with piezoelectric crystals (PVDF) under raindrops and in such a way to generate electric energy. The Israeli firm “Innowatech” is working at the generation of electric energy from pressure of cars on traffic-bearing surfaces – piezoelectric crystals will be put under roads. In the Netherlands scientists are planning “to accumulate” energy under dancing’s floor.

All examples above, except the energy of raindrops, are related to human activities. It’s possible to propose to place linear generators into bumpers of autos and trains (there is better to use generators with solenoids, because they will be do the part of a work of bumpers***) and to put on all these vehicles enlarged copies of bicycles’ generators, which were represented above and which work from a shaking, and, additionally, to put linear generators (better with piezoelectric crystals for less shifts) under rails of railways.

Consider now, how to use fuller the energy of wind. There are known electrical wind generators: a wind rotates airscrews and airscrews rotate axles of dynamos. But airscrews are not always comfortable for an using. If they are used in housing estates, they demand additional place and must be confined in nets for security. They can spoil the appearance, obscure sun and impair a view. It’s hard to build rotating generators: they demand good bearings and a balancing of rotating parts (for preventing a breaking). And at parked electromobiles such generators will create temptation for thieves and vandals.

In this work I propose to use more comfortable working bodies, which are influenced by wind: shields, plates, sails, “natural wind collectors” (about this will be spoken below), inflatable figures. And in place of dynamos I propose to use specific fastenings: in linear generators energy will be generated from mechanical shifts and a pressure of working bodies. In such fastenings we can use piezoelectric crystals and solenoids with mobile magnetic cores. The electrical power, generated by this fastenings, will be gone through rectifiers and smoothing elements and will charge accumulators for further use of generated energy. It’s simple to produce all parts of such linear generators.

Shields with such fastenings (see the ill. 3a, b) placed at houses walls and balconies walls will be very advantageous and without any discomfort: sound proofing and thermal insulation, shadow. They practically don’t demand additional space. Advertisement hoardings, sun canopies, shelters from rain with such modules with piezoelectric crystals for raindrops will not only fulfill its function, but will generate electric power too (see the ill.4). On the same principle we can make “work” any fence.

 

Ill. 3. A - a solenoids linear generator with shields as a working body, B – linear generators with piezoelectric crystal in the fastening of the shield.

 

 

Ill. 4. A canopy, which generates electric power 1 – piezoelectric crystal, 2 – module with piezoelectric crystal for using the energy of raindrops, 3 – wall, 4- support, 5 – canopy, 6- cables.

We can use durable glasses in windows as “wind collectors” and place fastenings, which generate energy, at window casement (see the ill. 5a). In electromobiles we can switch fastenings: at car parks, when a vibration of glasses from wind is permissible, will be used fastenings, which generate electrical power, and in movement – usual fastenings in order not to disturb aerodynamic properties of electromobiles. Although by using the piezoelectric crystals we may obtain very small gap and switch will be not necessary. In a simpler variant (nontransparent shields) at car park we draw down the usual glasses and in place of them we put shields-generators, which lean on fastenings at windows casements. Same thing we can do at home. For example, at night, when windows must not transmit a light, we put such electrical generators in place of glasses or shutters (see the ill. 5b).

 

 

Ill. 5 a), b). Fastenings, which generate electric power at windows and shutters.

a)​ 1- glass, 2 – window casement, 3 glasses frame, 4 – thickenings, 5 – piezoelectric crystals, 6 – metallic plates, 7 – cables, F – strength of wind;

b)​ 1 – window casement, 2 – shutters, 3 – solenoids, 4 – magnets, 5 – swing joints, 6 – springs, 7 – cables, F – strength of wind.

 

The support, for example, a tripod for lamppost or a cellular antenna will generate electrical power, if in all its “legs”, divided in two parts, at the juncture, will be placed such fastenings, which generate electric power (see ill. 6). We can place a lamppost or a post of a cellular antenna into a buried in earth and fastened hollow cylinder with such electrical generators placed at its outer rim – this is an additional variant (see the ill.7). Lampposts with such “support“ can work independently, without power cables, because they swing from wind or from an oscillating of a road. Such lampposts must be very suitable in places without electric power stations or without a wiring.

 

 

Ill. 6. A support of the post, which generates electric power. 1 – post, 2 – support, 3 – cylindrical rim, 4 – earth, 5 piezoelectric crystal, 6 – metallic plates, 7 – cables, 8 – swing joints.

 

 

Ill.7. A post in cylindrical nest with linear generators at the edges. 1 – post, 2 – cylindrical nest, 3 – ground, 4 – swing joint, 5 – piezoelectric crystal, 6 – metallic plates, 7 – cables.

Additionally, linear generators make possible to use such natural “wind collectors”, as trees: trees’ branches very strongly swing from wind. But we must do it softly and cautiously in order not to damage trees.