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Imagineered Products
and Services
Examples of Imagineered Products &
Services
Updated on:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 04:10 AM |
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Imagineered Products
& Services:
Examples of
Imagineered Products & Services
Introduction to Wind
Energy -
Internet Business
Ideas |
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This
section describes some products and service ideas that have either come from my
imagination as long as 40 years ago or are based on scientific research that hint at some
new products. Some of the ideas listed have since become commercially available. In
addition to the ideas listed below, I also have some more detailed discussions. |
ULTRA
SENSITIVE SOLID STATE RELAY (24)
Solid state relays are often used to control power to electrical devices. They are
generally selected over mechanical relays due to their reliability and ease of use when
being controlled by some electronic circuit. However, for many battery powered circuits,
commercial solid state relays demand too much control current. But, by using a combination
of a high current triac and a very sensitive low current SCR, a solid state circuit can
control hundreds of watts of electrical power from as little as 100 microwatts (2v 50ua)
of control current. For an example of such a circuit, see the low power solid state relay
circuit within the Hobby Circuits section. |
HUMAN MOTION
ALARM SYSTEM - ELECTRIC FIELD CHANGES (25)
There are many ways to detect human motion. Ultrasound, passive infrared and microwave
methods are just a few examples. Some 25 years ago I developed yet another method that is
virtually unknown. The technique relies on detecting the small changes that moving humans
generate in the earth's natural electric field. The scheme is ideal for battery powered
alarm systems since micro power techniques can be used to hold the current drain to a very
low level. More about this concept can be found in the Hobby Circuits section under the
title of Electric Field Disturbance Monitor. |
GIANT WIND SAILS FORM WIND
ENERGY SYSTEM (26)
There is a lot of power in the wind. Humans have been taping into this energy source for
thousands of years. Wind energy is now the fastest growing renewable energy technology.
However, most of the existing wind turbines cannot be easily scaled to produce the kind of
energy a large city needs. To produce hundreds of megawatts of electricity, it would take
a large number of stationary wind turbines. I propose a completely different approach. I
imagine a number of gigantic wind sails that are flown high in the air and pull on super
strong ropes that are connected to a electrical generator. A more thorough discussion on
this proposed energy system can be found in Introduction To Wind
Energy. |
WATER HOLDING MATERIAL REDUCES
IRRIGATION (27)
Water is becoming more and more precious. As cities grow, a sizable amount of water will
be needed for lawn irrigation. To reduce the amount of water needed by a lawn, I propose a
service company that would apply a non-organic material to the lawn. The material would
retain moisture like tiny sponges so less water would be lost due to evaporation and
diffusion. Some materials have been already been developed that claim to hold thousands of
times their weight in water. I imagine using air pressure to shoot small beads of this
material into a lawn. During irrigation, the beads would absorb water, expand and would
slowly feed water directly to the grass roots. It is estimated that once applied to a
lawn, the material could reduce the amount of irrigation water needed by a factor of one
half to one third of the amount needed for lawns not using the material. |
AUTOMATIC CLERK DISTRESS ALARM
(28)
Convenient store clerks are often robbed without having a chance to press a panic button
or a holdup alarm, until after the event. I imagine a system that could sound an alarm
automatically. A battery powered device would be attached to the clerk. The device would
contain a heart rate monitor and a radio transmitter. When a sudden jump in the clerk's
heart rate was detected, a indication of stress, the device would transmit a message to a
special receiver that would automatically call the police. |
ELECTRONIC SCARECROW (29)
Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, but they can also carry disease and damage
building support structures. Small home gardens are also prone to damage from foraging
birds, cats and raccoons. I propose a system that would shoo the animals away and keep
them from coming back and congregating. I imagine a battery powered device that would be
kept charged with a small solar cell array. The device would contain a broad pattern
passive infrared motion sensor, a white noise generator, an audio amplifier and a speaker.
When the system detected movements from a bird or some other animal, it would emit a very
loud and sudden shhhhhh sound, that would scare away the animals. |
INFRARED SECURITY CAMERA
ILLUMINATOR (30)
It seems like tiny television security cameras are being installed everywhere. In some
applications, it is desired that the camera be installed in dark areas that do not have
standard area lighting. Taking advantage of the fact that almost all black and white
cameras are most sensitive to invisible infrared light, I propose an invisible wide area
illumination system. I imagine a long life cold cathode fluorescent lamp that is equipped
with a special infrared light emitting phosphor. The lamp would efficiently illuminate a
broad area in front of the camera. Light blocking filters in front of the lamps would
allow only the invisible infrared light to pass. Click here to view an emission spectrum curve. |
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