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[ter-o-fin]
Pteró (n) - wing, winged, or feather. + fin (n) - a surface used to produce lift in air or water. |
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Pterofin is a renewable energy company developing innovative products based on the biomimicry of a bird's wing or fish's fin. Our unique oscillating wings are mechanically driven to convert energy, even below 5 mph wind or 1 mph water current, to pump water or generate electricity.
Latest Updates for Testing at ARL - 3/17/2023 7:13AM
· 2D drawings are complete and parts have been sent out for quotes from 5 shops. We will review the quotes when they come in and make purchasing decisions.
· Currently procuring instrumentation for collecting data on performance of fins.
· Long-lead machined parts will arrive at the end of April or beginning of May.
· May will be spent assembling the mechanism, motor, wiring and instrumentation.
· Testing will begin in June.
· 2D drawings are complete and parts have been sent out for quotes from 5 shops. We will review the quotes when they come in and make purchasing decisions.
· Currently procuring instrumentation for collecting data on performance of fins.
· Long-lead machined parts will arrive at the end of April or beginning of May.
· May will be spent assembling the mechanism, motor, wiring and instrumentation.
· Testing will begin in June.
Skimmer - surface water
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Manta - underwater
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Dragonfly - double wing
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Terrafin - single wing
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Our primary focus is on a customer who at the village level faces high costs and inefficiencies in pumping water from deep wells using existing electric pumps or outdated wind turbines. Pterofin technology can be extremely useful in remote locations, especially rural and agricultural communities in emerging markets as demonstrated by multiple inquiries and order requests from a variety of nonprofit organizations in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Kenya. Pterofin Inc. as well as the inventor, Wallace Kempkey, have been featured in tech press and local media outlets such as GeekWire and KOMOnews.com.
"Birds and fish are extremely efficient at using energy to create motion in a surrounding fluid, so why not try to create energy by using that same motion within a moving fluid?"
Pterofin products are controlled by a simple counterbalance system that synchronizes the wings’ position and speed with a mechanical leverage point on the body of the device. The outcome is a coordination of harmonizing the wings pitch angle to a natural frequency of a fluid's specific velocity. This oscillating motion is low in RPM and high in torque, which allows it to be extremely efficient at pumping water.
When a Pterofin encounters high winds, gust, or debris, a rotational control system allows the wing or wings to sweep back into the direction of the current, bringing Pterofin power to a halt and making it act at similar to a weathervane. This makes it much more aerodynamic and gives it a far more streamline profile than any turbine on the market while under harsh conditions. We'd like to think it knows how to hibernate or "go dormant" to avoid over-stress on moving parts that can lead to failure, all while creating virtually no noise pollution.
Our near-term goal is to get Pterofin prototypes into the hands of sustainable energy enthusiasts as an avenue to collect data before mass manufacturing the Skimmer and Dragonfly. Our long term goal is to share this technology with underprivileged communities in need of power and water as well as rural and agricultural communities dealing with finances or environmental constraints.
Wind turbines typically require a 70-ft guyed tower as well as a substantial financial investment. Pterofin’s key moving components are mounted at the base of its unique, oscillating wings so they are easier to install and maintain and the materials can be sourced easily. In heavy winds the Dragonfly is silent compared to the 55db of a typical small wind turbine and doesn't pose a threat to birds, bats, or our hearing.
Unlike a turbine, Pterofin technology is: efficient in low currents, inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in heavy currents, has a low cost of maintenance, quiet operation, is environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and can be made out of a wide variety of materials allowing it to be mass produced and easily adopted around the world.
Through licensing IP agreements with manufacturers who are interested in helping preserve our environment, improve their product line, and expand into new segments that were previously unattainable, Pterofin technology is going to be the next generation of renewable energy for first and third world countries.
Wind turbines typically require a 70-ft guyed tower as well as a substantial financial investment. Pterofin’s key moving components are mounted at the base of its unique, oscillating wings so they are easier to install and maintain and the materials can be sourced easily. In heavy winds the Dragonfly is silent compared to the 55db of a typical small wind turbine and doesn't pose a threat to birds, bats, or our hearing.
Unlike a turbine, Pterofin technology is: efficient in low currents, inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in heavy currents, has a low cost of maintenance, quiet operation, is environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and can be made out of a wide variety of materials allowing it to be mass produced and easily adopted around the world.
Through licensing IP agreements with manufacturers who are interested in helping preserve our environment, improve their product line, and expand into new segments that were previously unattainable, Pterofin technology is going to be the next generation of renewable energy for first and third world countries.
