h a l f b a k e r yThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
|
|
|
Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register.
Please log in or create an account.
|
Oil prices are rocketing, and in desperate times we need to source our energy from renewable, "green" ideas. Solar powered calculators are available, but where's the dignity in that? I present to you: the hydroelectric calculator.
To fuel it, pour water in the bottle at the top. This water now has
a head of several centimetres. In the central mechanism, a miniature Francis turbine (the most efficient turbine in the world!) takes advantage of the water flow, and generates a tiny current - giving the calculator enough life to perform even the most intense calculations. For about 30 seconds. Then you need to pour more water in.
[link]
|
| |
Most^H^H^H^H All people already carry around a renewable store of fluid, ready to power such a calculator. |
|
| |
I think there is already a urine turbine idea on the 'bakery. This is to similar to that. |
|
| |
I don't think a urine turbine is the same as this. This is more of an entertaining piece of office equipment. |
|
| |
Also, it could instead have everything sealed. There would be a working fluid in an egg-timer-like bottle, and to get more power you would turn it upside down. |
|
| |
Reminds me of the water-powered robot on the one episode of Futurama. |
|
| |
mitxela, you could combine your idea with the hourglass. Just turn it upside down again when the water, sand, flour etc. has run its course. But you've got to find a better use for the energy generated than your tongue-in-cheek calculator |
|
| |
Bear Grylls has prior art on the urine turban idea. |
|
| |
If you're going to have a miniature turbine
anyway, why not make the entire calculator
a microtech babbage engine (analytical,
not diferencing). No need to go electric. |
|
| |
That would be awesome, but as it would no longer be hydroelectric, and the fact it would probably need a lot more energy to overcome mechanical friction, it may as well be driven by a handle. Or, although not as friendly to the planet, you could have a tiny desktop steam or Stirling engine powered by a candle. Or even one of the low-heat-difference ones that are powered by body heat - when you want to do quick arithmetic, you need to stick it to the warmest part of your body... |
|
| |
This would be great in offices. "All right, who poured coffee into my calculator tank?" "Sorry boss, I had an urgent calculation request and the water cooler's empty." |
|
| |
in//to the warmest part// |
|
| |
of the hottest person in the office. That should do it. |
|
| |
The calculations, I mean. |
|
| |