Patent ID: 8026619

Claim:
An electrical generator comprising: an elongated, thin, flexible membrane defining a central axis and having at least two fixed ends, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow substantially transverse to the central axis; an electrical conductor and a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the electrical conductor, wherein one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane, wherein the movement of the one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator attached to the membrane is substantially transverse to both the central axis and the fluid flow; wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field; whereby the relative movement causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor; and the change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the conductor.