Patent ID: 7986051

Claim:
An electrical generator comprising: a supporting structure; a flexible membrane including a width and a thickness that is substantially less than the width and having at least two ends supported by the supporting structure and defining a central axis between the two ends, wherein the membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow substantially transverse to the central axis; at least one electrical conductor and at least one magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the at least one electrical conductor, wherein the at least one magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane, wherein the movement of the magnetic field generator is substantially transverse to both the central axis and the fluid flow; wherein the vibration of the membrane caused by the fluid flow creates a relative movement between the at least one conductor and the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic field generator; and whereby the relative movement creates a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the at least one electrical conductor; and the change in the strength of the magnetic field induces a current.