are oscillating weights feasibleto power electroics?

[vertho]

Oscillating weights

Hi.

Kinetic watches have oscillating weights inside them which in turn are connected to an electrical generator.
like this: http://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/encyclopaedia/glossary/oscillating-weight-rotor.html

If one was to scale this up, would it generate enough power to actually be useful for other appliances? say... a battery charger for instance? or is the output too small?

-vertho

 

[AndyECE]

Oscillating weights

The weight inside the watch is actually unbalanced, this is what causes it to turn as you move your arm.

If you are talking about using human body motion to power the generator, I am pretty sure that once you get it large enough to generate any amount of useful power, the imbalance of the weight swinging around would become at least distracting, and probably unfeasible.

What if we used another form of similar motion, such as ocean waves?

 

[rwiggins]

Oscillating weights

In short, the answer is yes. The basic principle was applied to wave action and is currently under study. It could also be applied to tall structures such as towers and skyscrapers (and even trees). The only limitations are practical ones. Harvesting the energy is another matter altogether, hence the word practical.

Here is something to ponder. Could we harness static electricity and convert it to an usable energy source in dry climate areas? What about sound if one lived in a noisy environment?