Efficiency targeted features:
- magnetic bearings, maglev using permanent magnets to suspend the z axis and keep the x-y position of the shaft stable.
- omni directional wind harvesting, either with a helical vane or impeller design / fixed wind guides.
- automatically attenuated / tuned field position to reduce cut-in speed, something like a mechanically actuated centrifugal governor, acting as a lever to change the stator positions and add a flywheel element.
Cost down targeted features:
- aside from magnets, favor durable, inexpensive materials and construction methods and materials, such as marine plywood, polypropylene, pvc (with suitable UV protection)
- bespoke analog circuits with minimal BOM unless more complex and costly solutions provide better efficiency.
Contributors welcome. I'm hoping the design for this will emerge collaboratively.
When I get some time to sit down with sketchup, I'll knock together some concept renderings. I also have found some electric generator design guidelines I want to clean up and distill to put here to keep in mind while the form factor and details evolve.