From: reich@nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Subject: Re: Micro-kites Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 14:42:42 GMT >From: KBARRY@charlott.epri.com (CHARLOTT.KBARRY) >My 8 year old son, still kite crazy after receiving a Cheetah >for Christmas, has a school electrical project that he wants to >be kite related. The plan is to have the cooling fan (~4x4 >inches) from a PC power supply flying a very small kite in the >wind generated. >The fan, switch and battery work just fine but we are having >problems getting a kite stable in the air that is generated. So >far the attempts have been to use toothpicks and tissue paper >but I suspect that the kite is too heavy for the surface area. >Does anyone out there have experience with this? (This would be >a great idea for a kite company display at kite stores.) ****************************************************************** Theoretical solution: Columnate the breeze coming from the fan to remove the turbulences. Alternative Display: Use a slow speed motor or gear reduce the speed down to 30 to 40 RPM. Have the motor shaft point up from the table. Attach a bent coat hanger which will tow a small kite in about a horizontal 2 foot diameter circle above the table. Just trying to stimulate thought, Ron Reich *****************************************************************