Defuniak Man's invention may save our economy and our beaches!

**scooterbug44** · 07-14-2011, 10:50 AM

He has designed a machine that uses static electricity to create power - 2,000 volts per unit (enough for 7 houses).

The invention is actually 21 years old - he was told back then that the oil/electrical companies would shut him/the invention down, but after almost dying of pneumonia a couple of years ago he decided to give it a shot.

http://defuniakherald.com/?p=826

“I am the only man that has ever designed a unit that can claim it defied the Newton laws,” said Walter Owens of his generator-like invention.
Owens, a retired flight engineer in the Air Force, first formulated ideas for the invention 21 years ago, but was told by a patent attorney it would never reach the market because oil and electric companies would shut it down.
Oil and electric companies could indeed stand to face great losses if Owen’s unit was mass-produced because it is a self-renewable energy resource with no pollution or emissions.
It is composed of coils, magnets, over 1,000 feet of wiring, a small motor and four batteries. Magnets on the underside draw static electricity from the air, then conduct the energy over the coils as a direct current and deposit it into the batteries, therefore recharging the batteries and making it a self-renewing energy supply. According to Owens, it can be built on any scale and used to power homes, automobiles, airplanes, factories and plants.

Not only is the unit environmentally-friendly and self-contained, Owens projects it would be an economic booster, providing as many as 10 million jobs in 18-20 months.

“You open up 25 assembly plants and every machine shop in the whole United States would be employed,” he said. With only fine-tunings left to complete, Owens says, “I’m hoping that somebody will get the money to finance it and we can put it on the market.”

**sunspotbaby** · 07-14-2011, 11:03 AM

Love this! Wonder how far he's come with financing since the article was written and what he's hearing from the big energy/big oil companies.

**scooterbug44** · 07-14-2011, 11:17 AM

There was a longer article on the back page of last week's Herald. I think it said that he already had Purdue University independently testing the unit.

He is a real character. At one point he said he's 88, so if the oil companies kill him off that's okay.

**Murray Balkcom** · 07-14-2011, 11:53 AM

That story came out about 2-3 years ago. If it is true, why have we not heard more about it since then?

edit: I just clicked the link and see that is the exact same article published back in 2009. I thought maybe it was going to be a new story on it.

**kurt** · 07-14-2011, 11:54 AM

I'd love an update.

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-14-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Murray Balkcom

That story came out about 2-3 years ago. If it is true, why have we not heard more about it since then?

edit: I just clicked the link and see that is the exact same article published back in 2009. I thought maybe it was going to be a new story on it.

The link goes to the 2009 article. We have done two updates since then. The engineers from Purdue were not involved with the project to certify the generator and design. I have the video, but I haven't gotten to upload it to a herald youtube account. He's already been offered millions to sell the rights to it, so someone can bury it. He has been working the kinks out of the design as well. As with every invention, is does not happen overnight. This is a great gentlemen from my home town. He is honorable and honest. As far as why we have been the only ones showing interest and letting people know about this, I don't know why other media outlets have not kept track of it. We have done three or four articles on the engine, but they have been updates on its progress. The engineers that have traveled to Florala to work on it believe it will be certified by the end of summer.

**DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze** · 07-14-2011, 12:08 PM

Florala man’s static electricity-powered generator could spark energy revolution

By REID TUCKER
The look of Walter Owens’ Electron-Controlled Floating Ground Generator probably does not mesh with the mental image one has when considering an invention that could change the world.
Appearances, however, are deceiving.
Though the 88-year-old Florala, Ala., man did build the generator in his backyard work shed, this is no mere contraption assembled to satisfy idle curiosity or some flight of fancy out of a sci-fi paperback. At its most basic level, the generator is designed to attract free electrons, the negatively charged subatomic particles, from the ambient air to a positively charged conductive surface and then to convert the resulting static electricity into a theoretically inexhaustible source of DC power. This can then be converted into alternating current to supply power for virtually any application.
In effect, what Owens has created is no less than the first gasps of the energy revolution.
“There’s never been anything like this before,” Owens said. “This generator has the capability to replace all other forms of energy needed by humans. People say it’s impossible, but I believe I’ve figured it out.”
A cursory glance of the squat generator, roughly the size of large washing machine and laced with coursing wires, belies the complexity yet elegant simplicity of its design. Five standard 12-volt automotive batteries, a 10-horsepower electric motor, a metal rolling frame, some magnetic coils, a switch board and an iron panel are the key components of a machine that represents six years of work and nearly $100,000 in trial and error.
The frame of the generator itself, which houses the batteries used to start the electrical circuit, is ringed by 10 magnetic coils (made from volcanic ash) that act as backups to keep electricity flowing through the system after the free electrons are “sucked in” by a positively charged iron plate that sits atop the device. Owens said the base-level system is set to run at 36 volts, but that number is multiplied by the number of coils used. However, the key figure to be concerned with is the 800 amps of current the unit makes, enough to supply energy for seven or eight homes completely pollution-free, Owens said.
Put another way, Owens said the 4-foot by 5-foot by 3-foot generator makes power equivalent to 3,000-4,000 square feet of solar panels and, unlike solar panels, the static electricity-fed machine works day or night in all conditions at a comparatively low cost. What’s more, he said there is practically no limitation to the maximum size of the unit, as the conductive plate (or plates) can be made to fit almost any need.
“You can set this system up to run a motorcycle, a car, an airplane, a freight train, a battleship, a city or whatever,” Owens said. “This generator can be integrated into any system. The load is immaterial because it can be designed to fit [any application].”
Owens, who holds 26 patents, joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as an aircraft mechanic and later as an engineer in the Air Force until 1963. He said he originally came up with the idea for his static electricity generator 23 years ago, but was convinced by his patent attorney not to pursue the project for fear that he would be shut down by electric companies or the petroleum industry. However, after a serious medical scare a few years back he felt compelled to complete his machine and see it to fruition.
The final prototype version of the generator was completed after six prior generations about three months ago and now Owens says it is ready for certification and then, ultimately, the market. The unit’s certification is being handled by engineers from Purdue University and should be completed by the end of the summer.
In addition to the obvious environmental benefits of using a completely clean energy source, Owens also said it can put people to work, as whole new industries will likely spring up around it. Though he expects mass production and full implementation of the system to take up to 15 years from the generator’s introduction on the market, Owens is confident that his machine can not only break America’s and the rest of the world’s addiction to fossil fuels, it will also be an economic boon.
“It’ll be the biggest thing to ever hit this country,” Owens said. “We need jobs in the country right now and with my generator we can turn this whole economic mess around. I know the whole world has been waiting for something like this to come along. We all need it.”
While Owens does not fear for his life as he jokingly said he did when he first conceived the idea for the generator, he has little reservation about the impact an invention like his will have on world markets. Owens said the machine is meant to improve the lives of everyone on Earth. Even if he never makes any money out of it (he figures no amount of money offered for the system could match its worth in the long run), he said all the hard work will have been worth it in the end.
“There have been people killed over systems less powerful than this,” Owens said, chuckling. “I’m 88 years old now so if I’m killed it won’t be any big deal.
“For me it’s not about the money. I want the common person to be able to live and not have to do without a basic necessity like enough energy. It’s sad that people have done without when we have an energy source that’s so abundant there’s no way to use it up…Whether I get a dime out of it or not, it will be a blessing to every human being on the planet.”

This article cannot be reproduced without the consent of the DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze. Watch for the coming video of the Owens' generator being released later today.

**Murray Balkcom** · 07-14-2011, 12:18 PM

There were some great inventors who released their patents to the public so that all could benefit. Self sustaining power such as this claims to be, would sure be worth lots of money, but we'd all be better off if he opened it for all to use.

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-14-2011, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Murray Balkcom

There were some great inventors who released their patents to the public so that all could benefit. Self sustaining power such as this claims to be, would sure be worth lots of money, but we'd all be better off if he opened it for all to use.

I think he will, but HE has to have the pantents on it first, or it will never see the light of day.

**scooterbug44** · 07-14-2011, 01:18 PM

Thanks, that last one was the article I read and got excited about - I didn't look at the date, just assumed the online had different content or was edited.

**Will B** · 07-14-2011, 01:44 PM

I remember this being discussed. He actually invented it in 2008. Here's the drawing of it...

Notice anything odd? Yup...it requires 48 volts of car batteries to produce 10 volts of power. The longest it ever ran was no longer than three hours...most likely until it ran out of juice. If it didn't, it would be a perpetual machine which do not exist.

Google it. There are loads of entries with more info than the article...

**scooterbug44** · 07-14-2011, 01:52 PM

The engineers at Purdue are testing it right now, and should have results at the end of the summer.

It's too complicated for me to understand/critique, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it does work.

IMO our ability to think differently and invent things other people say are impossible is what makes our country great.

**kurt** · 07-14-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Will B

I remember this being discussed. He actually invented it in 2008. Here's the drawing of it...

Notice anything odd? Yup...it requires 48 volts of car batteries to produce 10 volts of power. The longest it ever ran was no longer than three hours...most likely until it ran out of juice. If it didn't, it would be a perpetual machine which do not exist.

Google it. There are loads of entries with more info than the article...

If it is gathering free electrons then isn't there an input of energy?

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-14-2011, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

The engineers at Purdue are testing it right now, and should have results at the end of the summer.

It's too complicated for me to understand/critique, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it does work.

IMO our ability to think differently and invent things other people say are impossible is what makes our country great.

Thanks, Scooty. I'm sure that electricity and auto engines had their share of naysayers. I don't think Purdue would be there if they hadn't seen the potential. There are those who say never and those who say why not. I'll stay in the second group. I'm having to convert the HD dvd to another format before I can upload it to youtube. And Murray, I was wrong about the patent. He already has it patented in this design. The real test is pulling a load now.

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-14-2011, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by kurt

If it is gathering free electrons then isn't there an input of energy?

It has to have a jump to begin, but then it is supposed to run from the electrons.

**DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze** · 07-14-2011, 07:55 PM

**Murray Balkcom** · 07-15-2011, 10:14 AM

That is one noisy video.

**Alicia Leonard** · 07-15-2011, 10:48 AM

I don't hear any noise in it until the machine is turned on.The video itself is not noisy at all. But the generator, does make noise. Most machines make noise, especially the generators we have now. I had to convert this file from a HD DVD to a file that could be uploaded to Youtube and it was filmed by a professional from Ft. Walton in HD, but thanks for the response.

This is the studio that made the video:
http://makeascenestudios.com/

**Murray Balkcom** · 07-15-2011, 12:01 PM

I'm sure the video was professionally made. I just couldn't hear the guy over the motor running.

**mputnal3** · 07-15-2011, 12:52 PM

I do not know if this is a viable alternative energy invention or not (it is certainly possible) but I do know that corporate power has the ability to either bury it or monopolize it. Thank you for this information. I hope that more and more people will invest their money into alternative energy research and development. This is most defintitely worth a few of my dollars. I am certainly going to find out more about the business development of this patent. If anyone has more information please share and thank you.

**lenzoe** · 07-16-2011, 11:23 AM

All you really need to do to harness static electricity is to network all those playground structures.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...8616367%29.jpg

**mputnal3** · 07-17-2011, 08:56 AM

I hope that this invention is given a full research opportunity. Of course I really hope that it begins a revolution in the energy industry. I do not know a lot of things but this is what I do know. Try searching alternative energy on the internet. What websites pop up? Answer: BP. Exxon. Chevron.

I was in the pharmaceutical industry for 23 years. I left in part because it became apparent that major drug companies are primarily motivated by one thing: money. In college I had been led to believe that the health care industry had a number one committment toward the health and wellfare of humanity. In practice it became obvious that the number one committment is profit. If there is no profit in it then it will not be researched heavily. If a small company develops a drug that competes with a major drug company then guess what happens. Then there is the billions of dollars that drug companies use to advertise. What products are usually advertised? Mostly erectile dysfunction, over eating and mood. What about cancer, infectious and preventitive?

There has been a major shift of political and economic power over the last 20 years. Corporate power has risen into a monopolizing dominance over a free market system. It will take the creativeness and innovativeness in each of us to recognize and support development of alternative energy and to fix our health care system.