i would like to build/market/sell it.anyone know where i should start cuz i'm so broke i can't build a prototype? :(
If all you have is an idea, and no way to build and test your idea, your gonna be hard pressed to sell the idea to anyone.... I recommend taking you time to build your idea any way you can... scavenge spare parts from junk and slowly assemble it... even a crude working model is better than no model at all...
I myself have been working on building a magnetic motor... and I've had to scavenge for parts myself.
the old "I've got a brilliant idea but I can't afford to build it" will only fly with investors if:
A. You have a rich uncle or family friend that will listen to you.
B. You have the skills of a used car salesman and can talk an investor into helping you
C. You happen to be studying to be an engineer and can draw up excellent, believable plans for construction of your device (sketch's on napkins do not inspire faith or trust from investors)
...Your great idea may work, but without actual, visual proof-of-concept (a working prototype), your asking for help on faith in your idea alone. I wish you the best of luck. The only advice I can offer is to try and find used, preexisting parts to frankenstine together a prototype.
PwrDream
P.S. - If you want to be able to build/machine your product for little to no cost, I recommend seeking employment at a facility that has machining equipment. I had a friend who worked part time at a sign manufacturing company in Texas, and he had access to using their large cnc router tables to cut out his own prototype parts for building his own "gadgets"... Get a part time job at a machine shop, get in good with the machining department, and build away.....
I love all kinds of novel thermal systems. Would be nice if you opensourced it.
few things to consider when you try to market your idea for production:
1.How does the efficiency compare to photovoltaic cells?
2.How does the efficiency compare to solar stirling systems?
3.What's the initial cost to build such system in comparison to other systems of same efficiency?
I can't think of a way a steam engine could outperform any of the current systems, but it might just be cheaper to build for some applications.
Quote from: christo4_99 on July 07, 2008, 08:26:54 AM
i would like to build/market/sell it.anyone know where i should start cuz i'm so broke i can't build a prototype? :(
PwrDream made some great points, and it looks like there is no getting around money, given, I take it, that you cannot make the solar panels, and will need to buy those.
In addition, you have to realize that what you right now is maybe 5% of the idea that you will have when you are finished. Often, when dreaming up ideas, you do not take into account many ramifications. A working model will of course show you where you are right and where you are wrong, so I am afraid there is no substitute for hands on experimentation.