Extraordinary Genius Chapter 191 - Bladeless fans

Feng Yu returned to Bing City on the 10th day of the New Year. It was not that he was bored at home, but it was Li Shiyou, and Hau Haitao called him back. Hou Haitao had informed him that the first bladeless fan prototype was ready!

Feng Yu jumped up in joy when he heard the news. This bladeless fan will be Tai Hua Trading’s golden goose. Even if it could not reach the sales of the humidifiers, the profit margin was higher and could earn more than the plastic fans. It can also be exported to earn foreigner’s money. After he registered the patent, he does not need to worry about imitations.

At this time, air conditioners were still not popular, and the prices were too high. Also, the noises from the compressors were too loud and dripping water. It was also too bulky.

An air conditioner costs a few thousand and the installation fees also needs another few thousand RMB. Only some government agencies could install. It was not that private companies could not afford, but it was the restriction of the electrical supply. Most places if switched on the air conditioner, the fuse would blow out!

It was different with electric fans, Fans were still the mainstream home appliances for cooling down an indoor area, and this will continue for a few more years. Feng Yu’s bladeless fan would be targeting the affluent market. It was almost the same as the humidifiers, but the bladeless fan would be positioned even higher than the humidifiers. The overseas market was the same. Many wealthy people in Europe and the US like innovative and hi-tech products. As long as they like it, they would not mind paying more!

Feng Yu told his parents and left for Bing City. He did not even go back to his Bing City’s home and immediately rush to the Aviation Factory.

Li Shiyou was already there and was sitting in Hou Haitao’s office drinking tea. Anyway, the Motor Factory would be the contractor to manufacture the bladeless fans. He would earn money no matter how many fans the factory produces.

Furthermore, there was good news this year. The Motor Factory had gotten 3/5 of the orders from the Three Gorges Dam project. Just these orders, the Motor Factory would be making profits for the coming few years.

Because of the size and scope of the Three Gorges Dam project, the Motor Factory’s reputation would increase a lot, and they might become China’s largest generator manufacturer. In a few years’ time, they might be the largest generator in Asia.

It was all Li Shiyou’s credit to turn around the Motor Factory from a loss-making factory two years ago to a thriving enterprise now. He might be promoted within these 2 years.

When Feng Yu enter, Li Shiyou smiled and wished Feng Yu a happy New Year. Feng Yu exchanged some greetings and hurriedly asked for the prototype.

“Ha, ha, ha. Don’t be so anxious. I had sent someone to get it. Sit down and enjoy your tea. I had tested it, and the wind was strong. It was more comfortable than normal fans. I wonder what is inside your mind. We have so many students in the factory, and none of them could think if something like this!” Hou Haitao said.

Feng Yu sat on the sofa and said: “It’s all luck. Luck.” But his facial expression was screaming the words “I am a genius”!

Li Shiyou laughed: “Director Hou, stop praising him. He would not give you a single cent even if you praise him. Sometimes, this brat can be very generous but somethings, he can be very stingy!”

The three of them chatted, and Hou Haitao’s secretary came into the office with 2 men carrying a huge machine. Boom! A loud sound was heard when they place the machine on the floor.

Feng Yu was looking with wide eyes. This big thing was the “Successful Prototype” of the bladeless fan? This stupid thing was a few times bigger than what he imagined and why was it all in metal? It should weigh at least 50 Kg. Whose household fan would weigh so much? I thought I had instructed them to use plastic?

Feng Yu was going crazy. Calling him over for this thing? Which idiot would buy this stupid thing? If he pushes this product into the market, Wind and Rain and Tai Hua Trading would be the laughing stock of the whole of China!

“Director Hou, this is the successful prototype which you told me?” Feng Yu turned to Hou Haitao. He purposely said the word successful loudly. He dares to claim that this stupid thing is a successful prototype? How much of the development funds were to produce this thing?

d.a.m.n, it seems like it’s time for him to have a talk with Hou Haitao. Feng Yu was willing to spend on R&D, but that does not mean that he was ready to be a sucker.

Hou Haitao paused for a while and then burst out laughing: “You are talking about this thing? If this is really the prototype, why would I ask you over? This is the first prototype we built with metal according to your requirements. There. Xiao Liu is holding the real prototype!”

Feng Yu turned and sighed in relief.

Secretary Liu was carrying something about 80 cm in height. The exterior was similar to the bladeless fans Feng Yu had seen in his previous life. The only difference was the base was too ugly. It had to be redesigned. The top was exactly the same as the bladeless fans he saw!

“That first prototype is for you to make comparisons. In case you accused us of using your R&D fees on other areas.”

Feng Yu laughed: “Director Hou, this is not the first time we worked together. Why would I not trust you? Can’t you tell that I was only joking with you earlier?”

Feng Yu was thinking in his heart. You dare to claim that you did not misrepresent the cost of research and development? But forget it. Even if the costs were misrepresented, it would still be cheaper than those research facilities overseas. Furthermore, Feng Yu still wanted to have a good relationship with Hou Haitao. He chose to close one eye.

“That’s enough explaining. Let’s look at the result.”

Hou Haitao waved his hands, and Secretary Liu switched on the fan, and a gentle breeze could be felt.

Feng Yu was standing in front of the fan, and he slowly moves backward. When he reaches 3 meters from the fan, he could still feel the wind. The wind from the fan was more stable and more comfortable. It felt like the natural wind.

“What about the safety?” Feng Yu looked at Secretary Liu.

Secretary Liu did not say anything. He put his hand into the round cylinder fan top and touched the surface of the cylinder’s interior.

Feng Yu nodded. There was no electrical leak and would not hurt anybody. This was safer than the traditional electric fans.

“The electricity consumption?”

“60 watts!” Secretary replied proudly.

The plastic fans in the market were mostly 30 to 40 watts, and these bladeless fans were only using 60 watts. Compared to those traditional metal fans, where the electrical consumptions were about 100 watts, this was considered a great achievement.

Feng Yu was not happy. He turned to Hou Haitao and asked: “Can you still lower the power of the motor? Will the airflow be affected?”

“Yes, we can, but it requires more testing and more research funds.” Hou Haitao smiled at Feng Yu, it was quite obvious what he wanted. Give me money, and we will carry on developing this fan.

Feng Yu remembered that the bladeless fans in his previous life were using only 40 watts and it saves a lot of electricity. Actually, 60 watts was okay, but if it can still be improved, he had to try. Electrical consumption was also a selling point for the fan. Feng Yu need to know how much Hou Haitao wanted for the research fund. If it was a considerable amount, then forget it. He would just make do with this model.

“We can discuss the R&D fund later. Have you tested the lifespan of this fan? I don’t want customers to bring back the fan, and the fan died on them the next day!”

“We are doing the test now. I wanted to show you our results first. Didn’t you say that you want to change the exterior of the fan?” Hou Haitao nodded. He also knew that if he produced a defective product and introduces into the market, the Aviation Factory who was in charge of developing the product would be responsible. The compensation would not be a small amount.

“Fine. I will get someone to design the exterior, and you carry on doing the tests. When the exterior designs are completed, we will apply for the patent. After your tests are completed, we can start manufacturing immediately. We should be able to make it in time for this year’s summer!”