SMOT

[kenbo0422]

Why even try rolling a steel ball up a ramp?  Why not keep it on the same plane???  Why not use a curved magnet or series of magnets to make a curve, then let the next 'ramp' continue the effort?  In effect, you would be making the ball continually rotate around the 'track'.  Then, I ask, why a ball???  Why not a ball (or disk) on an axis (several in fact) connected to a central axis and use it to do some work?  If it is proven to work up a ramp, then use the work in a different manner.  It seems to me that without a continuous movement, connected to something, it is being treated more like a toy and a novelty.

Does this make sense?  It also then falls toward looking like a permanent magnet motor of other varieties which some have had a hard time getting to work.  The key in this one seems to be the ramping of the outer magnets.  Maybe applying the same principle and measurements to other devices it could work efficiently.  I'm in the process of doing that (when time permits).

I want to be retired and spend my days on these things that keep my interest.....   sorry.... I'm babbling again(wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth).

[rlm555339]

One further twist on Kenbo0422's idea........
Do it using a mobius stip and "bingo", you've got infinity.   

[KSW]

ken i think the reason why it isnt kept on the same plane is that, the ball uses the height of the drop to escape the magnetic field.

As i think otherwise if it was just on a flat plane then the ball would roll past the ends and then get pulled back in.

Kane

[kenbo0422]

I was thinking that with the momentum of the ball and another set of magnets at the end of the previous set, the proximity of the magnets it is approaching will continue to pull the ball forward.  The other point, about putting it (them) on an axis, like a star pattern of 5 with a pattern of say 6 sets of magnets, there would always be a ball in play, so to speak to help push the one ball which is at its peak to continue forward.  Does this make more sense?  Sorry about the ranting....  I rant, then try to put the idea in better terms.....

[hartiberlin]

Greg Watson and Epitaxy a few years back did get already a rollaround for several times,
but the ball did acceleratetoo much and jumped out of the track.
The setup was just too unreliable to work "every time".

With the right mechanical setup it should really work to get
a reliable rollaround all the time, especially if you have a low
friction inside the rails and the won energy in the ramp will
be used up during the rollaround for the friction
and it will not have too much speed, if it reenters the ramp track.

Somebody will soon introduce a real measurement device for
the energy gain inside the SMOT track.

Regards, Stefan.