Magnetic Engine

[lumen]

Based on the principal of some self removing shield, one might consider an engine design something like this where the laminated shield could be compressed or expanded along the same axis as the magnet moves and tied to the same operating component so both forces work together in unison.

[lumen]

Or the design could be arranged in the direction where the forces in the laminated area of the shield are known to expand with enough force to separate the shield after the magnets are moved together.

The expanding laminated shield is a new untested design where a solid "U" shield is already known to work.
However, logically if the forces are sufficient to separate a solid shield, one might try to optimize the effect by laminating the shield.

[shylo]

use tapered steel to cause progressive motion, you can make magnets climb hills.
no force to overcome to enter the track ,and let gravity provide the force to exit.
artv

[Newton II]

I was still updating my post before your reply but in fact, the shields will repel themselves for a segment of the magnets due to the field traveling in the same direction through the shields.

It depends on the thickness of the shield used.   If you use very thick shield, both poles get totally neutralized and you don't see any magnetic effect at all!!!   

[lumen]

Newton II:
A thick shield to totally redirect the field is what is required.
The shield will pull itself over the magnet and stop.
Then the shield must be moved further over the magnet to extend past the final edge of the magnet so all field is contained.
Moving the shield further onto the magnet takes little force.
Once two sets are then placed tight at the shields and the magnets are moved tight together, the shield will separate to expose repelling magnets.
If the repelling magnets move apart, the shields will pull themselves back over the magnets and must be latched at this point to prevent this action.

But in the end, the process appears to be a cycle.
I have done this experiment several times so I already know this is what happens.
I was only throwing it out there because it seems to be an exception that may be showing something useful.