Finsrud perpetual motion machine

[Joh70]

look at the video: the ball rolls relatively slow and has to overcome only friction.

i asume very big. the pendulums have to be very long. the weights heavy. a crane driver has to learn about coriolis power, because when driving mass outwards it shifts away a bit. but this is a huge crane and mass with relatively little effective power out of axis caused by coriolis (earth rotation spin). also such a device will only work between the equator and the poles. so it will not work in middle-africa, where the poor people would need it.

so i am not sure, i would suggest not to investigate further, to use coriolis power for energy production. before that, i would use the moons gravity to gain energy.

[starryskyguy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us7YB7eiOeQ is an interesting ten minute video clip.  I watched the longer clip in the other link, also.  I wonder if this how the machine works:  it is a study of harmonic motions coupled to magnetic attraction forces and hysteresis.  There are no electrostatic forces, dry cell power supplies, or sloping rails to employ gravity.
A perfectly horizontal and stationary circular track is made of two aluminum rails, and holds a rolling ball. The ball passes close to magnetic fields spaced evenly around the track in three places.  At each place, a cylindrical magnet is over the track, and a horseshoe magnet is to the inside margin of the track.  The overhead magnet affects the inside edge magnet by drawing out its field toward the track centerline.  The magnets accelerate the ball toward their combined magnetic fields.  One can see the overhead magnet dip slightly on its thin, flexible support, as it attracts the ball, which passes close to its face.  The inside magnet is on a movable arm, so that it moves away from the upper magnet as the ball passes, thus weakening the sum of the attractive fields.  The ball gets a net increase in momentum.  The movable arm is actuated by a long pendulum's swing.  As the ball moves past the fields, it rolls over a wire lever that imparts a tiny kick to the pendulum's motion.  The pendulum maintains the same swing amplitude and rate.  The ball proceeds around the track to the next magnetic field station, not slowed very much by the wire lever.  The process is repeated, using identical mechanical linkages at each of three positions around the track.  The entire machine is in a glass cabinet to shield it from air currents.  The ball continues around the track in the same cyclic rate, the pendulums continue to swing, and the magnets continue to impart momentum each time the ball passes.  Having two magnets attract the ball, and only one retard it,  may mean that there is a transformation of magnetic field energy into kinetic energy.  The kinetic energy overcomes friction and air resistance.  As the decrease in magnetic attraction in these permanent magnets is measured in decades, if not centuries, this may be called a "perpetual motion machine", as its performance may outlive its creator.  The only limitation the machine may have in the short term is wear of bearing surfaces.  These could be hardened, as is done in fine watch movements.  The central staff supports the track in isolation from the base flange.  This is to reduce the influence of room vibrations (footfalls) upon the track and ball.  One can see the large coil spring under the brass dome at the top.  A lot of the brackets, counterweights and adjustments along the top portion are to make the machine adjustable.  There is a delicate balance of the moving pendulum bracket, horseshoe magnet, and pendulum bob.  It must be completely neutral in position when at rest, and completely free in several directions, so as to free side vibrations in the bob and rod.  The pendulum must swing and move the horseshoe magnet with as little loss of energy as possible.  The moving ball will refresh every other swing.  The speed of the ball and the frequency of the swings must be coordinated precisely, otherwise the ball will arrive at the wire lever at the wrong instant.  This is done by adjusting the length of the pendulum, the distances of the magnets from the ball, and the rolling resistance of the ball on the track rails.
I am sure that there are no electrostatic forces, as there are no dust particles attracted to the machine and no appearance of scars from high voltage arcing, or use of insulating materials.

[AnandAadhar]

I have loaded a video analyzing the Finsrud device. The basic conclusion is:
If we repel or expand from a diallel - towards the center - array of magnets and counter that force with the contraction or attraction of gravity driven magnets, then we can make a motor run given a cyclic setup containing a vibrating feedback loop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9GucVwc36Q

[kidsicu2]

Wonderful analysis!  My thoughts were along that line as well. I just wish I had 12 years free to make one similar to it.

The pendulum motion works any where on earth and so would this machine.

A daring attempt should be made as to how to best harness the kinetic energy involved. Harnessing the energy would be the best use of the minds surrounding this forum.

[Neodymium]

What about using Fibre Glass resin as a glue?  That's a strong fixative that won't dry out:)