Maybe possible idea for duplicating effect of Holcomb and others

[citfta]

The following is the code for an Arduino Uno board to flash 3 LEDs in order and repeat over and over.  I have modified the program to read a potentiometer and adjust the speed of flashing of the LEDs.  I believe we can use this to generate a nice clean 3 phase signal.  When I get time I will post a video of it in action.  But the signals look nice on the scope.  They are nice and square with one pulse following the next cleanly.  The output is a square wave.  My next part of the project is to connect the output to some opto-couplers to drive either mosfets or IGBTs.  Then we will be ready for some more testing of the rotating magnetic field.  I chose the Arduino Uno because it is easily available for others and also there are literally thousands of programs and projects that use Arduino boards so it is likely some of you are already familiar with using it.

/*
  For Loop Iteration


Demonstrates the use of a for() loop.
Lights multiple LEDs in sequence.


The circuit:
* LEDs from pins 2 through 4 to ground





http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ForLoop
*/
int sensorPin = A0;    // select the input pin for the potentiometer


int sensorValue = 0;  // variable to store the value coming from the sensor




void setup() {
  // use a for loop to initialize each pin as an output:
  for (int thisPin = 2; thisPin < 5; thisPin++) {
    pinMode(thisPin, OUTPUT);
  }
}


void loop() {
  //read the value from the sensor:
  sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);
  // loop from the lowest pin to the highest:
  for (int thisPin = 2; thisPin < 5; thisPin++) {
    // turn the pin on:
    digitalWrite(thisPin, HIGH);
    delay(sensorValue);
    // turn the pin off:
    digitalWrite(thisPin, LOW);
  }
}

Decided to add a picture of the signals.  I only have a two channel scope working at this time so one of the signals is missing.


Later,
Carroll

[Ufopolitics]

Hello to All,

Basically @ Citfta, as to any other one who is working on this project...I wanted to make this short comment.
According to my tests with the Alternator driven by the FET's ESC:

I have noticed that this pulses to the outer stator, only output this clear -spaced out/off phase- signals, as long as there is the Rotor Field turned on, present.
Otherwise, (if we turn it off, or even lower its power too much) the signals on the 3 Phases distorts to a very high frequency...while, of course, rotor will stop turning.

In other words, it is NOT the same configuration as when I use my Rotary Switch, where the signals are present, no matter if or not, there is another field on the other side...

So, I wonder if this would work (output the spaced out signals back again), when we load the output coils on a static rotor, since it would be forming that secondary field, but static...

Regards

Ufopolitics

[citfta]

I would certainly try to load the rotor while applying the pulses to the stator and see what happens.  I do know from my testing that the position of the rotor will affect how well the energy is induced into the rotor.  So you might want to try slowly adjusting the position of the stationary rotor while applying the pulses.


I have not had time yet to build the FET ESC.  I got sidetracked with the idea of making a digital circuit for creating square wave pulses.  So I put together the simple circuit I posted about above.  I am still trying to catch up on things here at home after getting back from my trip.  I want to connect my digital circuit to some opto-couplers and some FETs or IGBTs and drive the stator coils with those square wave pulses to see what that does to the rotor.


On another thought.  Do you remember what frequency you were getting with your mechanical switching system?  I realize that up to a point the higher the frequency the more power will be induced into the fixed rotor coils.  The higher frequency should be just like moving the magnets faster in the regular generator.  I tested my original alternator output when turning it at high speed with the scooter motor and the output frequency was about 225 hz.  That was also turning it faster than when I had it hooked to the second alternator.  I am guessing that when I had them hooked together I was only driving the second one with a frequency of maybe 175 hz.  Just another area to research.


Take care,
Carroll

[Jimboot]

I've moved away from the alternator but I have a 3 phase washing machine bldc motor. I have removed the pms from the rotor and will be replacing with coils. The stator is 3 phase but only looks like a couple of ohms so I may rewind it. As my rotor has 8 poles I should be able to try something closer to how I think Holcomb is doing it. I've built the esc circuit with irf1405 and irfpc50 . It's good to test with but once I have my rotor wound I'll be looking for a circuit that is simply flipping the polarity of each coil to create the rotation rather than pulsing them.

[kolbacict]

This works even if a three-phase transformer is connected instead of a three-phase motor stator.