Roll on the 20th June

[oak]

OK I didn't see your post (Archer) about removing the lid from the cup until after I posted mine.

So:  have 1-ton weight on one side of the fulcrum, balanced with a 1-ton weight and a cup of helium on the other side.  (The fulcrum is not centered exactly between the two, given the slight weight difference.)  Remove the lid of the cup.  One side or the other will rise, given that air will replace the helium in the cup.  Probably the side opposite the cup, since air is heavier, but it might depend on whether you put the lid back!

(ETA:  Just saw your last post, so OK, this would not work either due to friction.)

[ramset]

Oak thats simple  very basic   that works   Chet

[sm0ky2]

the first person to write how and why will get the first copy of the machine when complete.

very simple.  ::  start with 32,169.6716 cubic feet of helium (at ambient pressure).
and compress this into a cup.

now simply take the lid off the cup, releasing this helium into a baloon, tied to the top of the 1 ton mass.

this could also be done using slightly less helium - by using a 'rigid' (metal) baloon, and less than ambient pressure.

[sm0ky2]

i may be totally off here, but loking at the picture -

i would guess that a current is ran through the 'washer-stacks' , to form an electromagnet.
providing lift at just the right moment.

[b0rg13]

hmmmm , intersting pic, are/is the magnet array expanded at 7 and contracted at 1?.(some how, just a small movment in weight and practicly fritionless ?. im just thinking/blundering out loud  .