Homopolar Generators (N-Machine) by Bruce de Palma

[TinselKoala]

@mags:
Yes, the "magnet mover 1.jpg" rendering is very strange, a new one on me. It might be possible to test this using the standard one-piece HPM that you described. By a curious coincidence I made one a couple of months ago myself, but I never thought to try it with two brushes on the edge, I've just run it with the single brush and the axle point connections.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFMq1Cvtg1s

What is being pushed against, even in the ordinary configuration? In my setup the copper braid brush is very limp, it doesn't seem like it could be taking the "stator back reaction" that we usually think must exist somewhere for the rotor to spin. Push against that braid and it just flops out of the way.

Tomorrow I'll try it with two brushes on the edge, diametrically across the magnet disk. This "may" duplicate the mover 1 configuration, or there may be something special about the extended surface of the aluminum foil that is needed. We'll see...

Thanks for the puzzler!

[broli]

Tomorrow I'll try it with two brushes on the edge, diametrically across the magnet disk. This "may" duplicate the mover 1 configuration, or there may be something special about the extended surface of the aluminum foil that is needed. We'll see...

Thanks for the puzzler!

I think you should try both, a brush on one side and a large conductive planar body on the other if that's possible. Honestly I tried this myself and got no indication of rotation. However I had major fusing issue where the wire would cause a spark upon touching the magnet and stick to it, even if there was a slight tendency for rotation I wouldn't have been able to notice it. The approaching angle of the top wire might also be important.

The reason I find the possible operation of this strange is that in this kind of operation there should in theory be no induced EMF as you go from rim to rim.

[TinselKoala]

I think you should try both, a brush on one side and a large conductive planar body on the other if that's possible. Honestly I tried this myself and got no indication of rotation. However I had major fusing issue where the wire would cause a spark upon touching the magnet and stick to it, even if there was a slight tendency for rotation I wouldn't have been able to notice it. The approaching angle of the top wire might also be important.

The reason I find the possible operation of this strange is that in this kind of operation there should in theory be no induced EMF as you go from rim to rim.

I agree with all of that.

My fusing problem was somewhat reduced when I used a current-limiting power supply set to a maximum of 6 amps. With a battery that can produce a lot more current the problem is "sticky" all right, things weld together easily especially if you use a fine braid like I used. The braid wires also tend to burn away, even at 6 amps maximum, and the braid gets shorter.

Another thing that is interesting about using the current-limiting supply is that it lets you see that the voltage needed goes way down. I see readings of 1 volt or so, at 6 amps, as the supply automatically reduces voltage to keep the current at the set limit.

If you have some mercury or GalInStan liquid metal (I don't, at present)  you could try that for contacts, but beware of the mercury vapor that happens when you have sparking and big currents in the mercury.

[ElectricPirate]

Hi guys i like to share my idea to know whether the magnetic field is stationary or not. My idea is to use capacitor to collect charge in the disc. If charge is collected, this means the magnetic field is stationary because there is voltage generated in the disc. If no charge collected this means the disc doesnt generate voltage because the magnetic field is rotating as magnet rotate.

[Magluvin]

Thanks for the interest guys

Tk

I see the braided brush, once it makes contact, it is magnetically pulled in for heavier contact, then releases at times. I have that with the mag on foil.

Was thinking last night about the 2 positions of the wire on the mags in my depictions, and the opposite movement direction of the mag.  This could get very interesting.  One thing, if you try to make contacts with opposite outer edges of the mag in your config, I myself, did not see spin with my setup as you have it. Only rotation with contacts of outer edge with either or both axles. Meaning current from the center of the mag to the outer edge, or outer edge to center causes rotation. Now on the foil, edge to edge does cause 'apparent' rotation, so you may see the mags in your setup possibly 'move' within the space tolerance of your axle looseness on the base. Like the mag will jump, up, or you will see a bit of movement, but no rotation. My setup like yours is a bit tighter at the axle holes on the base, so I was just burning the mags edge surface.

So on the foil, where the mag is more free to move instead of just rotate, if I make contact as in depiction 2, I believe that only the bottom portion of the mag is being pulled/pushed in a particular direction, causing the rotation we see on the fixed axle setup. But on the foil in depiction 1, I believe the mag as a whole is being pushed/pulled, perpendicular to the contacts.

Think about this, which Ill try today also.  make a very light weight floating device. Arrange a magnet and a small battery, with + and - connected to the outer edges of the mag. Will the little boat move in water based on that?    Similar to the pendulum idea but possibly simpler to construct.

Thanks again for showing. Will be taking camera to shop today. 

Mags