Something I discovered, work free switching? Neutral force with steel & NIB's?

[Butch LaFonte]

Butch this is my theory on why the steel bars react the way the do. Please do not take this the wrong way, every body is so heated about mylow and everything. But I feel you are wrong on the magnetic flux making a complete connection around the bars. In your other video's you have them facing the opposite ways(north to south) which would make a complete circuit. Insted, since you have the norths facing the same way they repell each other and push the flux of both magnets to the end of the bars. As to the neutral spot in the middle, since all three magnet poles are facing the same way you are noticing a weaker form of repelling since the mags are so far apart. When you turn the magnet around (south to north) in the middle you are actually pulling the flux back into the middle of the bars and away from the bar on the end. That is why it is easier to take that bar off.               I bet if you can look at the flux of the two magnets(north to north) it would look like two butterflies side by side smashing the wings together on the inside.      Let me know what you think.

I feel you are correct on most points, but I can't help feel that the flux of both magnets are going to the end with the cross bar and maybe a little to the air gap at the other end. A FEMM would be nice to see what is going on. I have attached drawing to show rotary switch operation. As it rotates across the space between the bars, a lot of steel stays on both bars so drag or cogging is eliminated. It needs a 3D animation to help people understand it.
Let me know what you think.
Butch

[tournamentdan]

I feel you are correct on most points, but I can't help feel that the flux of both magnets are going to the end with the cross bar and maybe a little to the air gap at the other end.                                                                                                                                     

I think your drawings are very interesting.  I still think there is an equal amount of flux on the left and the right side of the bars. But I think you should keep looking into it.  How about this for an idea, see if in the middle of the bar it will shield another magnet. You never know you might be able to pass a smaller magnet through the middle. let me know