Help needed with Hyde Generator

[Mark69]

Sorry, I don't know much about that.  Could it be something with the pot that controls the output speed?

[Steven Dufresne]

@Mark69,
Thanks but nevermind. I just removed all the plates and disks and attached the original grinding wheels and was able to get it up to 10,000 RPM no problem. This was with the phototachmeter mounted in the same position as I used with the disks earlier this morning. So the problem is that the load of the completed disks brings the speed down to 3700 RPM. In my first youtube video where I got over 7000 RPM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp1KbuZC6lg
the disks didn't have any slots cut radially in them nor did they have any metal segments glued to them. My guess is all this acts like a fan, blowing air, the air acting like a load. The box isn't airtight and when it's running I feel airflow when sitting behind a second safety barrier which I erected.

So it's a relief that nothing is damaged but a bummer that I have a major load issue. One of the disks is wobbly so maybe eliminating that wobble will help. I also wonder if enclosing the disks as in the patent would help. Oh, well, back to the grind(er)  .
-Steve
http://rimstar.org   http://wsminfo.org

[Steven Dufresne]

Hi All,
Well, I hit a wall with this motor. With disks that have slots cut radially in them and metal segments attached, the fastest I can do is around 4000 RPM and I need > 6000 RPM. I guess the slots make it act like a fan and pushing the air loads it down too much. So it's back to hunting for another motor. My current thought is to look for a dual-shaft model RC racing car motor and go with slightly smaller diameter disks. There's a store in town that will probably have them. Also, I'll get the disks fully machined to match the way the patent describes them. In the patent they aren't the usual segments glued to plastic disks. They're standalone metal segmented disks, one disk of which has some plastic glued to it.

In terms of output testing, by the time I eliminated all stray sources for the spikes I'd seen on my scope, there were no spikes left at all. And since that's what I was after, I didn't get it. But that's to be expected Hyde didn't get them either until he went over that elusive 6000 RPM. I did get 100V peek-to-peek AC with around 600 microamps AC, but that's normal stuff expected of this type of electrostatic generator.

Anyway, I put more photo details of the construction on: http://rimstar.org/sdenergy/hyde_generator
-Steven "never surrender" D.
http://rimstar.org   http://wsminfo.org

[Paul-R]

Hi All,
Well, I hit a wall with this motor. With disks that have slots cut radially in them and metal segments attached, the fastest I can do is around 4000 RPM and I need > 6000 RPM. I guess the slots make it act like a fan and pushing the air loads it down too much.

How difficult would it be to build an air tight box around the entire apparatus (or find
a suitable such box), and then connect a tube to a domestic vacuum cleaner in
order to reduce the air pressure and wind losses? (There might eventually be
overheating problems).
Paul.

[vince]

Steve

Before you give up on your current design try something simple.  Start your unit like you normally would and get it to it's maximum speed. Use an air compressor and blow gun( If you have one) to force air tangentially at one of your rotors to help it accelerate. It should give you a little tesla turbine action and get you near your required speed.

Vince.