After reading some threads here I still would encourage considering the SMOT and if - or why not - the loop may be closed.
I still don't understand, why there are nowhere - as far I checked until now - someone tried to close the loop and came up with reporting on why he failed.
We can have a look maybe at the JPNaudin or Tom's SMOT, and find the ball rolling a good deal off after falling.
Why shouldn't it arrive at the start of the ramp again?
Also I found this plan http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/rmodmk1.htm analog to the SMOT but rotating.
But didn't find any hint, if it's been ever build or which result it produced.
Experimenting the SMOT I found to be very simple:
I was using 10 small Neodyme-Magnets of 15mm diameter.
Useful and inexpensive are cabel-channel elements like this: http://www.elektrofachmarkt-online.de/images/big/600317.jpg .
You have the track removing the top and if you cut at one (the down) end about 20mm the sides you may easily fix it to a plate by nails, screws or clamp.
You may use it also for fixing the magnets within two additional parts at the side of the SMOT.
Thus it is made by investing just about 10,-.
Alternate fixing of the magnets by 1 - 2 mm strong / 10 - 20 width angled aluminium (copper, bronce..) strip for having mor flexibility of adjustment.
The modified RMOD
(https://overunityarchives.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjnaudin.free.fr%2Fimages%2Frmod1iso.gif&hash=9c213d368cbacb400a8a43cf181da951678d8592) (modified by asymmetric placement of ball / weight, for instance having only one ball)
seems to be interesting, since it's reproducing the interaction of magnetic force and gravitation, while the wheel works being an cyclic pendulum / asymmetric. Thus it gets the same combination, like the Finsrud arrangement has, using the pendulum and magnets.
I think, it's easy to be build, doesn't afford complex arrangement or expensive parts in it and one may concentrate at the most crucial adjustments and basic concepts instead of spending time, money, energy and work into the producing of complexity and eventual inscrutable constructions.
The wheel of the mentioned design doesn't really needs to be a wheel, but also maybe a rotating bar / pendulum, with some counterweight on it.
Many variations possible for trying, experimenting, improving.
But IMO should be small - the wheel about 100 - 300mm diameter, allowing developig such design at very limited costs while using neodyme-magnets or like this.
Thus the question, if someone here already tried this design and failed definitely and found out, there's no chance to succeed since some reason, I don't imagine now.
Otherwise I'm going to try, what kind of result is awaiting this way.
thanx for hints and replying in advance
int25
PS:
maybe in addition a concept like this one:
http://theverylastpageoftheinternet.com/newclaims/GravityMotor/gravity_motor.htm might be interesting, if the wheel needs some kind of dynamics, it doesn't produce by itself
I feel this is on the right track.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2703180506289064827