'T.O.M.I. Flapper' applied to a S.M.O.T., Self-Runner...

[Dingus Mungus]

I also can not view the video on this computer. Could someone upload it to youtube?

Thanks in advance,
~Dingus Mungus

[ken_nyus]

What is the difference between this idea and just letting the ball roll back along a fixed track?

[tao]

What is the difference between this idea and just letting the ball roll back along a fixed track?

The first difference is that the ball doesn't have to travel out from the ramp and around the SMOT magnets and enter back into the SMOT ramp in a normal parallel fashion. In this FLAPPER setup, the ball arrives at the ramp perpendicular to the SMOT magnets. Envision what I mean. The FLAPPER setup is like you are placing the ball onto the SMOT from ABOVE/BELOW (perpendicular) to the SMOT ramp and magnets, whereas the track method of returning the ball can only return the ball parallel to the SMOT ramp and magnets, like if you pushed the ball into a normal SMOT ramp instead of placing the ball from above.

The other difference is that instead of having the ball roll around on the track, the whole time experiencing loss due to friction, all be it little, whereas in the FLAPPER setup the friction is only for a shorter period of time and it is the friction the rotor's axis experiences.

[ken_nyus]

But the ball can follow a track that takes the exact same path that the pendulum does.

I do see the point about the rolling friction, but is this really more friction than the bearing that the pendulum would rotate on?

My understanding is that rolling friction is extremely small.

[Duranza]

I think this could work... It takes less force to pull the ball up or down than to pull it forward out of the track. Gravity might be just enough to pull it out.. I'll give this one a try and see...




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