An other buoyancy based idea

[hansvonlieven]

G'day Bulbz,

On reflection there are two flaws in the system as proposed that are unfortunately fatal.

I have little experience with ferrofluids but if I remember correctly you cannot push a ferrofluid with a magnet. From memory ferrofluids are fine soft iron particles suspended in a liquid of some kind. Whilst soft iron is attracted to a magnet it cannot be repelled with a magnet, you need an opposing magnetic field to do this, ie another magnet of opposite polarity.

The second flaw is the same as in a two liquid system. Since the floats have to be by necessity lighter than the fluid on the opposing side the pressure that needs to be overcome to push the floats around the bend as it were is greater than the column of the floats on the opposing side can generate and buoyancy works against you instead of for you.

Still, you are an original thinker and we need people like you in this forum. Good luck.

Hans von Lieven

[hansvonlieven]

Bulbz,


If the above it true, the ferrofluid near the magnet would become "solidified" and would not allow the balls to move through.  Can anyone confirm or refute this concern?

M.

You are correct Mondrasek

Hans von Lieven

[spinner]

Bulbz,
I agree, too! Very interesting and unique concept!  Excellent idea!

...
I once played with a ferrofluid demo toy.  It was two dispensing syringes attached at the end where the needle could be.  So the plungers were at each end.  The center area between the two plungers was filled with ferrofluid.  So when you pushed in on one plunger the other would push out.  The demo part was a small magnet that you could place on the center junction of the syringes.  With this magnet in place it was impossible to push either plunger.  The explanation was that the magnetic field caused the ferrofluid to act as a solid.

If the above it true, the ferrofluid near the magnet would become "solidified" and would not allow the balls to move through.  Can anyone confirm or refute this concern?
M.

Yes, I'm afraid this would happen... Ferrofluids are all a colloidal mixtures of solid ferric nanoparticles dissolved in a liquid (light oil)...
In device described, the magnet would probably cause a greater density of solid particles, and clogging of the passage...
The other problem could be leaking of the ferrofluid in the axis of the magnet. Ferrofluids don't act like a polarised "hard" magnets, they behave more like paramagnetic material... The repel would not happen like it is drawn in the picture.

Hey, just IMHO....

The concept is intriguing. If anyone has a pint of ferrofluid at hand...?  Cheers!

[Bulbz]

Hello again Guys...

If the magnet was move to the position in the picture, would the fluid act in the desired way ?. Or would some of the fluid just collect around the magnet, leaving the rest to level out ?.


P.S... I have another design in my head, but it may take me a while to draw an illustrasion. I will get back to you with that one. 

[Gravitator]

LOL

I suggest you study some hydraulics, Communicating tubes would be a good place to start.

Hans von Lieven

Thanks Hans. I started my studies at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy 

@Bulbz

Very interesting idea