Creative New

Geo-magnetic rotary motor

Via createthefuturecontest

This is a rotary motor powered by a voltage source in combination with the Earth’s magnetic field. This motor can be scaled from very small to very large to accommodate a variety of applications.

An electromagnetic coil is the main element which is fixed to an axis of rotation. The axis must be designed for very low friction for max efficiency. The electromagnetic coils terminate in conductive brushes, akin to those in most brushed DC motors. These brushes contact two “C” shaped metal patches that each circumscribe an arc of approximately 170-175 degrees. These two patches are charged with a positive and negative DC charge. When the electromagnet is placed on its axis and makes contact with these elements it will be prone to align itself with the Earth’s magnetic poles. Once the electromagnet aligns with the poles, there must be enough inertia in the electromagnetic rod, (or flywheel) to carry it an additional 5-10 degrees beyond equilibrium. At this point, the contact brushes will transition to the adjacent (oppositely charged) patch, and the polarity of the magnet will be reversed and it will again travel 180 degrees before reversing polarity once again.

A variation of this design, in order to eliminate the need for a start-up motor, and also eliminate the necessity for inertia in the system would be to place three electromagnets offset 120 degrees from one another.

Agreed, this is a variation on a standard DC motor with the permanent magnets now incorporated into the earth. However, the advantage that you have here is that there is only one part. If this were incorporated into, say, a flying saucer.. or merry-go-round, you would alleviate the need for the fixed portion of the machine since the earth will act as the base against which forces will push to achieve the rotational motion.