Impulse engine a reality

[scotthm]

The mechanism should be intuitively obvious.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."

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[Nebusj]

It is too important to be restricted or patented. By making public disclosure it is placed in the public domain and any greed heads are defeated from patenting it. This simple device can change the world - build your own. We no longer need to steal someones oil and space is opened to us. Two blessings.

But we'll be completely dependent on the pool ball industry for working materials!

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

All we see here is talk of vectors and such. What's the actual structure of this engine? What materials do you need to build one?

if it's that easy

 

[Kirk McLoren]

All we see here is talk of vectors and such. What's the actual structure of this engine? What materials do you need to build one?

if it's that easy

I built my solenoid using thinwall plastic from a hobby shop. Even sprinkler PVC is too thick. The "piston" was a 3/8 neodymium magnet 3 inches long. http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D8Z0 is half inch as I dont see a 3/8 any more on their site that is 3 inches. An H bridge is used to reverse the current to drive it back and forth.
There is nothing magical in the diameter, you choose it based on the size you wish to build. The length also is not cast in cement. Rapid shorter pulses or less frequent larger pulses, it is how much you can accelerate it and how often that determines the sum of the impulses. The coil was 3 inches long, 3 layers of 26 gauge magnet wire and is fastened to the vehicle. Assuming to the right is the direction of travel, you energise the coil until the magnet fills the coil and then de-energise the coil. allow free flight to a spring which captures the impulse of the "piston" and returns the decelerative force produced by the coil attached to the vessel. When the spring expands the piston is accelerated opposite to the vector it arrived with and accelerates the vessel. When the spring is fully extended apply current reversed using the H bridge. The force on the coil accelerates the vessel as it accelerates the piston.
Again power down when the coil is fully immersed and let it free fly to the targets.
Coil centering can be detected by measuring inductance (max at filled) or other sensors, photo or otherwise. Attachment to the magnet can be made with http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=R822CS-P&cat=173 or just a screw of suitable ferrous material.
For example, if your targets are steel balls you would like to strike them without the "piston's" magnetic field involved so the countersunk magnet allows a non ferrous fastener of your endpiece.
Coefficients of restitution should be measured lest you get a surprise. the targets are returned to position slowly, you have the entire cycle time of the "piston" to do it. The mass of the 2 targets combined should be equivalent to the mass of the "piston".
Driving the H bridge can be done with a Leonardo (Arduino) or 555 timers and some gateing. I recommend learning the Arduino. Grade school kids do it so it isn't that difficult.

 

[Kirk McLoren]

everyone failed the test. What I described was a voice coil transducer or actuator and it has obvious limits to travel. Play with 2 bar magnets until you understand why.
What a bunch of wannabees who know no physics. At least one of you should have spotted it. Hopeless.
The rest I told you is true. and you can use a voice coil within its range of motion limitations.
L8r

 

[Gov Kodos]

Since it's so basic, put the schematics and components all up for all to see. You said this was all public domain to keep it out of the hands of the greedy so there should be no issue with coughing up the details.

 

[sojourner]

I think the only test everyone failed was being gullible.

 

[{ Emilia }]

everyone failed the test.

This is no test.

What a bunch of wannabees who know no physics. At least one of you should have spotted it. Hopeless.

You can criticize the content of people's posts all you want but you cannot insult people here. You're new so I'm giving you one last relatively friendly warning.
In the meantime I'll sharpen my claws.