wu :: forums - Print Page


    
      
        wu :: forums
        (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> Believe It Or Not... Free Energy!?
        
(Message started by: Sir Col on Apr 14^th, 2005, 1:27pm)

Title: Believe It Or Not... Free Energy!?
Post by Sir Col on Apr 14^th, 2005, 1:27pm

I wonder how many clicked on this link thinking that they were about to read reports about a new breakthrough that would unlock the secrets of over-unity? Maybe you will? ::)

Anyway, I thought it would be fun for us to investigate and discuss some of the more "credible" ideas that have been offered over the years.

So how about starting with Minto's Wheel? And rather than re-invent the wheel here are a couple of links to get you started:

Wally Minto's Wonder Wheel (http://www.keelynet.com/energy/minto.htm) (the diagram pretty much explains the theory)

Mother Earth News asks, "Is This The 'Breakthrough' Solar Engine We've All Been Looking For... ? (http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1976_March_April/Is_This_The__Breakthrough__Solar_Engine_We_ve_All_Been_Looking_For_)"

Title: Re: Believe It Or Not... Free Energy!?
Post by Icarus on Apr 14^th, 2005, 3:34pm

Interesting, but obviously somewhat overhyped by its supporters. Its been 29 years, and I haven't even heard of it before (despite a period of several years in the 80s when I followed these sorts of things). Somehow, the revolution failed to take place...

Title: Re: Believe It Or Not... Free Energy!?
Post by Sir Col on Apr 14^th, 2005, 4:31pm

Apparently the success of this system depends on a sufficiently marked temperature differential between the top of the system (where condensation takes place) and the bottom of the system (where boiling takes place), otherwise condensation takes place in the connecting pipes and reduces the likelihood of gravity assisted rotation.

Although the system does work, no one has managed to achieve anything better than one rotation per minute. If it is to be compared to any other type of system, this output places it among the least efficient type of closed solar/steam turbine systems which generally produce a much better output.