History of perpetual motion machines

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The history of perpetual motion machines dates as far back as the 13th century, and probably further. Perpetual motion machines (Latin perpetuum mobile) are a class of hypothetical machines which produce useful energy "from nowhere" - that is, without requiring additional energy input.

Overview

For millennia it was not clear whether such devices were possible, but the development of modern thermodynamics has led virtually all engineers and scientists to agree that they are impossible. In spite of this, thousands of people have attempted to construct the holy grail of energy production.

Some are developed with elaborate machines in the style of Rube Goldberg or Heath Robinson. Some designs may appear to work on paper at first glance, but have various flaws or obfuscated external power sources that render them useless in practice; others remain untested.

Proponents of perpetual motion machines often use other terms to describe their inventions, including "free energy" and "over unity" machines.

Patents

This sort of "invention" has become common enough that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has made an official policy of refusing to grant patents for perpetual motion machines without a working model.

The USPTO granted a few patents for motors that are claimed to run without net energy input. These patents were issued because it was not obvious from the patent that a perpetual motion machine was being claimed. These are:

Timeline

Pre-1800s

1800s

  • In 1812, Charles Redheffer, in Philadelphia, claimed to have developed a "generator" that could power other machines. Redheffer made money on his machine and tried to restrict scientific evaluation of the device. Upon investigation, it was deducted that the power was being routed to the "generator" from the other connected machine. Afterwards, he continued to generate income on similar schemes. Robert Fulton exposed Redheffer's schemes during an exposition of the device in New York City (1813). Many paid a dollar each to see the Redheffer device. Removing some concealing wooden strips, Fulton found a cat-gut belt drive. This went through a wall to an attic. In the attic, a man was turning a crank to power the device.[17] [18] [19]
  • In 1827, Sir William Congreve, the English inventor and rocket pioneer, tried a machine running on capillary action (others also were unsuccessful in these types of attempts). He used capillary action of fluids that would disobey the law of never rising above their own level, so to produce a continual ascent and overflow. The device had an inclined plane over pulleys. At the top and bottom, there travels an endless band of sponge, abed, and, over this, again an endless band of heavy weights jointed together. The whole stands over the surface of still water. Congreve believed his system would go on, supposedly, continually. [20] [21] [22]
  • In 1866, Henry Prince (a Britisher) described the first partially submerged perpetual motion machine.
  • In 1868, a Austrian, Alois Drasch, received a US patent for a machine that possessed a "thrust key-type gearing" of a rotary engine. The vehicle driver could tilt a trough depending upon need. A heavy ball rolled in a cylindrical trough downward, and, with continuous adjustment of the device's levers and power output, Drasch believed that it would be possible to power a vehicle. The invention did not become generally accepted. [23]
  • In 1870, E. P. Willis of New Haven, Connecticut made money off a "proprietary" perpetual motion machine. A story of the overly complicated device with a hidden source of energy appears in Scientific America article "The Greatest Discovery Ever Yet Made". Investigation into the device eventually found a source of power that drove the machine [24]
  • John Ernst Worrell Keely invented, reportedly, a induction resonance motion motor. He is supposedly to have used etheric 'technology'. In 1872, Keely announced that he discovered a principle for power production based on the vibrations of tuning forks. Scientists investigated his machine which appeared to run on water, though Keely endeavored to avoid this. Shortly after 1872, venture capitalists accused Keely of fraud (they lost nearly five million dollars). Keely's machine, it was discovered after his death, was based on hidden air pressure tubes.
  • In 1881, John Gamgee developed a liquid ammonia machine which could operate at the freezing point from vaporation by radiant heat. The resultant expansion would drive a piston. The vapor does not condense to liquid to start the cycle over again, though (thus making the system inoperable). The Navy approved of the device and showed it to President James Garfield.
  • In 1899, J. M. Aldrich was arrested for getting investors for his free energy machine. Aldrich was never convicted. Reportedly, he continued to run his scheme. Ultimately, an interested investor, upon inspection of the device, found a hidden spring.
  • Mark Anthony Zimara had a huge air powered machine (basically another attempt at a self blowing windmill). Zimara was an Italian philosopher, physician, astrologer, and alchemist.[25] His device is described in Tallmadge G. Kasten's "The Perpetual Motion Machine of Mark Antony Zimara".
  • The American, Horace Wickmam, received a patent regarding a machine with many rotating balls.
  • A Scottish shoemaker, known as Spence, designed a magnetic based machine which later was discredited.

1900 to 1950

1951 to 1980

1981 to 1999

2000s

  • In January, 2000, Doug Konzen of Seattle says he has an overunity motor that anyone can see.
  • In 2000, Steve Elswick thought Kipper Motor was overunity. But David Sligar who paid $175 for plans could not get it working.
  • In 2001, Ludwig Brits and Victor Christie claim the Lutec free electricity over unity motor/generator will soon be in Australia. As of 7/13/01, they have not responded to numerous local requests for validation.
  • In 2002, Jasker, an Irish company, has claimed to have free electricity. (Some have said it is just a joke.)
  • Gurbakhsh Singh Mann of India claims to have invented a gravity and buoyancy perpetual motion machines.
  • Michael J. Marshall in Las Vegas has a device called QSFG which stands for quick start fuelless generator he says 64 nations have asked him to build factories. They claim to have been offered billions for the technology. According to news reports, he was released from the slammer in 1998, after serving time for fraud and grand theft auto - he's failed to pay employees.
  • In 2001, Carl Tilley and Robert Kibbey in Tennessee have claimed an over unity device. Their demonstration failed in 9/02 and as of 11/02, they have been evading proper demonstations.
  • Perendev promised to make some kind of free energy. A Norwegian person claims to have been cheated out of $6000 by them.
  • In 2002, the GWE (Genesis World Energy) group claimed to have 400 people who developed some device that sounds like it separates water into H2 and O2 using less energy than mainstream science says is possible. As of 2003, they have evaded independent confirmation.
  • In February, 2003, Steven Greer announces he had discovered some real sources of free energy which he promised to make sure get proven to the general public.
  • In 2003, Bill Muller, of Canada, claims to have some kind of OU device. Independent tests found it under unity.
  • In 2003, the Greek company, Energie, promised a homopolar magnet (De Palma design) FE design by June of 2003. They actively seek investors.

References

Further reading

  • Ord-Hume, Arthur W. J. G., "Perpetual Motion: The History of an Obsession". New York, St. Martin's Press. 1977. ISBN 0-312-60131-X
  • Angrist, Stanley W., "Perpetual Motion Machines". Scientific American. January, 1968.
  • "Directions for constructing a Perpetual Motion Machine without the Use of Water or a Weight".