Nikola Tesla writes about "Perpetuum Mobile"

[Paul T]

"It is possible, and even probable, that there will be, in time, other resources of energy opened up, of which we have no knowledge now. We may even find ways of applying forces such as magnetism or gravity for driving machinery without using any other means. Such realizations, though highly improbable, are not impossible. An example will best convey an idea of what we can hope to attain and what we can never attain. Imagine a disk of some homogeneous material turned perfectly true and arranged to turn in frictionless bearings on a horizontal shaft above the ground. This disk, being under the above conditions perfectly balanced, would rest in any position. Now, it is possible that we may learn how to make such a disk rotate continuously and perform work by the force of gravity without any further effort on our part; but it is perfectly impossible for the disk to turn and to do work without any force from the outside. If it could do so, it would be what is designated scientifically as a "perpetuum mobile," a machine creating its own motive power. To make the disk rotate by the force of gravity we have only to invent a screen against this force. By such a screen we could prevent this force from acting on one half of the disk, and the rotation of the latter would follow. At least, we cannot deny such a possibility until we know exactly the nature of the force of gravity. Suppose that this force were due to a movement comparable to that of a stream of air passing from above toward the center of the earth. The effect of such a stream upon both halves of the disk would be equal, and the latter would not rotate ordinarily; but if one half should be guarded by a plate arresting the movement, then it would turn."

Nikola Tesla - The Problem With Increasing Human Energy


I found this recently and thought I would share it.

The next thing I found out is that permanent magnetic bearings were invented in 1954 and also magnetic gears in 1901.

Where are these inventions now and who uses them?

It appears you cannot buy a permanent magnetic bearing off the shelf but they are being used in industry!

Hmmmm.......

[Georg Künstler]

Hello Paul,

have a look to
http://www.teslasociety.ch/TES_DOKU/Man ... ss.doc.pdf

or
https://de.wikiquote.org/wiki/Diskussion:Nikola_Tesla

The Bessler wheel is a connection to the `Räderwerk der Natur'.

maybe you will find an equivalent link in english.

Ehe viele Generationen vergehen, wird unsere Maschinerie durch Energie angetrieben werden, die an jedem Punkt im Universum erhältlich ist – es ist nur eine Frage der Zeit, wann der Mensch seine Maschinerie erfolgreich an das Räderwerk der Natur selbst angeschlossen haben wird.

[rlortie]

Magnetic bearings may have been invented in 1954, I did not become aware and build my own until 1958.

Since then I have used them in magnetically suspended test beds, anemometers, and desk top novelties. They can be used for either thrust or guide or a combination of both.

Search for sources of shops and stores that install upgrade speaker systems, collect the ones they would normally discard. The doughnut ceramic magnets found on these speakers makes a good source for permanent magnets.

You can machine them using carbide tooling, although I do not recommend doing it inside a machine shop. Not unless you want all your stationary and hand tools to become magnetized with chaff.

You can buy (at excessive expense) off the shelf magnetic bearings if you know where to look, but cost effective to build your own for whatever design you require.

Ralph