Posted by Michael (199.60.107.1) on October 06, 2003 at 16:42:04:
>I think that is quite interesting, because if you turn the Cowlishaw-like wheel I'm working with 'inside-out' it would greatly resemble the Bessler wheel, but in order for this variant to work there must be a nonrotating part coaxial to the wheel that is rotating about it, and the best way I've figured of doing that is hanging a large weight from this central nonrotating part to keep a particular side pointing down. That is pretty much a pendulum that doesn't swing. Encouraging...Anyway I guess I should add that I simplified the design of a new variant and am part done with the math on it. I figured I should add that here because it's not enough of an update to make a thread for it alone.
Jon...,
There are a few ways to keep a part non rotating without using a pendulum. Grim has hinted at a way, I know this because I also built the same thing back in april. There is also another way with gears. From what I've read of your posts it feels like you may be working towards something similar to what I was working on, but found my idea is actually garbage. If I can help you out to avoid you wasting your time I will. I may end up sending Scott a photo of the somewhat completed machine. By the way how is your idea similar to the colishaw? From what I can see of his idea it's a major energy waster, simply because of the friction imposed on the traveling sphere by the rail it rides, and the rails change in shape.
Regards,
Mike