Claus W. Turtur (Fachbereich Elektrotechnik, University of Applied Sciences Braunschweig-Wolfenbuettel)

Published in physic.philica.com

Observation
ABSTRACT:
The theory of vacuum-mechanical energy conversion is subject of [1]. The concrete planning of a verification experiment is described here.

OBSERVATION BODY:
For the fundamentals in [1], a point charge is placed above a special rotor. In the geometry there, a torque onto the axis below 10^-7 Nm is generated. This does not surmount the friction of the bearings carrying the rotor. So the geometry was optimized by the following calculations: An extended field source was subdivided into elements of electric charge of which image-charges on the grounded rotor blades have been determined. The electric field of all charges and image-charges and the forces between them were calculated (see [2]). Finally the results were confirmed by ANSYS [3].

A disc as field source and a rotor of 60 cm diameter, supplied with voltage of U=10 kV, can create a torque of 4*10^-5Nm. This should surmount friction as the estimation shows: If the rotor has m=0.05kg, its force onto the bearing is G=mg=0.5N. A coefficient of friction of µ=0.2 and a typical toe-bearing (observed tip radius r<100µm) then cause a torque of friction of M=µ*G*r<10^-5 Nm.

Possibilities for further increase of the torque:
The torque follows the proportionalities M~U^2 (U=voltage) and M~R^2 (R=rotor-diameter), if the geometry is adapted.
Vacuum allows to enhance the voltage. Air has an electrical breaktrough of 10kV/cm, but vacuum has 5000kV/cm. => Enhancement possible up to M_vac=500^2*M_air=10Nm even with our small setup.

Experimental hints:
Experimental pre-tests indicate that inaccuracies of the symmetry critically influence the rotation.
A lightweight rotor with low moment of inertia enhances the angular acceleration and makes the measurement easier.

A technical drawing can be found at:
http://public.rz.fh-wolfenbuettel.de/%7Eturtur/physik/Conversion_of_vacuum_energy.pdf

Acknowledgement:
Thank to Dr. W. G. Kürten-Ihlenfeld at PTB for allowing me to use his ANSYS.

Observation circumstances
These are results of planning an experiment to convert vacuum-energy into mechanical energy, based on computer simulations and on pre-tests with a rotor in an electrical field.

References
1. Turtur, C.W. (2008). A motor driven by Electrostatic forces. PHILICA.COM, Article no.119
2. Becker, R. & Sauter, F. (1973). Theorie der Elektrizität. Teubner-Verlag, ISBN 3-519-23006-2
3. Swanson, J. (1970-2008) FEM-Program. ANSYS, Inc. Software Products, http://www.ansys.com

Information about this Observation
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This Observation was published on 31st March, 2008 at 12:11:26 and has been viewed 7029 times.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.

The full citation for this Observation is: Turtur, C. (2008). Conversion of vacuum-energy into mechanical energy: First approach to an experimental Verification. PHILICA.COM Observation number 43.