William F. Skinner - 1939 Gravity Power

[homenergy1]

My build

My abilities are limited. My access to materials is limited. My funds are limited. But I am trying to build it as much as possible as Skinner built the one in the 1939 video. My head space will require the input shafts to be placed down the right side of the main frame. And I am only building one of the four rotating shafts. Contrary to the pdf published there are great sideways forces as you get things rotating. So my frame is locked in place by the nearby cement structures of my terrace work space.
The big problem is the extreme forces created by the weights and the structures connecting them.
I calculate the small shaft connecting the gimbal and the transition plate will have 420 lbs. Pressing upward on it. Small wonder that the input shafts are 3 to 4 feet long and the pivot point is only 3 1/2 inches from the transition plate.
Also the weights are in the range of 120 lbs. lower and 53 lbs. upper.
My gimbal assembly might not be robust enough for the full weight. For now testing and adjusting with about 1/3 the full weight. Even at this the pressure to lift the upper weight is extreme.
Hmm I am accessing this site via cell phone and can't seem to upload my pictures. I will upliad a video to youtube and then insert the link here.

[dom44]

if anyone is interested i have cleaned up this image and removed the watermark as best i can.

imgur: the simple image sharer

[Burnit0017]

Hi, just as a side note. Basically what I observed for my configuration to work will need about 100 pounds per arm, a 1 to 6 gearbox, a PMA with a high output at a low RPM,a MPPT circuit at the PMA output, and a really long center shaft; ten foot long or greater. After all that the output to accept will probably be about 10 amps at 12 volts, minus what it takes to operate the small motor at the input. I hope this helps and corrections are welcome.

[Burnit0017]

Woodworking for engineers

Zenbot CNC Routers

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/hdpe_cutting_boards/346

Hi, above links is of what I use to fabricate the gears. The video shows my latest results. The noise in the video is a result of a misaligned gear, sorry.

QGD driving PMA - YouTube

The frame was made to small. I did a lot of manual testing with PMA and MPPT circuit. From what I am observing I see no reason to continue with this configuration. Best of luck to everyone working on a similar project. I look forward toward your results.

I am currently working on a different configuration and I will post results when available. Cheers

[marxist]

cogs

Hi Burnit0017

I am quoting a sentence of yours from one of your posts at Starting gravity wheel project, GRAM, describing the principle of operation of your atempted replication of the Skinner device :

...the weights always fall toward the center of gravity but they never reach it because [in the meantime] a small motor will always be turning the center shaft [thus moving the center of gravity further on a circular path] (added by me).

A question or really three question:
The cogwheels you use, how do you fabricate them (laser cut ?) and what material are they made of and what program do you use to initially design (draw) them?
Thanks.

[Burnit0017]

QGDversion3 - YouTube

video update: I may have to increase the length of the center shaft for more mechanical advantage.

[Burnit0017]

Hi Burnit0017
great to see, that you did not give up on the project. And also great that you continue to publish your findings, which to me seem very interesting and intriguing.

Seeing your latest video
QGDversion2 - YouTube
I was pondering how you will power your alternator with this setup and I think ideally the alternator should be used as one of the two weights - fullfilling two functions: namely acting as a weight and producing electrical power.
It would be great if you had two alternators to use them in place of the two black weights.
Nevertheless as long as you only have one, you may be able to take out one of the weights and replace it with the alternator.
So the alternator would have to be fixed excentrically, in the same way as you mounted each of the two black weights.

Hi, interesting idea but it seems to be too complex for this attempt. Thanks for posting.

[Burnit0017]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_evSyxl6Z4

Here is what I have so far,Tell me what you think.
Genegene
Modify message

Hi, I like it. it looks like it will be easy to analyze. If you place your hand on the output pulley; in a safe manner; do you get the impression that it will drive the PMA? I look forward to your results.

When I was rebuilding my project I found a bushing on one of the bearings that may of been acting as a brake when I added more weights.

Thanks for posting.

[Genegene]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_evSyxl6Z4

Here is what I have so far,Tell me what you think.
Genegene
Modify message

[marxist]

mounting of alternator

Hi Burnit0017
great to see, that you did not give up on the project. And also great that you continue to publish your findings, which to me seem very interesting and intriguing.

Seeing your latest video
QGDversion2 - YouTube
I was pondering how you will power your alternator with this setup and I think ideally the alternator should be used as one of the two weights - fullfilling two functions: namely acting as a weight and producing electrical power.
It would be great if you had two alternators to use them in place of the two black weights.
Nevertheless as long as you only have one, you may be able to take out one of the weights and replace it with the alternator.
So the alternator would have to be fixed excentrically, in the same way as you mounted each of the two black weights.

[Burnit0017]

Hi, thanks for the info. I not sure if I will have better results but it does start real easy.
There is no question about it, the PMA will be powered completely from the falling weights.

I think I found a way to connect the PMA. I will have to fabricate a few long roller bearings. It should take a few days. Good or bad, I will post results when available. Cheers.

[Aaron]

Jim Murray

QGDversion2 - YouTube

No load, manual test. Works really well. Proceeding to attach PMA.

Starting to remind me of a vertical shaft version of Jim Murray's machine here: Mechanical Amplifier by Jim Murray - YouTube

[Burnit0017]

QGDversion2 - YouTube

No load, manual test. Works really well. Proceeding to attach PMA.

[Burnit0017]

possible Solution to failed simple Skinner configuration - YouTube

Hi, I had poor results with all the Skinner Demo configurations I tried. I may have found a solution. It is similar but the center shaft has to remain stationary. The other problem is how to connect a PMA???? Suggestions welcome.

[Burnit0017]

Hi, I think the problems is the gearbox and PMA is too much load for the mechanical advantage. I can try to change the gearbox to a 1 to 3 ratio. That will reduce the load of the no load condition. It show take a few days. I will post results when available.

Thanks for info.

I can only give this one more change because I need the parts for another project. Sorry.
We will see how it goes. Thanks again.