Jed,
A toy is possible and likely to be a product in about a year. This will
utilize ferromagnetic material which is quite marginal when compared with
Ultraconductors.
Size does not appear to be a factor. Quite small motors have been used in
experiments.
That is what makes this so interesting a technology.
Mark
From: Jed Rothwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: vortex-l@eskimo.com
To: vortex-L@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: A low cost alternative to the space elevator
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 14:31:36 -0500
Mark Goldes wrote:
Geomagnetic propulsion is based on the use of the earth's magnetic field
as a force field analogous to the stator of an electric motor.
I understand that. You might compare it to a linear motor railroad.
In effect, it is as through the small artificial field source expands
itself into a huge magnetic balloon, because of the low density of the
earth's magnetic field.
Instead of using a physical plate you are making a huge virtual magnetic
plate. How huge? It would have to hundreds of square kilometers, wouldn't
it? How much energy does it take to make such a gigantic field?
Cohering the seemingly insignificant forces that act upon every point on
the surface of the balloon, yields a considerable resultant force.
The forces that act on the balloon appear to be orders of magnitude
stronger than those you propose to harness. Helium balloons can be very
small, and I have made functional toy hot air balloons around 2 m tall, out
of paper. What is the smallest magnetic field you can harness to launch a
toy lifter of this design? You (or the inventor) would have a great deal
more credibility if you can demonstrate the principle in a toy.
- Jed
