--- Robin Your analysis of the operation of the diode seems accurate.
The addition of the water mist, and its net energy balance, is a key point, however which no one can forecast accurately at this point. This possibility of it being gainful deserves more attention in a perfect-world (if we had a national commitment to get-off of fossil fuels) - i.e. to ascertain whether or not is ultimately advantageous to use added water in a compressed-air motor situation. If the Graneau conclusion of a COP of ~2 in water-arcs is correct, whether it comes from hydrinos or whatever, then that finding makes the applicability of this technology as an add-on to the air-motor most interesting - and the curious thing is that a few of the photos of the Negre engine do show what looks like spark plugs. The blue cabling at the top of this image looks too flimsy to be for 300 bar air: http://www.dhadm.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/windowslivewriterworldsfirstairpoweredcarzeroemissionsbyn-14f6fair-car-engine-06074.jpg BTW there are 4 cylinders but they operate in two pairs and two stages, so only two spark plugs (to the small pair of cylinders) would be needed, if they are used at all. Spark-plugs are absent from the patent and most other commentary, so we can assume that Negre has missed this detail as a possible advantage - if it is indeed advantageous.... Alternatively, it could mean that the engine does use some gasoline under normal high speed driving - which has been glossed over in most of the PR accounts. [SPIN] They want the motor to appear to the public as *air only* - and yes - it probably will operate on air only at low speed, but for use in Europe or the USA- they should probably just come out and admit that it needs a tiny amount of gasoline, but gets 250 miles to the gallon, or whatever it takes for the 25 kW output. As mentioned, no one knows for sure the most critical details of the Negre air-motor, and the apparent need for some gasoline appears in the older reports but not the more recent ones. Plus, intensity of visual arcing (from the video) with or without added water mist - means nothing scientifically - but gives the impression of far more energy; which could be illusory. Jones
