07 |EVALUATION OF NEWMAN'S ENERGY MACHINE

Introduction

An electric motor working with 110% efficiency!! Could it really exist? This question will be answered in the following pages.
Joseph W. Newman from Lucedale (Mississippi, U.S.A.) claims that he has achieved this incredible result with a machine he constructed. Within the magnetic field of a huge solenoid coil, a strong heavy permanent magnet was rotating. The direction of the field was changed twice during each revolution with the help of a commutator system.
Mr. Newman applied for a patent, and claimed that the output power of his machine was greater than the electric input. The U.S. patent office rejected his application on the grounds that it violates the first law of thermodynamics (often called the Law of Energy Conservation).
Disappointed, Newman finally published a book "The Energy Machine of Joseph Newman".
I found his book fascinating to read even if I did not agree with several of Mr. Newman's ideas. I was especially intrigued by the performance analysis of this device (Page 24 of the book), made by Dr. Roger Hastings (principal physicist of Sperry Univac Corporation and former professor of Physics at the North Dakota State University). He seems to be a very competent and open-minded scientist, who tries to predict the motor's performance with the help of conventional mathematical formulae (formulae based strictly on the Law of Energy Conservation). He concludes as follows. "The predicted input power is in agreement with the measured input. The output power (in excess of input) is a non-conventional result. Introduction of a new theory will be required to mathematically describe the result".
I completely share Dr. Hastings's opinion. It is obvious that, for a second time in history, the Law of Energy Conservation is challenged. (The first challenge was the discovery of Radium.)
With a very simple experiment, we can demonstrate that the Law of Energy Conservation can easily be challenged. A strong permanent magnet bar is held in a vertical position, as shown in Figure 07-01, above a little piece of magnet (or a piece of iron). If we start to decrease the gap , then we reach a point at which the little magnet instantaneously jumps in the vertical direction and sticks to the larger magnet. We have here a machine which, for a fraction of a second, works with an infinitely high efficiency. For example, if the mass of the little magnet is 0.001 kilogramme and it suddenly rises 0.01 metre, then a work (or energy) of about 0.000098 joule is created without any input. Furthermore, there is no change in the molecular structure of the magnet (no chemical reaction) and no destruction or change in the atomic structure (no fission or fusion). It is absolutely obvious that the Law of Energy Conservation does not apply if we try to explain this experiment.
Newman's device allows those magnetic forces to work as much as possible. Of course, he encounters some difficulties. However, to categorically refute the value of this machine on the sole grounds that it violates the Law of Energy Conservation is wrong and unfair. In my opinion, the most urgent challenge for science is to introduce the new theories which will adequately explain the non-conventional and surprising observations.

The Magnetic Flux Lines

First of all, I will attempt to introduce the notion of the magnetic flux lines with the help of my Living Atom Theory. The strange output energy of our previous experiment can be explained only with the help of this theory.
The magnetic flux line (sometimes called magnetic induction line) is still a mysterious and controversial entity in the electromagnetic chapter of modern Physics. Some textbooks introduce it as an imaginary line (like the line of force) which helps us to understand some phenomena.
Several physicists still prefer to deal with magnetic poles, although it is becoming increasingly evident that magnetic poles do not exist. The flux lines which I will describe are slightly different.
They are physically real existing structures, sometimes acting like stretched elastic strings. Because of their tendency to shorten, they are able to create forces between different bodies. In certain conditions, those forces are doing work. In other words, they are creating energy!
The flux lines are composed of invisible subatomic units, which have living characteristics. This means that they are able to individually create movements and accelerations (which automatically means forces). Furthermore, they are clever enough to choose the most favourable position in order to assure their best vital equilibrium. Those subatomic entities have not yet been introduced by modern Physics. This task will remain for future scientists.
In Figure 07-02, I try to represent the approximate flux line picture of our previous example. With the short arrow system (), we can represent the characteristics of those subatomic units. They are tiny little living gyroscopes, and they can individually control the direction of their rotating axes. (For more complete details, see "Les Atomes Vivants" by Szekely, Etienne.)
If the position of the arrows is or , then the pattern is stable. This explains why the flux lines are forming closed circuits. On the other hand, the position or is unstable, and the living gyroscopes start their efforts to find more stable positions. The direction of the arrows determines the polarity of the magnet. (Poles do not exist.)
In the gap between the two magnets of Figure 07-02, we find the unstable pattern . If the gap is short enough, then the whole picture of the flux lines changes, as shown in Figure 07-03.
Then, we have stretched elastic strings which tend to shorten, and force acts on the bodies of the magnets. Of course, this force, which is supported by the structure of the flux lines, acts according to Newton's third law of motion (action and reaction). If the force is stronger than the weight of the little magnet, then a work is done (energy is created), and the input energy is furnished by the work done by the subatomic living gyroscopes.
It is interesting to note that this example does not violate the Law of Energy Conservation, but supports and quasi introduces the Living Atom Theory.
Our experiment also teaches us that, while doing work, the magnetic flux lines continuously change their patterns. The velocity at which the gyroscope axes change their positions is phenomenal.
The subatomic units of the flux lines are equally present inside the material or in the air or even in vacuum. Empty space or vacuum is not nothing, but it is completely filled with different kinds of living atoms and subatomic units. The Living Atom Theory clearly and logically explains this fact.
If a flux line traverses the structure of a ferromagnetic material, then a strange and exceptional phenomenon occurs. The flux line can act like a catalyser, and a huge quantity of additional flux lines are created. If the inductor (catalyser) stops to act, then some of those additional flux lines disappear and some remain, depending on the softness or hardness of the ferromagnetic material.
Although the phenomenon of ferromagnetism was studied and exploited in a vast number of experiments and measurements, the modern theory is still uncertain. Only the Living Atom Theory can clearly explain this phenomenon.
With the help of the living magnetic flux lines, we can write the correct formula which calculates the efficiency of an electric motor.
Efficiency () = ((Work of the flux lines - Losses) / (Input power's work) x 100) %
In conventional electric motors, the value of is always less than 100%. This is because the work of the flux lines is very limited, and not because they have to obey the Law of Energy Conservation.
In the armature and the air gap of a conventional electric motor, the variation of the flux is very moderate. By contrast, the flux in Newman's machine varies considerably during each revolution and, as I stated before, it is this variation which indicates the value of the work done by the magnetic flux lines.
Figure 07-04 illustrates the pattern of the flux lines in three different positions. (The permanent magnet rotates clockwise.)
In Position b, the magnetic field of the solenoid collapses and changes its direction with the help of the commutator . Position c shows the flux line pattern after its direction is changed.
For the Newman's machine, the efficiency formula should slightly be modified to
Efficiency () = ((Work of the flux lines + Surplus energy created by the collapse - Losses) / (Input power's work) x 100) %
This energy can approximately be evaluated by the formula
_a x ( x ( / ))² (for each revolution)
where _a is the capacity value of the system, is the number of turns of the coil, and
( / )
is the instantaneous change in flux value. One part of this energy should be returned to the system by the battery, but this is done in Position c, where the flux value is the least, while the collapse is done when the flux is at its maximum value. The increase of the flux value is realised by the work of the flux lines, and not by the input current. With a huge volume of copper wire solenoid, the capacity value and the collapsing power is considerable. (It seems that Mr. Newman used it to light up a fluorescent tube.)
The continuously changing flux and the collapse transform the solenoid current into an intricate electromagnetic vibration. It is difficult to correctly measure the input power. Sometimes, an oscilloscope type wattmeter was used in order to record the instantaneous tension and intensity values. (Tektronix Oscilloscope model 2215, Page 43 of Newman's book.)
The scientific questions arising from Newman's experiments are very significant. With the Living Atom Theory and the concept of living flux lines, it is conceivable that a 110% efficient electromagnetic device could be achieved.

My Own Experiments and Measurements

My curiosity prompted me to make my own experiments and measurements in order to verify the claims made by Mr. Newman. To cut down on expenses, I made several modifications to the original device.
1. Unable to find a huge and strong permanent magnet, I chose to replace it with a solenoid-governed electromagnet. This creates the same kind of flux line pattern as a permanent magnet. (Of course, I could disregard the current used by the solenoid when calculating the energy balance.)
2. I also used a soft ferromagnetic core to increase the number of flux lines without the need of a huge coil. In this manner, I was able to rotate the magnetic rotor using a standard 12 volt automobile battery, as shown in Figure 07-05.
The rotor () of the device was about 0.7 metre long, its weight about 50 kilogramme. The solenoid () was made of 8000 turns of 18 gauge wire, and the steel core was made of 26 gauge transformer steel sheets, with a total cross section of about 0.1 x 0.1 metre². The commutator inverses the direction of the solenoid current in the position as shown.
I am convinced that the soft ferromagnetic core reinforces the work of the flux lines. It is interesting to consider the magnetising curve of a good quality transformer steel, as shown in Figure 07-06. It is important to keep the magnetic intensity value
( x ) /
in the shaded area, where we have a high permeability value and very low hysteresis losses. By braking the rotating shaft, we go from Position a to Position b. The solenoid current will slightly increase, but this is compensated by a stronger magnetic field. We can state that only the special characteristics of ferromagnetic materials (soft and hard) allow us to suggest that a 110% efficient electromagnetic device is possible.
When the magnet-rotor rotated, we found some amazing results. The battery seems to be rather charged than discharged!! The needle of a two-way ammeter oscillated around the neutral position, and when we measured the average current, we found it to have a negative value.
This amazing observation was similarly made by Mr. Newman, as well as the two scientists who evaluated the performance of his device (Dr. Roger Hastings and Michael Meatyard). They used a dual-trace oscilloscope to record the negative input power.
With the help of the Living Atom Theory and the notion of working magnetic flux lines, it is very simple to explain this unusual (non-conventional) behaviour. We just have to follow one end of the rotating magnet during its revolution, as shown in Figure 07-07. In Position 0, the static magnetic field collapses. The rotating magnet induces a flux line pattern in the stator, which is in the opposite direction, and which also induces a current in the solenoid charging the battery. This effect is even reinforced by the induced tension due to the collapsing field.
It is evident that in the period between Position 0 and Position 1, the rotating shaft is braked, but fortunately this energy is not completely lost. It charges the battery. Of course, we have a loss of some energy with the sparks on the commutator, but this loss can be reduced by using capacitors.
In Position 1, a new pattern of flux lines is established, as shown in Figure 07-08. Then, the flux lines start to do their useful work, for a relatively long period, until Position 2 is reached. After Position 2, we have an identical half-revolution.
The working flux lines provide us with three different things.
1. The necessary torque for the rotation.
2. The value of the flux is constantly increasing between Position 1 and Position 2. This means that the collapse occurs at the maximum flux value. The solenoid current works like an electromagnetic seesaw which gets a useful impulse during each "swinging" period (half-rotation).
3. The increasing flux induces a countertension in the solenoid which, between Position 1 and Position 2, keeps the solenoid current at a very low value. At the starting of the rotation, the current is about 0.2 ampere (due to the ohmic resistance of the coil). If the magnet rotates at about 100 rotations/minute, then the current (between Position 1 and Position 2) is about 0.02 ampere. We should notice that even with this little current, the magnetic intensity of the coil works in a favourable condition, as shown in Figure 07-06.
Thus, the main role of the battery is only to change the flux line pattern as fast as possible between Position 0 and Position 1.
The rotation is assured only if the work of the flux lines overcomes the braking effect between Position 0 and Position 1, plus the friction losses in the bearings. We can see how important it is to reach Position 1 as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, we can state that if a permanent magnet of such a dimension rotates in a solenoid-governed magnetic field, then such a device can easily reach the 100% efficiency. This rotation was observed by Mr. Newman and verified in my experiments.
The torque of the rotating shaft can be considered as a net surplus power. I tried to measure its exact value with the help of a Prony brake, and I found some interesting and surprising results. In spite of all kinds of adjustments and modifications, I never could obtain a surplus power value exceeding 0.2 Watt. With stronger braking, the rotation stopped.
However, I assume that this very low value could perhaps be slightly increased by using a better-quality transformer steel, and by improving the commutator system, which is the most delicate component of the device. This commutator system should be easily and precisely adjustable, just like the ignition system in an internal combustion engine.
At this point, I stopped all my experiments for the following reasons.
1. My interest is purely scientific, and my only goal was to get a better understanding of how the living flux lines work.
2. I do not seek to obtain huge energy sources for humankind. On the contrary, I am happy to know that Nature does not readily offer "free meals" for our energy-hungry technology. A huge source of free power would likely be used for destruction by human societies, as history proved it.
Meanwhile, it is possible that some researchers will in the future try to improve Newman's device. One interesting possibility would be make the stator of the machine a strong permanent magnet, and to change regularly the polarity of a solenoid-governed rotor. Such a scheme might become attractive with improved ferromagnetic materials, and if room-temperature superconductors were to become a reality. At this point, it is possible that Newman's machine will represent a very clean, safe, but still very moderate energy source.

Conclusion

Newman's machine has an enormous scientific value. It forces modern science to recognise that atoms and subatomic units are capable of doing work. However, the purpose of this work is not to furnish vast amount of power for humankind, but rather it is an effort to find new situations which better assure their vital equilibrium. This seems to be the most logical explanation of the Law of Energy Conservation.
The little exception provided by the ferromagnetic materials and copper coils does not violate the general law. It only obliges us to accept the Living Atom Theory.
I consider Mr. Newman, Dr. Hastings, Dr. Meatyard and all those who endorsed this device (Page 40 of the book) as pioneers of a radical scientific revolution, which will ultimately lead humankind to a better understanding of how Nature works.

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ISBN 0-929105-10-9
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