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We
define a Gravity Wheel as a mechanism that has a
center of rotation and will not function without
gravity.
We
categorize Gravity Wheels as 'primary' and
'secondary'
Primary
Gravity Wheels produce mechanical energy using
only gravity as an energy input.
Secondary
Gravity Wheels produce mechanical energy using a
variety of energy inputs and will only operate
in a gravity 'field'.
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Extracting
energy from gravity has been a long time dream
of humankind. We can calculate very precisely
the effects that gravity has on mass and there
are many theories but (as far as I know) no one
actually knows what gravity is.
So finding a
method to use gravity to turn the wheels of our
civilization has largely been using 'trial and
error' methodology. Hundreds (perhaps thousands)
of methods have been tried to tap into the
energy potential of gravity.
One of the
methods most often tried is the Gravity
Wheel.
The general idea
is to make the wheel 'heavier' on one side. The
usual method is to try techniques that move the
'center of gravity' horizontally from the
'center of rotation'. This is supposed to
produce a 'torque' that turns the wheel, even
though the weight is identical on both sides of
the wheel.
The ideal would
be to have a mechanism that keeps the center of
gravity off center of rotation by using only the
energy derived from gravity; adding no other
external energy input.
At this time,
I
do not know how
to make a primary Gravity Wheel work. I am
researching and experimenting to see if I can
find a workable technique. There are 'stories'
of primary Gravity
Wheels that did
work.
Secondary
Gravity Wheels have been used for centuries and
are being used now. One common example is the
water wheel and it's cousin, the water turbine.
These wheels turn by being inserted into water
that is flowing due to gravity. The water rose
to a height using an external energy source like
the sun's heat. This type of energy resource is
well understood and not covered on this
website.
Until we can
perfect a primary Gravity Wheel, the secondary
wheels seem to offer our most practical hope in
our search for using gravity as an alternative
power source. Unfortunately, most 'natural
hydro' energy potentials are currently developed
and do not offer a significant potential to
solve our future energy needs.
Another example
of secondary Gravity Wheel is the
'Minto
Wheel',
which uses a heat input to move liquid from one
side of the wheel to the other.
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