Jim Mac's Figuera Thread

[Jim Mac]

Ok so bronze wool SUCKS..  It makes good connection, but breaks down way too quickly. Steel wool also sucks.  So back to sanding these bars..

It's a tedious process because a small sliver of sandpaper wears down to nothing in under a minute. I resorted to tearing apart Dremel sanding wheels and using that sandpaper, as it holds up much longer than sheet paper.

Hopefully I can eventually get it flat to maintain contact

[Jim Mac]

Well I never got that last commutator working without jumping..  So with renewed interest, I am going to rebuild my old working commutator.  Hopefully get it going again..

In the past, I ran the Figuera as a totally closed circuit.  I had no battery or power supply directly connected in the circuit, but instead I was inducing current into the closed loop.  I want to revisit that plus a few other configurations.

I understand what I am about to toy with is not as most understand Figuera's patent, but until I see a working model running itself, I plan to keep experimenting with different ideas.

[Lasco]

well done Jim

I'm closely following your idea.

you are a motion of positive thinking for all of us.

thank you
Lasco

[Jim Mac]

well done Jim

I'm closely following your idea.

you are a motion of positive thinking for all of us.

thank you
Lasco

Thanks Lasco, I am watching your build also with interest.

I asked you in your thread about the resistor values and configurations and still do not understand how you have them arranged.

I have built figuera prototypes at least a dozen times with 3 different commutators, and many electronic versions.  Here is a small selection of the 100's of different waves I have produced.

   

The only way I could get the waves symmetrical (like your image) was when my resistor rig was connected in a circle and I used all 16 contacts (not connecting any together). Only them was both sides of the resistor rig outputting identical symmetrical waves.

I understand the commutator is important, but the resistor array also dictates how the dynamics of the waves will be. 

Anyway, my commutator re-build is coming along nicely.  Had to print a few replacement parts, hopefully I will get some time later tonight to work on it.

[Jim Mac]

I was able to complete the commutator and perform a test to ensure the brush is maintaining a contact the entire time.  The big give-away is SPARKS..   If you have any arcing and sparking, it is NOT good.  

Other than that, you need a scope so ensure the output is not dropping between contacts.  This is CRUCIAL...  

Now this build is pretty good, except long usage will generate heat in the brush, which will eventually take it's toll on the PLA brush holders.  It will do just fine for testing and short runs.  But I must watch the heat under operation.  This brush holder will have to be replaced if a "Final Build" ever takes place.

Also you will see, there is no problem using decent RPM.  So I am happy enough to continue..

Next to decide on the resistor rig design.

[Lasco]

Hi Jim 

I like your approach to testing and observing the functionality of the commutator function. As you have stated in your video commutator is the most important part of Figuera design and if it is not performing - all results are ruined

in my previous test, I used a 1-ohm resistor between commutator sections as per Figuera drawing, my coil had 6 ohms and at the speed  of 3000 rpm it did not perform very well concerning induction into the secondary coil 

my coil "N-S" is winded with 1.6mm wire and has 2000 turns in 500 turns lots, when I was testing inductance into the secondary at 50hz it did induce 3 V on 400 turns coil of 0.6 mm magnet wire. 
when I opted for 500 turns only on primary "N-S" and induced voltage in "Y" coil improved to 9.76V  
this perhaps indicates that I need to increase the primary wire diameter. I will wind a new coil to check on this.

My resistance is easy to change, I have made a jig with seven resistors on it and is pluggable 
I have prepared 7 x 0.3 ohm and 7 x 0.5 ohm sets. dilemma with resistance is that each new primary coil will need its resistance array to satisfy induction.
I believe that changing - the pulsing of the magnetic field doesn't need to be  50Vpp but it needs to have a good magnetic field, perhaps much less Vpp with good magnetism.
This is again depending on experimentation - trial and error
I will add some pictures for clarity

In this picture you see untidy primary waves but as you see secondary doesn’t have any problems with it 
   
Resistance I have used for this picture was 7x 1 ohm I believe it is not the best resistance 
   

Resistance need to be adjusted to the level of best induced “Y” coil

Then it is wishes circle 
New primary coil with finding best resistors to get gains in secondary 
If not satisfactory then start again

   

This is the coil that have 4 x 500 turns of 1.6 mm wire 
Best performing only on 500 turns

[Jim Mac]

Ok so I worked the other side of the commutator till it looks decent.  This image is with 2 resistors, 8 contacts on each side tied together.

Not 100% perfect, but it looks very good.

   

So tonight I will start my resistor rig.  This part sucks because the resistor values need to change depending on the coils and configuration used.  

I plan to start with the circular rig, using all 16 contacts individually.  I choose that for now because I know the equation to make 2 near perfect symmetrical waves with that method, on either side.  And it can also be used for virtual rotation.

I will update once I get my plan together with my numbers

[Jim Mac]

I will be uploading a video of the basic rig working either later tonight or tomorrow night.  After careful considerations, I changed my mind and am starting with a standard Figuera resistor rig.  But I wanted to explain the "Loop in a Loop"  Concept.

Here is a simplified view of the Figuera Setup with parts removed.  Just maintaining the loops.

   

Notice the main circuit that feeds the resistor is it's own separate loop, and the coils and resistor also are within their own loop.

This makes it possible for the reciprocal induction to complete it's path without travelling through the primary loop.

Now as you probably see, the coil loop has to flow through the resistor to complete.  This is not good.  And this is the crux of my angles I will be exploring. I believe there may be a way to enhance current flowing through the coil loop while bypassing the resistor within that loop.   

Anyway, I will update more soon

[Lasco]

Hi JIM
I have calmed down a bit. As you mentioned, many ideas have proven not to work, sending me back to the drawing board.

How did you progress with your build?

[Jim Mac]

Hi JIM
I have calmed down a bit. As you mentioned, many ideas have proven not to work, sending me back to the drawing board.

How did you progress with your build?

Hey Lasco-  The build is on hold.  I do have 2 operation principles in mind- but at the moment I am wrapped up in building something much simpler which I think I can get to self-run. 

I'll probably come back to this Figuera, but first I MUST follow this new line of thinking I am working on.