Several years ago, I was digging through recent history regarding Energy, Generators, and Batteries to try and better understand the development trajectories of these technologies when a curious device came into my perception:
The Dynamo Magnetic Field Generator.
This was a large piece of equipment. It was commonly used in Lighthouses as a source of electricity and had a fascinating history before it almost disappeared entirely from our world. Though not quite, virtually every home in America owns one of these devices in its modern form, and strangely enough – no one talks about it.
Curious?
Note: Nothing within this document should be construed as advocacy for “Free Energy” devices or technologies.
The “Free Energy Movement” has damaged our ability to communicate more than almost any other. One cannot even engage in a conversation about energy in the modern era without being shadowbanned, accosted, or worse, due to curiosity.
Shameful behavior by the supposed academics and controllers at large.
I digress…
Let’s analyze
“Electrical energy and magnetism will change the world.”
Joseph Henry, discoverer of electromagnetism
First, we need to travel back to 1808 to the office of the famed English Physicist and Chemist Humphry Davy, whose developments in arching electricity between two poles leads to ‘arch lighting’ technologies. Davy envisions this technology could be used in Construction sites, Lighthouses, and other Public Areas.
Though I won’t bore you with it here, Davy had an especially interesting life - not only the mentor to a young Michael Faraday (Faraday’s Law) but also discovering a literal list of periodic elements while disproving a variety of scientific notions held at the time. Worth the read if you have the time. (Links below)
Moving forward and backward from this point, history gets a little muddled in both directions—a true loss. Moving forward towards 1829, a scientist named Joseph Henry from New York made some startling discoveries regarding the principles of Electromagnetism, further expanding off the work of others before him.
This development leads us to another Englishmen named Henry Wilde of 1864, who began the development of the existing Magneto-Electric Machine, as seen here:
This original machine was hefty at around 4,400 pounds (2,000 Kilos) and could produce just under 700 Watts (0.0007MW) power. An industrial building was constructed immediately next to the object to be lit, which held this massive contraption and its steam-powered drive system. Unfortunately, this machine was plagued with various problems, namely the magnetically-weak and permanent magnets, which were difficult to install and required consistent maintenance. In addition, the magnets often lost their magnetism from the machine’s vibrations and required difficult replacement.
Wilde was able to make some improvements to the machine, but nothing like what was followed by the esteemed German inventor Werner von Siemens in 1866. Siemens spent considerable time researching this piece of machinery, which led to a series of revolutionary developments. Through Siemens, the machine significantly reduced in size, weight, and cost while maintaining the original power output. A true revolution at the time, but nothing compared to what he accomplished next.
As Siemens worked on this design, he discovered something truly revolutionary, which we today call ‘The Dynamo-Electric Principal,’ which led to his invention of the Dynamo-Electric Machine, a replica of which is seen here:
In September 1866, Siemens constructed a ‘Double T Anchor’ with an electromagnet connected in series to further explore the principle of ‘Self-Induction.’
Simply put: Self-Induction is a special case of Mutual Inductance within a singular circuit.
Mutual Inductance, simply put: One moving circuit inspires another circuit to motion when near each other.
By turning the anchor by hand, a low-level generation of energy was produced, which within a few seconds, quickly grew in power. The result destroyed Siemen’s glow tube (used to measure the effect) and melted the connecting wires from the machine. Nevertheless, Siemen was ecstatic at the discovery, writing to his brother William:
“The effects will be colossal, given the right construction. This whole thing has great potential for development and can pave the way for a new era in electromagnetism!”
He continued further, considering the commercial impacts of the device:
“Magnetic electricity will be cheaper as a result, and now light, galvanic metallurgy, etc., and even small electromagnetic machines that get their power from large ones will be possible and useful!”
With Siemen’s design being far more compact and robust in construction, he increased the speed of the anchor significantly, allowing for higher power output. In addition, through the use of Electromagnets (still heavily used today), he was further able to greatly increase the power output while significantly reducing the difficulty and need for maintenance.
Siemens discovered that with a higher rotation of the anchor, and a higher magnetism, he could significantly increase the electric output of the machine. His report on this discovery was titled “On the Transformation of Mechanical Energy into Electric Current without the Application of Permanent Magnets,” and presented to the ‘Prussian Academy of Sciences on January 17th, 1867. The exact location 48 years later was where another German man named Albert would make his revolutionary presentation regarding General Relativity.
Electrifying Forward
“It would be hard to imagine life without electrical energy. The dynamoelectric principle began to unfold its full potential shortly after it was discovered. The world’s first electric railway was built in 1879, followed by the first electric elevator one year later – and the number of innovations increased year after year.
Lighting, transportation, overhead contact lines – the dynamoelectric principle revolutionized all spheres of life, including industry and the business community. Electricity became affordable and was an increasingly available source of propulsion. But it continued to be generated based on the electrodynamic principle. With the difference that today’s generators from Siemens can produce billions of times more electricity than the dynamo of 1866.”
-Siemens AG, Corporate History, Wayback Machine Archive. 2002-2017
Magneto-Generator
Developments continued over the next few decades, with the Magneto still in consideration. Remarkedly, the invention of the Dynamo Generator with a self-exciting field coil (magnetic field) through a mounted Magneto, seen here:
As time moved forward, the Magneto was left behind, almost forgotten. Nevertheless, the Dynamo and field coil inventions inspired the modern, though inefficient, alternator and various dynamo-related technologies. The Magneto was relegated to low-power operations running spark plugs on timed intervals, such as in 2-piston lawnmowers and chainsaws, which didn’t require the costly inclusion of a battery/dynamo combination, along with small aircraft and some luxury vehicles.
Modern Magnetos, as they are used, are tuned to produce electrical sparks across a spark plug of 20,000 Volts per interval, delivering these intervals in tune with a piston rotation of a two-piston motor. In addition, a few notable advancements have taken place, such as interval timing, efficiencies within the circuitry, better magnetics, and mechanical inclusion of other additions like distributors. Magnetos can also be built in either low-voltage or high-voltage units (formally called ‘tension’).
As quoted:
“The use of ignition magnetos is now confined mainly to engines where there is no other available electrical supply, for example, in lawnmowers and chainsaws. It is also widely used in aviation piston engines even though an electrical supply is usually available. In this case, the Magneto’s self-powered operation is considered to offer increased reliability; in theory, the Magneto should continue operation as long as the engine is turning.”
-Ignition Magneto Wiki
Considering these devices, which have held their simplicity and reliability for a hundred years, it’s interesting how little information exists about them outside rare technical literature. Considering the device and its interval (timed) function, it seems relatively surprising these aren’t in use more often.
Development Questions
Is it not possible that we could remove some excess uses of batteries from auxiliary equipment through further development? Namely, RV’s, boats, and other small powered equipment?
Could this technology not be used parallel with a modern battery system like a battery trickle charger? Within electric chainsaws and mowers already converting electric energy to motion, the drive power is already supplied - anything the Magneto returns to the system is a saving as the work input is far less than the output of the Magneto.
Are there any military applications? Specifically, in-field operations where power and batteries (increasingly) are being used.
What is the maximum theoretical output of the Magneto?
Is it possible to have four or more of these devices in tandem, each timed in sequence to the others in the series, whereby the outflow of energy is more to an A/C pulse than a sporadic interval current?
Assuming modern technology, rare earth minerals, and other advancements - can this design be improved to offer new solutions and capabilities for developing other technologies or products?
With the advancements of magnets, materials, and apparatus, why haven’t we ever reconsidered the use of permanent-mounted magnetic field generation, especially with self-exciting electromagnetic fields, to boost output? If constructed to be ‘intrinsically safe,’ this contraption could have some interesting use cases in various industries depending on its theoretical limitations, which seem to be unknown with modern capabilities.
Modern Power Transmission
Fast forward through time and the many advances produced, a few interesting additions were created to deal with issues that began to occur with modern electricity transmission.
Namely - Current Faults.
From an outside perspective, our power grids are designed to solve an issue created during the power transmission process. Namely, moving high-density electricity through a conductor (wire) creates an electromagnetic field that causes a linear building of current which must be discharged to prevent damage, fire, and arching. This process leads to the excessive waste of electricity, including a loss of primarily produced electricity from the source.
Interesting Phenomena: Fault Currents are when electric current flows through a circuit during an electrical fault condition. Essentially, the current is several times larger in magnitude than the current, which usually flows through the circuit in a no-fault state. Therefore, exceeding the cable’s designated load capacity (current carrying capacity or amps) can result in melting the cable or connections, fires, explosions, and even electrical arcs.
To resolve this issue and others, engineers have produced a variety of inventions such as semiconductors, transistors, diodes, circuit breakers, and other impedance controls to combat growing linear currents and other issues with power.
It appears as if our electrical systems are attempting to correct for a linear growth of current, which occurs around the generation of electrical fields of moving electrons across conductors (wires).
This is to say, electricity is doing what electricity does, and modern solutions to this problem are to discharge the excess power that our conductors accumulate via the creation of a natural electromagnetic field. Or to resist through ‘impedance’ mechanisms and devices such as ‘quenching.’
This ‘quenching,’ as it’s called, of excess electricity from the grid is done for obvious safety reasons and at a high cost. This process leads to excessive waste of electricity from the primary source and is required in periodic intervals along any distance measure.
Specifically considering high voltage direct current lines (HVDC), which are the most efficient for energy transmission, this linear growth of current has led to interesting technological developments to counter the problem, such as the invention of ‘damping controller’ systems or ‘Fault-Ride Through’ such as the ‘Dynamic Braking Resistor’ from IEEE.
Damping, simply put: Is the build-up of resistance within a conductor or the creation of a fault condition.
Power reaches the consumer via distribution and transmission systems. The SF6 circuit breaker was introduced in 1964 to switch the increasingly high voltages being transmitted. It operated with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as the quenching agent. Before this, they used Oil and Water-based.
Why doesn’t the concentration of energy within the system balance itself across the system? Why does it need displacement if the system conditions are constant?
See Further - Drift Current, Circuit Breakers
Forward Developments
Utilizing this phenomenon might be an exciting development in the future. Whether that use comes from a better conductive material or perhaps a re-consideration of current systems, much like Siemens did so long ago. Whereas looking at the Magneto, it is not entirely utilized, so there is a high possibility of potential. Limitations in rare-earth minerals and battery capabilities will necessitate consideration of other prospects. Who knows, maybe one of these systems can be reduced in size, small enough to fit inside a phone.
Now that would be revolutionary.
Conclusion
As it always was and always will be, tomorrow’s advancements come from yesterday’s ideas. Every man of science stands upon the shoulders of those before them and attempts to prove or improve to the best of their capabilities. Unfortunately, most advancements in science are relatively incremental, small, and almost entirely unnoticed until a breakthrough occurs, which propels humanity forward in understanding and application.
It is essential to look back through our history with a critical eye. To map the minds and men who changed the world and traject forward. Looking forward, our world requires another Siemens or Wilde to see what we’ve built and the possibilities.
Perhaps, that man or woman is you.
“Without such freedom there would have been no Shakespeare, no Goethe, no Newton, no Faraday, no Pasteur and no Lister.”
—Albert Einstein’s speech on intellectual freedom at the Royal Albert Hall, London, having fled Nazi Germany, October 3rd, 1933. [82]
Or perhaps that time won’t come for another 50 years or more. So regardless of the Physicist, the Engineer, or the Inventor who solves any of these problems - there’s a Pulitzer prize and 8 Billion thankful humans waiting for you at the finish line. Assuming you are still allowed to mention the word ‘energy’ outside a lecture hall by that time.
Thank you, in advance.
As always,
Farewell and Good Luck.
-Dark Philosopher
Observer Critical Questions:
If we could solve the power issue, what does that mean for existing power of all types?
What was Einstein’s last theory he was trying to solve on his deathbed and never did?
Riddle: Something in this article is Broken, but everyone thinks it’s fine. A broken clock is right twice a day, and a broken motor runs just fine. So grab your Passports, Look Ahead, and maybe you’ll figure it out in Time.
Whatever you do, don’t say a word, as that could be
Article Updates
November 16th, 2023 - Fixed Layout, Format, Signature, Some Grammar
November 17th, 2023 - Updated Audio
Resources
https://web.archive.org/web/20161117173023/http://www.siemens.com/global/en/home/company/topic-areas/dynamo-electric-principle.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20161022101436/http://www.siemens.com/history/en/werner_von_siemens_bicentennial.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20170708132114/https://www.siemens.com/history/en/innovations/
https://web.archive.org/web/20170324173042/http://www.siemens.com/history/en/innovations/power.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_magneto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker#Origins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current#Corona_discharge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_charge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospective_short-circuit_current
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_mobility
https://www.elprocus.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-faults-in-electrical-power-systems/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sir-Humphry-Davy-Baronet
https://www.biography.com/scientist/humphry-davy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamo
https://www.nde-ed.org/Physics/Electricity/electroinduction.xhtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Faraday#Electricity_and_magnetism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussian_Academy_of_Sciences
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_magnet_synchronous_generator
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/home.jsp
https://www.nde-ed.org/Physics/Electricity/
Pictures
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Alternator_from_Allen_generating_set%2C_ex-Malvern.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Henry#/media/File:Birthplace_Of_Modern_Electricity.jpg