[scorpydude]

Pretty amazing...

http://www.magnomatics.com/

Quote:

Magnomatics' revolutionary contactless, lubricant-free magnetic transmissions and ultra high-torque electrical machines offer dramatic new engineering possibilities for a range of applications including wind turbines, hybrid vehicles and marine propulsion systems where high reliability, low maintenance, compactness and high efficiency are paramount.

http://www.magnomatics.com/images/flash ... earPDD.wmv

[Teracis]

On my phone so it's not displaying properly but this sounds like the eddy current couplings revisited, will read later but sounds cool as!

[Gwagensteve]

That's freakin cool.

Pretty much when you think that surely every simple mechanical device has been invented already, along comes something gob-smackinly elegant.

Steve.

[neofitou]

If it really works as well as they say, I can see the demand for neodymium going crazy, most of mines around the world have shut down because they couldnt complete with prices from china, and now they seem to be limiting supply to raise the prices.

I guess if this does become mainstream the other mines will open again, meaning there will be enough supply so we can have enough permenent magnets...

Now would be a good time for a new tech to come into play, they have been going for 12 years now, I wonder if they have any applied in production..?
I couldnt tell from my phone in Vanuatu...

[christover1]

I'd replace my auto with one made of magnets, would be rather good

[Trypt]

Would it be possible to have a variable ratio?
somewhat like a cvt. that would surely revolutionise the automotive industry if it was a viable option.

[scorpydude]

Trypt yes, it would be possible, by replacing the outer magnets with electromagnets... and switching N/S poles based on the rotation of the 4 internal magnets... although the practicality (electrical system to support it) and price point for it in a car ... might be prohibitive ... would be interesting to investigate in a scaled down model...

One thing is for sure though, it would be a damn sight easier to service and last longer then normal transmissions.

I do wonder about extreme torque / bindup slippage though... at least with cogs it aint gonna slip... until it breaks...

[3cyl]

Seems to be the same concept as eddy current couplings. I still have them at quarrys where I work. Full torque available from about 50 RPM ro 2200. Day in day out in dust and rain, no variable speed or DC drive can do what they do. Old technology too.