2024-2120

by Russell Fine

  “Oh my God! Is this for real? Are these the same results you got?” Tim inquired.

  “Yeah.” Albert picked up the pliers placed them back to the workbench, about five feet away and said, “Raise the voltage to two volts and watch the pliers.”

  Tim did as Albert suggested, and just as it happened before, the pliers flew off the workbench and banged into the end of the alloy sample with a loud clang.

  “Pretty amazing stuff, wouldn’t you agree? When I tested sample 178 it exceeded every previous sample by a factor of ten. Please continue the testing to verify the results. While you are doing that I’m going to work on increasing the capacity of the testing apparatus. After you verify the test results please make additional samples. The difference between 178 and 179 was the nickel content. So, increase the nickel by .1 grams in each sample. Sound good?” Albert excitedly.

  “Sure. Let’s get going,” Tim replied.

  For the next two days, Tim worked on creating the samples and Albert modified the testing equipment to increase its measurement capacity. Albert’s first modification increased the measurement capability by a factor of ten, but when he attempted to measure the magnetic field from sample 179 at one volt, he realized his design was inadequate. The system still could not measure the field strength, because it still exceeded the system capacity. Each test came with a newfound realization that they were on the cusp of something very special.

  For the next modification Albert decided to increase the measurement capability by one hundred, so now they could test the fields one thousand times stronger than his original design. Using his new design, he tested the field produced by sample 179 at one volt. At two volts, the field reached seventy of the system’s capacity. He had to shake off the initial shock, and it took him a few seconds to realize what he had discovered. When the shock wore off he yelled, “Tim, you have got to see this.”

  Tim ran over and looked at the computer screen. Like Albert, he could hardly believe what they had found. “Oh, my,” he whispered.

  By late Monday night, the samples were ready. Albert and Tim decided to begin evaluating the new samples on Tuesday morning. They went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Up to this point they had not really discussed what the potential application for their discovery would be. Now that they had some free time, this would be the ideal opportunity to talk about it.

  They found a booth at the back of the restaurant and sat down. A waitress brought menus, took their orders, and left. Then Tim said, “I’m sure you’ve been thinking about how we could use this discovery. Did you figure out how this is going to make us rich?”

  “Not only rich but famous, too,” Albert said with a big smile on his face. “What we have is basically an electromagnetic amplifier. We can take a small electric charge and from that create a very powerful magnetic field. We could then use that magnetic field to create a much larger electric charge. In fact, I think if we do this right, we could even make it self-sustaining.”

  With an astonished look on his face, Tim asked, “You think we can make the first perpetual motion machine?”

  “Except there’s no movement. I’m thinking in terms of the first perpetual battery,” Albert responded excitedly. “All we need is an oscillator to drive the electromagnet and a transformer to pick up the resulting field. We would need some simple circuitry to clean up the output to make true sine waves and we could siphon off some of the resulting power to keep the oscillator running. If it all works, and I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t, we would have a self-sustaining power source!”

  “It sounds crazy. It would appear to violate several known laws of physics. But perhaps we’re discovering new laws. In any case, if it works we’re going to change the world!” Tim said.

  Albert couldn’t sleep that night so he got up at 4:30, showered, dressed, and left for the office by 5:15. When he arrived he found Tim was already there. He had apparently been there for some time because he was putting the finishing touches on a big box made from what looked like steel plates.

  “What is that?” Albert asked.

  “I was concerned about the strength of the magnetic fields. A strong enough field could possibly damage the structural integrity of the building, so I thought we should have something to contain the magnetic field, so I built this protective box from AluMax, its aluminum, iron, and lead alloy that provides excellent magnetic shielding.” Tim replied.

  “Good thinking, I was wondering about that too. However, I think all we need to do is test the samples manually. You saw what happened at two volts, so I think if we start the testing at .5 volts and increase by .25 volt increments we’ll minimize the risk and still get the results we need. However, since you went to the trouble of building the box, I see no reason not to use it,” Albert said.

  It took an hour to mount the testing apparatus inside the box. Albert started the test with sample 178 and there was no change from the previous test. The rest of the 178 samples also showed no change until Albert tested 178.9. The results really changed; at two volts sample 178.9 registered thirteen percent. Obviously, a significant increase, but not even close to the test results from the original 179 sample.

  Albert was nervous as he inserted the new sample 179 into the testing coil. If the results were not the same as the original 179, they would have to spend days or weeks trying to figure out what had happened. As he started the test, his concern vanished. The results were identical to the first sample.

  Next on the list was sample 179.1. Albert began the test at .5 volts, and the results were almost identical to sample 178.9. He continued the testing for the rest of the samples. With each sample, the resulting magnetic field dropped by about ten percent.

  “Do you realize how lucky we were to stumble onto this alloy? We could have easily missed it,” Albert said.

  “Do you think we should try it again with slight variations in the silver and iron content?” Tim asked.

  “Yes, I think we have to do that, but I have a feeling the field strength will probably be less than with 179. Please make samples using the formula for 179 as a base and vary the iron and silver content by one-tenth of a gram in both directions. While you’re doing that I’m going to start working on our power source. Sound like a plan?” All were in agreement and they proceeded accordingly.

  For the next few days, Tim concentrated on making the new alloy samples and Albert worked on what he called the “Simpson Power Module.” He started by designing the oscillator that would supply the power to the coil wrapped around the alloy rod. He designed it so the voltage being supplied to the coil could vary from one volt up to six volts. Then he took an iron rod six inches long and .5 inches in diameter and wound insulated copper wire around the rod one hundred times. He mounted the rod .5 inches from the end of the alloy rod. He attached an oscilloscope to the oscillator output and to the ends of the copper wire so he could check the final results.

  Albert turned on the oscillator and verified it was producing one volt, sixty hertz, square waves. Then he checked the output; it was fifty-six volts. He increased the input voltage to 1.5 volts and the output voltage increased to eighty-four. He stopped there and decided to increase the number of windings on the iron rod by forty percent. He removed the iron rod for the testing system and wound copper wire around the rod one hundred forty times. He placed the iron rod back into the testing system, set the input to 1.5 volts, and checked the output. It measured one hundred seventeen volts as he expected. Albert was very pleased with the initial test results.

  He modified the oscillator circuit to run with a 1.5-volt input and output. He also modified the design so it could run on a battery or a direct power source. When running from the direct power source it cut the power from the battery.

  Albert designed the circuit that would convert the transformer output to a sine wave so it could supply power to any household device. It took two days to design and build the required components. He assembled the prototype device and called Tim over to watc
h the test. The output of the device was now going to a standard electrical outlet and the oscilloscope probe was plugged in. On the input side was a spot for a standard 1.5-volt, D-size battery. Albert inserted a battery, turned on the device, and the output was a perfect sine wave that measured normal household power; one hundred seventeen volts.

  Next, he plugged in a one-half horsepower motor and turned it on. The startup current for the motor was ten amps and he expected to see a drop in the output voltage when the motor was turned on, but that didn’t happen. The voltage stayed constant, and the motor ran perfectly. He had calculated the current drain on the battery powering the system and he expected it to run for an hour. It actually ran for almost an hour and a half before the system shut down.

  Albert and Tim watched the test for the entire time, barely speaking, both of them were waiting for something to go wrong. When the test was over Albert and Tim looked at each other, with extreme surprise and approval obvious on their faces. They did not need words to that it was possible to make the system self-sustaining.

  Albert had to design a power supply for the oscillator, so it would no longer need a battery, except to start the system. He was designing a capacitive discharge system in his head, and while he was working on that, Tim resumed testing the new alloy samples.

  Just as Albert had predicted, the new samples with varying amounts of silver and iron did not exhibit magnetic fields that exceeded alloy 178. It was now apparent the only alloy formula that would work was 179.

  By the following Monday, Albert had completed the necessary design modifications. Tim and Susan both came into the lab to watch the test. The prototype didn’t look very pretty, but when it was turned on it worked perfectly. Albert removed the battery and the system kept running. He plugged in the motor and turned it on. It ran as expected and the system output was still constant at 117-volts.

  Albert and Tim had created the first “perpetual” power supply, and Tim was right. The world would never be the same.

  “I’m not sure how to market this, but for now we need to build some additional systems. I also have to contact NASA and let them know we found the material they need to contain the plasma for their new engine,” Albert said to Tim, then turning to Susan, “Please have an attorney look over the contract we signed with NASA to make sure we own the rights to this. Tim, please make another twenty rods with the 179 formula. I think we should make the next prototypes look more professional, and then set up a test and invite the press. Do you guys agree?”

  “Yeah, but don’t you think NASA is going to figure out what we did? Even if the contract doesn’t indicate that NASA owns the formula, they’re part of the federal government and could tie this thing up in court for years,” Tim said with obvious concern.

  “Let’s find out what the lawyer thinks before we do anything. I think we should go ahead and build the prototypes, but we should wait to call a press conference until we get some legal advice,” Susan responded.

  “That’s a good idea. Please contact an attorney and try to find out where we stand on this. While you’re doing that Tim and I will work on the prototypes.”

  During the next few days, each of them worked on their tasks. Tim created the silver alloy rods while Albert refined on his power supply design and found some plastic boxes that could be used to hold the prototypes. On Tuesday, Susan met with the attorney, who promised to review the contract and get back to her in a day or two.

  On Thursday morning Albert was assembling the first prototype when Susan came into the lab. Albert was so engrossed in his task that he didn’t notice her until she tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up at Susan and saw a big smile on her face.

  “I just heard from the attorney. He said that according to the contract, your only responsibility is to notify NASA of the test results every month. NASA has no rights to anything we develop in the course of our testing. He even said that according to the contract any side-discoveries are ours to use as we see fit as long as the initial ideas go to them. Of course, he paraphrased that for me as it was far more complex.” Susan said happily and then continued, “So, I guess we’re all going to be very rich, right?”

  “If these prototypes work, and I’m sure they will, I’m certain that’s true. Aren’t you glad you dropped out of school to join the company?”

  “Yeah,” Susan replied smiling. “Just don’t screw things up. I’m already dreaming about what it would be like to be wealthy and not have to worry about my monthly bills.”

  “I promise I won’t screw this up. We have another job for our favorite lawyer. Please find out what we need to apply for a patent and ask him if he can handle that for us. If he can’t, ask him to recommend a good patent attorney. One more thing, please go tell Tim what he already said. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to hear the news.”

  Susan left to talk to Tim as Albert continued working on the first prototype.

  An hour later Susan came back into the lab and said, “I heard from our lawyer’s assistant. She told me he doesn’t handle patents, but he did recommend someone. I called her and she’s sending over a package of forms and documentation regarding the patent process. She said we should call her after we review the material and she’ll come here to get the process started.”

  Albert nodded, “that sounds perfect.”

  By Friday morning the first prototype was ready. The unit now utilized a 1.4-volt silver oxide battery that would last for many years. It was built into the circuit. He added a green LED “Power On” light to indicate the system was functioning normally and a red LED “problem” light if the system was malfunctioning, or if an excessive amount of power was being drawn from the unit. It also had four standard outlets built in.

  For a test this time, Albert plugged in a refrigerator, a toaster, and a coffee maker. He flipped the switch and immediately the green light turned on. Then he made a pot of coffee and some toast and sat down to the best breakfast he’d had in a very long time. It seemed as though everything was working perfectly.

  After twelve hours everything still appeared to be working, so Albert, Tim, and Susan all went home. They were all anxious to see if everything was still okay when they came in Saturday morning.

  Albert arrived first at 6:00 AM. When he entered the lab, before turning on the lights, he could see the green light on the prototype. He turned on the lights and walked over to the refrigerator. It was obviously working correctly. Then he made a pot of coffee and waited for Tim and Susan to arrive.

  At 7:30 Tim arrived, and Susan showed up a few minutes later. Albert poured them each a cup of coffee. It was obvious that everything was working perfectly.

  “I have to file a report with NASA in a few days, so I’ll be working on that,” he said. “I would like both of you to concentrate on building the prototypes. I also want to build a unit that can power my house. I think that would be a great test, but I need to make some changes to the power supply. I would like to connect it to my circuit breaker box, and in order to do that, we need to match the line from the power company. We need two supply lines and a neutral line.”

  “When do you want to schedule the press conference?” Susan asked.

  “I would like to have my house running off a power unit for at least a month before we do that. I also want to give each of the reporters a prototype to take home and use. We really need to think about who we should invite, so give it some thought. If we tell them in advance that we have a self-sustaining power supply, they’ll think we’re nuts. So, we need to give some thought to what we can say that will entice them to come. Albert smiled at both of them and continued. “We deserve some time off away from this place. So, no work tomorrow.”

  Albert spent the day completing the report for NASA and decided he would call Jeff Leonard to make him aware of the properties of alloy 179. He thought that since he had found what NASA was looking for they would consider the contract terms fulfilled, terminate the contract, but that was okay. He had more important things to w
ork on now.

  Tim and Susan looked at Albert’s circuit design and realized they didn’t have the parts in stock to build more than two power supplies and oscillators, so Tim ordered the parts they needed. Tim and Susan spent the rest of the day building two power supplies and two oscillators.

  ***

  On Monday morning Albert e-mailed NASA the report and called Jeff Leonard to let him know what he had found. Jeff seemed to be skeptical, to say the least, but Albert told him he would send an alloy rod to him overnight so he would have it in the morning. That way they could test it for themselves. He also told Jeff that he would send the plans for the testing apparatus he was using if they wanted to duplicate exactly what he did.

  He put together everything he needed to send and included a note cautioning them to apply the test voltages in .5-volt increments. He set up the parcel pickup online and according to what the attorney’s office said, this would complete his obligation to NASA.

  At 10:00 AM a messenger arrived with the package from the patent attorney. Albert looked it over; the process appeared to be pretty simple, but he was concerned about whether it was possible to patent the alloy composition. It was a question for the attorney when she came for the meeting. They were going to need photographs, drawings, and schematics for the power module. But since the product was still in the prototype stage he wasn’t ready to do that yet. He asked Susan to set up a meeting with the attorney later in the week.

  To make the unit that would power his house he decided to try using one alloy rod and

  two output transformers. He also needed to use heavy wire for the output transformers so they would be able to handle the required current.

  It looked like a simple modification, but it turned out to be more difficult than he had expected. The position of the output transformers had to be very precise so the output voltage of each side of the system was identical, and that required a special mounting bracket that allowed the position of the output transformers to be adjusted.