Mendocino Solarmotor Version1

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Mendocino Solarmotor (Version 1) See the video: https://youtu.be/PrX47TS6dWE This is a functional model of a Mendocino motor, a solar-driven brushless motor with magnetic suspension system. Originally developed by Daryl Chapin in 1962 and extended with a magnetic suspension by Larry Spring in 1994 in the town of Mendocino, CA, where his tool shop was located and which inspired the name of the motor. For more details see Wikipedia The Principle: Each solenoid is attached on one side to two parallel connected solar cells (minus pole on one side and plus pole on the opposite side) and vice versa. One unit consists of two solarmodules on top, the coil between, and two solarmodules on the bottom side. This motor consists of four of these units, staggered at an angle of 45 degrees. In total, you need four coils and 16 solar modules. If the upper pair of solar cells gets illuminated, a potential difference is applied to the ends of the corresponding coil, generating an electric current through the windings of the coil. This produces a magnetic field around the coil wire resulting in a perpendicular force to this wire (F = I*LxB). As the coil is located in the magnetic field of the stator Nd-magnet, this force produces a torsional moment and the frictionless suspended rotor begins to turn. This movement brings the next row of solar panels into the light focus while the last row moves towards shadow. So the next coil produces another torsion, and the same procedure goes on. The permanent repeat of this leads to the rotor's spin. The advantages of my design are that the coils sit nearly invisible inside the cage of panels, the panels are close together building an outer hull of the rotor. And at last, the design with 4 coils and 8 panel rows gives a smooth rotation of the motor. What you need: * 100 gr enamelled copper wire on coil, diameter 0.22 mm * 1x ball pen tip from an old pen, cleaned with alcohol to remove the paint * 8x carbon fiber tube 55 mm length, ID 2.8 mm, OD 4.0 mm * 1x carbon fiber tube 150 mm length, ID 2.8 mm, OD 4.0 mm * 16x Polycrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Panels 0.5V/100mA (Size: 53 x 18 x 2.5 mm) * 6x Nd-Magnet 10 x 5 mm with hole 4 mm * 1x Nd-Magnet 40 x 20 x 5 mm (Stator) * 1x glass specimen slide of 1 mm thickness (cut quadratic) * Hot glue gun The most difficult work: As shown in the Schaltplan-Sheet solder the modules together and connect the coil after you have inserted it in the outer module support. This is a little bit tricky as you may not touch the PLA printed support with the hot solder iron, and the space through the spokes of the outer support rings is quite limited. At last, mount the Nd-bearing magnets onto the axis. Use the hülse.stl parts to fix the magnets in right place (They can be cutted the right length if needed). Startup: Set the rotor onto the magnetic bearings and switch the light on from top! The motor should start. If there is a small unbalance, you should give the rotor a small push in one direction. Have fun!