Re: toroidal perpetual motion machine

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 20:46 6/28/00 -0400, you wrote:
> ... The correct answer must predict the correct behavior for this
> entire family of tubes.  It will pass dimensional-analysis
> tests.  Conversely, dimensional analysis can help you more quickly escape
> from the clutches of tempting but fruitless approaches.


Oh well, enough fun for one puzzle: just as the thermodynamic efficiency
of the four stroke is controlled by the adiabatic temperature change
 of the compression stroke - or in brief, by its compression ratio
(rather than the flame temperature, as some folks think...)
this little puzzle may be addressed without reference to one of those
154 dimensionless numbers adorning the chart in my office, courtesy of
Omega, by simply treating the various surfaces adjacent to the tube
as yet another heat engine  whereby heating is applied with increased
surface area, or the temperature drops.

 There you go: who'd 'a thought it!

  What's more, rubber when heated makes an amusing heat engine - so with
 a little creative design effort, I expect some soul with an experimental
 bent (and a heat source and sink) *could* in fact get that ol' rubber
torus a rollin! Wouldn't that be fun.   :-)


brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK