Finsrud Perpetual Motion Machine Revealed?

This is a working model of how I believe the Finsrud perpetual motion machine actually works. I was quite fascinated by Reidar Finsrud's Perpetuum Mobile, but much more fascinated by people's reactions to it. I suspect that the latter was one of the real motivations for its creation, especially given his reputation as a very clever and versatile artist. He clearly has a playful sense of humor. Finsrud actually says very little about the Perpetuum Mobile. I haven't found a specific quote where he actually claims it is a perpetual motion machine. He sort of talks around it and drops hints, but let's other people make the enthusiastic claims and speculations.

Obvious I could not resist participating! I recognized that the three cylindical magnets are electromagnets--which don't work as magnets unless they have electrical power supplied to them. How could I tell? One of the pictures shows the underside of one of these magnets. These electromagnets have a metal bar in the center, a coil wound around the core and protected by a seal of epoxy, and then an outer metal shell around the coil and the core. So the bottom will show a disk in the middle which is the end of the core, with a ring of epoxy of a different shade around that, and then an outer ring that is the edge of the shell. This is exactly what you see in the picture. In the video they clearly bob when the steel ball rolls past, so each one is powered on when the ball passes by. This led me to focus on the parts of the machine that could be used to turn the magnets on at the right time to give the ball a little boost as it approaches each magnet. That led to my demonstration.

However, this is not PROOF that Finsrud actually did it this way. I've only presented a PLAUSIBLE explanation and demonstrated it with a working model. Clearly there are usually a number of ways you can get the same effect, so you can't be sure you know how it was done unless the perpetrator actually shows you how it was done.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• perpetual motion machine
• Reidar Finsrud

[Nick4202010]

so basically the pendulums in the real machine are a red herring?

[Catspincushion777]

@Nick4202010 That's my guess!

[Catspincushion777]

@theufohunter123 To all who frequenty comment that this is not a perpetual motion machine, that is the whole point. This was posted as a video response to a post that portrayed the Finsrud machine as a perpetual motion machine, even though Finsrud himself claimed the longest it ever ran was 14 days. This working model was based on some rather obvious clues as to how the Finsrud machine really works.

[KimKim565]

This has nothing to do with the finsrud at all, dumbass.

[Catspincushion777]

@Erikiperik Comments like your's are very refreshing to read. It tells us more about the man himself, especially the artist, which is what I especially admire about him. I love his art and his versatility and inventiveness. He is as artistically adept with mechanical inventiveness (as art) as he is with his more traditional art. One of my favorite artists.

[Erikiperik]

@Erikiperik I need more words.. after reading norwegian interviews and getting to know him as my teacher, I was left with the impression that he sees this only as an work of art. By that I mean; It is meant to inspire scientists to think in new ways, because modern science has stated that a perpetuum mobile is impossible. so they don`t even try to make these machines(at least back in the 80s). In their world it is like trying to prove that 2+2=5. he lets his art live its own life..

[Erikiperik]

@Catspincushion777 I am from norway and participated at a drawing course led by Finsrud. Apart from beeing a working artist, he holds these art courses... then he didnt talk about the machine, only mentioned it. because he is primarily an artist! and eccentric inventor second. Not to compare, but in a way he is a Leonardo da vinci type. very intelligent, creative and productive. has lots of ideas, but he is NOT an educated scientist.

[jones81381]

This machine is pointless. This is no more perpetual motion than a ceiling fan is. The only thing that keeps the ball spinning is the electric current. Perpetual motion means once set in motion, it will stay in motion indefinitely without an external power source. This clearly requires an external power source.

[Fuliginosus]

If only the rotating ball could somehow recharge the batteries...it would be like the automaton who does a little dance then uses a key to wind herself up.

[Quantummist]

Conservation of energy only applies to a closed system so any device that gains energy from a system outside itself cannot break the laws of conservation.

[jbwiden]

When I saw the Finsrud Perpetual Motion Machine this was exactly my guess also.

People who say that one could just use a permanent magnet... this does not work as the electromagnet can turn off thus allowing that ball to roll away unimpeded. With a permanent magnet it would tug back on the ball and achieve nothing.

the pendulums are just a red herring.

[DTroySylar]

@tiggxtreme

Exactly

[tiggxtreme]

@DTroySylar No such thing as perpetual motion, or getting out more than you put in.

[Gibbsian36]

I'm convinced that your explanation is right. The picture in Finsrud's website showing the underside of a cylindrical magnet shows that it's an electromagnet, such as you can buy from any distributor.  The sharp bobbing as the ball passes underneath shows that the magnet is switching off. The pendulums are clearly just moving as the ball depresses the levers on the track and the U-shaped magnets are just for show. The battery must be under the central dome or inside the pillar.