GB2325778A

GB2325778A - Device for extracting energy using radiation pressure of virtual particles

Info

Publication number: GB2325778A
Application number: GB9710935A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hughes; Peter Charles Somervill Laurie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-29
Filing date: 1997-05-29
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-29
Also published as: GB9710935D0; GB2325778B

Abstract

The device utilizes the Casimir effect whereby two flat parallel conducting plates are pushed together by a small force because of the pressure of virtual photons. The pressure arises because the photons between the plates with a wavelength longer than the gap between the plates are shorted out and thus the pressure in the cavity is less than that outside. As the plates move parallelly together they do useful work. One plate is fixed to an axis and the other is rotated away horizontally, no energy input being required, is pushed up and away from the first plate, and continues to rotate until the plates overlap again. Two plates may be secured to the axis so that a double action is obtained in each cycle of the rotating plate.

Description

A Device for Deriving a Unilateral Net Force (12) This invention relates to a device which will derive a net force and energy and useful power external to the device from the Casimir effect or from the radiation pressure of virtual particles.

In the well known Casimir effect, it is observed that two flat, parallel conducting surfaces placed near to eachother are pushed together by a small force.

This force is usually attributed to the pressure of virtual photons. If there were a single plate they would press equally on both sides. But because there are two, the photons in between them are restricted in wavelength. Those with wavelengths longer than the gap are 'shorted out', and therefore the photon pressure inside the cavity is less than on the outside.

In the invention for which originality is claimed the effect is realised by the attraction together under the Casimir force of two parallel conducting plates A and B. As they move together they do useflil work. When they are very nearly touching they are separated in the plane of their surfaces by sliding B sideways. This separation requires no energy input since the Casimir force acts only normal to the plates. The plates are now moved apart normal to their surfaces. Since the plates are no longer in correspondence., this movement is not opposed by the Casimir force. They are then slid sideways into correspondence again and the cycle repeats.

One convenient method of building the device, but not the only one, might be to mount the plates as vanes on an axle. A is fixed while B is free both to rotate and to move in the direction of the axle.

A cycle takes place in which B rotates around the axle and is also moved towards and away from A in the direction of the axle by a cam or some other suitable mechanism.

At the beginning of the cycle B does not overlap A. There is no Casimir force between the plates. It is moved away from A in the direction of the axle and continues to rotate until the two plates overlap. A and B are now attracted to eachother by the Casimir force. B is allowed to move towards A, doing useful work in the process. Just before A and B are in contact, B is rotated clear of A and the cycle repeats.

The device can be made double acting by providing a third fixed plate C, mounted on the axle like A, but on the other side of B and not in correspondence with A, so that B is attracted away from A in the axial direction towards C at the appropriate point in the cycle.

The effect can be multiplied by providing a number of sets of plates ABC mounted on the same axle as described above..

The energy produced by the device can be used to propel vehicles, drive machinery or to generate electricity in many well known ways.

Claims

A device which extracts energy and power from the radiation pressure of virtual particles.

A device which extracts energy and power from the radiation pressure of virtual particles acting inside a Casimir cavity.

A device which can do useful work derived from the radiation pressure of virtual particles acting inside a Casimir cavity in which two parallel conducting plates held a short distance apart are allowed to move together under the attraction of the Casimir force, are then separated in the plane of the surfaces, moved apart normal to their surfaces, brought into correspondence again and the cycle repeats.

A device substantially as described above which can do useful work derived from the radiation pressure of virtual particles acting inside a Casimir cavity in which two parallel conducting plates held a short distance apart are allowed to move together under the attraction of the Casimir force, are then separated in the plane of the surfaces, moved apart normal to their surfaces, brought into correspondence again and the cycle repeats.

The device may be made double acting by providing a third fixed plate, not overlapping the first fixed plate, which attracts the moving plate away from the first fixed plate.

The effect may be multiplied by providing a number of moving plates and static plates substantially as descibed above.