The magnet motor: The prime mover of the future?

The idea of the magnetic motor as a machine powered solely by magnetic force is not new. In fact, as early as 1269, the scholar Petrus Peregrinus Maricourt described how a serrated wheel could be powered by permanent magnets.

However, nothing is known of a successful implementation. Nevertheless, the idea bore fruit: In the 20th century, inventors and hobbyists increasingly dealt with the theory and claimed that they were able to build working magnet motors themselves. To date, however, no one has succeeded in constructing one. But what makes the principle of the magnet motor so interesting?

How could a self-running magnet motor work?

Researchers have been fascinated by the idea of a magnet-driven motor for centuries because it represents a kind of perpetuum mobile. The motor would constantly produce its own energy without depending on an external energy source.

As a result, drive systems would no longer be dependent on petrol, diesel, or electricity - A revolutionary technological advance, also regarding the environmental compatibility of car engines.

In concrete terms, a magnetic motor would consist of several permanent magnets, which are divided into a stator and a rotor. The magnets would repel and attract each other if they were cleverly arranged in a way that ensures a constant rotary motion.

So much for the idea – but the implementation is difficult. It primarily fails because there is no energy in magnets themselves. The force in permanent magnets is conservative - so no work is done over a cycle.

As a result, the motor would stop moving after a short time and return to the equilibrium position.

Therefore, according to the rules of physics, a magnetic motor that independently generates free energy cannot exist.

That doesn't stop technology enthusiasts from trying their luck anyway. Most recently, a sensational case occurred in 2006:

An American inventor named Mike Brady marketed a magnetic motor for cars - and sold it to paying customers.

However, the promised marvels of technology were never delivered. Four years later, Brady was charged with aggravated fraud and sentenced to five years in prison.

Since then, it has become quiet around the magnet motor.

Permanent magnet motors: This is how the magnet motor principle works

However, there is one type of working magnet motor that has found its way into everyday life: permanent magnet motors. Permanent magnet motors are used in various everyday devices, such as electric toothbrushes.

In contrast to the non-existent magnetic motor just described, which could be used to generate energy or electricity, they work in a similar way to an AC motor - with the help of electromagnetism. They are therefore dependent on a power supply as an energy source.

The so-called stator contains permanent magnets that generate the magnetic field required for the drive.The advantage is that this type of magnetic motor can be produced in a wide variety of sizes - it is perfect for small applications:

In windshield wipers

In air conditioners

In compressors

Permanent magnet motors are used where a high power-to-weight ratio is required with limited installation space.