Perpetual Motion Inspiration
When we discussed engine cycles and efficiency in lecture, I was interested in finding ways
to improve the efficiency and create systems that are more sustainable. Perpetual motion
Jacob Mix Advisor: Dr. Arif EME 320
achieves this in theory but is not possible in real world applications. I wanted to study how
to apply the idea of perpetual motion to improve efficiency of machines.
Background Application
• Perpetual motion machines can run indefinitely without the • Cogeneration is the combined generation of both electrical and thermal energy.
Typically the secondary losses, such as steam or heat are gathered and utilized to
supply of an outside power source. They are impossible to
help power subsystems.
create in real life due to the Laws of Thermodynamics.
• Collecting the heat from a car engine and converting that energy to help power
• The first Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be electrical systems like the radio, clock, and break lights. The heat could also be
created or destroyed, only transferred to another energy type. used to regulate temperature within the car. This application is found in many
Perpetual motion machines of the first kind violate this law. hybrid cars. Toyota stated in 2017 that this method allowed an overall increase in
• The second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy of the efficiency of 65%.
Universe increases and that the change in entropy can never • Power plants often send the output heat from one system to another to reduce
be negative. Perpetual motion machines of the second kind the amount of energy needed from an external source. These power plants often
violate this law. operate 50 to 70 percent more efficiently.
• Efficiency is the ratio of useful work performed to the energy • AC systems create a heat exchanger between the fresh outside air and the used
𝑊
or heat taken in. It is represented by the equation, 𝑛 = 𝑊 𝑥 100% 𝑜𝑢𝑡 warm air. This means the used air will help heat the new air, which allows less
𝑖𝑛
energy to be used to heat the cold air being brought into the building.
Figure 1 shows a perpetual motion machine of the first Figure 2 displays a common micro-cogeneration system. Similar Figure 3 shows the Beverly clock, which has not been
systems are found in commercial buildings. Fuel is supplied to the externally powered since 1864. The clock uses a pressurized
kind. As the wheel spins the balls would roll, creating a
engine which generates electricity. The engine byproduct (hot air) is chamber, that expands and contracts with the change in
downward force. Theoretically this would allow the then sent to a heat exchanger. The air’s thermal energy is then
temperature. This chamber requires a change of 6 degrees
wheel to run indefinitely, but realistically there are transferred to a heat reserve, which will later be used for hot water or
Celsius to power the clock for an entire day.
losses due to friction. heating systems.
[1] Allain, Rhett.The Physics of a Puzzling Perpetual Motion Machine.Wired, Conde Nast, 30 Jan. 2019,www.wired.com/story/the-physics-of-a-puzzling-perpetual-motion-machine/. [2] Ugc.“Beverly Clock.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 15 Feb. 2010,www.atlasobscura.com/places/beverly-clock.[3] Toyota Motor. “Toyota Starts Trial of a Hybrid Power Generation SystemToyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website, global.toyota/en/detail/16581051.
