Lifter :: Biefeld-Brown Effect (Simple and Works)

[Zark]

Perhaps I shuold change the title since "anti-gravity" is
(apparently) not the correct description for this effect.
(OK, it has now been changed)

This web site shows you how to build your own "lifter".
J.Naudin has done a great deal of research on the subject..
http://jnaudin.free.fr/lifters/main.htm


""...The technology behind these Weird Science lifters is
theoretically based on the Biefeld-Brown effect. Although the
physical basis for this effect is not presently understood, the
maverick American physicist Thomas Townsend Brown once said it
provided a directional thrust against the force of gravity.

The Asymmetric Capacitor sounds like something straight out of a
science fiction movie. Indeed, many scientists have attributed
the phenomenon to "ionic wind". But a report by the Army
Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland describes the unknown
force, saying "The calculations indicate that ionic wind is at
least three orders of magnitude too small to explain the
magnitude of the observed force on the capacitor.".. ""
http://www.virtuallystrange.net/ufo/upd ... -005.shtml


* Many many people have replicated these simple "lifter" devices,
here is a log book of people from around the world who have sent
in photogra[hs of their experiments.
http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/lfreplog8.htm


* ""Lifter Project - The FIRST MANNED FLIGHT
ORVILLE, the mouse, is the 1st Worldwide Electronaut""
http://lifterproject.online.fr/orville/

[Zark]

* This document appears to describe how lifters work by creating ionised air molecules and driving them downwards for thrust.
http://www.blazelabs.com/l-vacuum.asp
I did read that NASA research had shown this ion wind effect to be far far too small to provide this amount of lift. But I would need to find a supporting document for that claim.

[Guest]

Since this device requires high voltages.. Here is a forum that deals with gigh voltage experiments, projects, etc. Plenty of traffic there:
http://www.4hv.org/?op=forum

[Guest]

* Title: Artificial ElectroGravity Fields
4 axioms of electro-gravity and diagrams of the theory.
And more information on Townsend Brown
http://www.electrogravityphysics.com/ht ... avity.html

[Guest]

* Thomas Townsend Brown - The official site
A physicist who was "a leader in developing theories concerning the link between electromagnetic and gravitational fields theorized by Dr. Albert Einstein."
http://www.ttbrown.com/

[Zark]

Lachie posted an interesting link in another thread. There are some other interesting anti gravity inventions on this site :
http://www.rexresearch.com/

[Vesko]

NASA have been granted a patent on this effect although it's a clear ripoff (read the patent text abstract in the article below) from T. T. Brown, the original inventor. Although in public announcements NASA says this effect is due to nothing but ionized wind, an internal NASA memo contradicts this by stating that there are unknowns and they are to be researched.

http://www.infinite-energy.com/iemagazi ... rphen.html

The term used by people working with this is electrogravitics.

[bomohwkl]

Biefeld-Brown effect: Misinterpretation of corona wind phenomena
Tajmar M
AIAA JOURNAL
42 (2): 315-318 FEB 2004

Document type: Article Language: English Cited References: 24 Times Cited: 0

Abstract:
With its theoretical origins dating back to the early 1920s, the Biefeld-Brown effect was believed to be responsible for the generation of thrust in capacitor configurations exposed to high voltage. This thrust was claimed to be unrelated to corona wind phenomena and to exist in vacuum. These claims, although only published in patents, survived until recent publications for very advanced propulsion concepts. Brown's and similar work, as well as credible theoretical and experimental studies relating to the Biefeld-Brown effect, are reviewed. Moreover, an experiment was carried out to investigate any thrust not related to corona discharges. No thrust was detected within the accuracy of the experimental setup. This puts new boundaries on any anomalous Biefeld-Brown force. Measurements indicate that such anomalous force must be at least five orders of magnitude below corona wind phenomena and must have at least a two orders of magnitude higher power-to-thrust ratio compared to traditional electric propulsion thrusters. Hence, even if the effect exists, it would not be attractive for space propulsion. The obtained results suggest that corona wind effects were misinterpreted as a connection between gravity and electromagnetism.

Ooopppsss

[Zark]

Biefeld-Brown effect: Misinterpretation of corona wind phenomena

hi bomo,
yep the link in the second post is about exactly this matter. They are calling these lifters 'ionocrafts' since they supposedly work by creating an 'ion wind' (aka: corona wind).

Others note that the 'ion wind' generated is not quite adequate to produce the desired lift. There is also a demonstration showing how these 'ionocrafts' still provide lift even when the 'ion wind' is disabled by insulating the capacitor. Here are two good links on this matter:
http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/lifteriw.htm
http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/nasarep.htm

[Zark]

This last link has a response from NASA on this subject saying that ion wind is a credible explanation for the behaviour of these lifters.. The NASA statement also says :

There are, however, still some unresolved issues. Specifically, during the Talley tests (ref. below), anomalous forces were observed during the on/off transients -- anomalies that were never resolved.
from: http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/nasarep.htm

These 'on/off' anomalies sound reminiscent of the high voltage discharges Podkletnov's apparatus:
http://www.arxiv.org/PS_cache/physics/p ... 108005.pdf
http://www.americanantigravity.com/podkletnov.html

Discharges originating from a superconducting ceramic electrode are accompanied by the emission of radiation which propagates in a focused beam without noticeable attenuation through different materials and exerts a short repulsive force on small movable objects along the propagation axis.
from: http://www.arxiv.org/PS_cache/physics/p ... 108005.pdf

[Zark]

Excellent discussion on the matter of lifters, including whether the effect is purely a matter of 'ion wind', can be found here:
http://afghanistanwar.com/showthread.php?t=51575

[Zark]

* NASA document. Title: Asymmetrical Capacitors for Propulsion
http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/reports/2004/ ... 213312.pdf

I looked everywhere for the document by Robert.L.Talley which NASA says found some unexplained anomolies in the behaviour in the T.T.Brown device. So far the best that I have found is this abstract from a 102 page document :

from: http://www.stormingmedia.us/35/3587/A358732.html
SPACE TECHNOLOGY: Astronautics
Twenty First Century Propulsion Concept
Authors: Robert L. Talley; VERITAY TECHNOLOGY INC EAST AMHERST NY

Abstract: This contract explored the Biefield-Brown effect which allegedly converts electrostatic energy directly into a propulsive force in a vacuum environment. The program emphasized the the experimental exploration of this electrostatic thrust-generation concept to confirm or deny its existence, to verify its operation under high vacuum conditions, and to establish an experimental database via tests with candidate devices to permit the nature and magnitude of its thrust to be determined. An improved laboratory test configuration was developed for quantifying electrostatically induced propulsive forces on selected devices. This configuration used a vacuum chamber and diffusion pump arrangement which extended conditions to the 1 microtorr range. While attempts were made to increase the driving DC voltage to 50 kV or more, the driving voltages were generally limited to about 19 kV to avoid electrical breakdown problems. Boundary effects arising from the presence of induced surface charges on the walls of the vacuum chamber surrounding the test devices were significant, and had to be taken into account in using the torsion pendulum system to make thrust force measurements. Direct experimental results indicate that no detectable propulsive force was electrostatically induced by applying a static potential difference up to 19 kV between the electrodes of test devices under conditions in which electrical breakdowns did not occur.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Final rept. 7 Feb 89-7 Jul 90
Pages: 102
Report Date: MAY 91
Report number: A358732

There is another similar abstract here:

from: http://www.stormingmedia.us/73/7357/A735791.html
21ST Century Propulsion Concept
Authors: Robert L. Talley; VERITAY TECHNOLOGY INC EAST AMHERST NY

Abstract: This Phase I effort was intended to explore the Biefield-Brown effect, which allegedly converts electrostatic energy into a propulsive force. Activities under this program emphasized the experimental exploration of this electrostatic thrust-generation concept to verify its existence, to verify its operation in a vacuum, and to establish the magnitude of its thrust. To meet these goals an overall laboratory test configuration was designed and developed for quantifying the electrostatically induced propulsive forces on selected experimental devices. This configuration utilized a vacuum chamber with a torsion fiber type measurement system for direct assessment of propulsive forces. Geometrical symmetries were incorporated in the design to minimize the influence of reaction forces which can arise from nearby bodies, including the walls of the vacuum chamber itself. Tests were conducted at atmospheric pressure and over a range of partial vacuum conditions. Direct experimental results indicate that when an electrostatic potential difference is applied between asymmetrical electrodes of an all metal test device, a residual propulsive force is generated and acts on the device. This residual force acts in the opposite direction to electrical wind forces and to the forces claimed to have been measured in a vacuum by T.T. Brown. Keywords: Electrostatic field propulsion; Electrostatic force generation; Payloads; Launching; Maneuvers; Space propulsion. (aw)

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Final rept. 7 Jul 87-7 Jan 88
Pages: 73
Report Date: APR 1988
Report number: A735791

[Zark]

I emailed Jean-Louis Naudin (the owner of a very detailed 'Lifter' web site) regarding the comment from NASA and the anomolous results that Talley had.

He said:

Yes, this is a proof that there is thrust in full vaccum...
The Full Talley tests report can be downloaded at :
http://foldedspace.com/Twenty%20First%2 ... mplete.zip

The anomalies are discussed on page 83 of the report (page 89 of the PDF).