My understanding of Dragone's experiments is that he used a straight
forward D.C. supply. This was chopped by the arc switch, with control over
repitition rate and duty cycle. The experimental system adopted by Dragone
utilized quite large coils. Large coil relaxation times are long, and are a
good way around problems with slow off times in a switch, the obvious point
of the excercise being to open circuit the coil without dumping power at
the switch (arcing). In essence, Dragone describes a cyclical chopped D.C.
system, where D.C. is applied to the coil for a short period of time, and
then the system allowed to relax before repeating the process.
It is interesting to note the similarities between Dragone's system and
that of Newman. Both resort to large coils, arc switching, and similar
magnet arrangements. The big difference is in the theory of operation. I've
got a real soft spot for simple answers that work, perhaps Newman does'nt
need such an exotic theoretical loading to explain his claimed overunity
operation. More to the point, perhaps progress along these lines would
proceed much faster towards practical utilization of overunity systems if
the heart of the concept was clear. Converting ambient heat energy into
useful work is mind blowing enough in itself, without the exotic
hypotheticals. The electrical output equivalent of maintaining a 1 Kg
magnet just 10 deg. C below ambient, using this concept, is quite huge. A
global warming solution? <g>.
Regards, Bill.