A metal ball is attracted by 2 rows of pemanentmagnets, the ball roles up a small ramp because each magnet is a bit closer to the center of the ramp. The magnetic field at the end of the ramp is not strong enough to prevent the ball from falling off the ramp. It effectively drops out-of the magnetic field.

This device is also known as the SMOT

what happens

The ball rolls up the ramp while being attracted to the 2 rows of magnets. This causes the ball to become a magnet it self. As both sides of the ramp are of the same polarity both sides of the ball will become the same other polarity. The ball being slightly magnetised at the beginning of the ramp has 2 north poles and 2 south poles. BUT when it moves up the ramp the field intensity increases the flux grows exponential (the ball is even moving) So in stead of 4 poles the ball now becomes a magnet with only 2. This causes the attraction at one side of the ball to fail and allows the ball to drop out of the fields

 

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here is a patent of one.

There are various other options for making our ramp.

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We have a history full of attempts to close the loop on devices like this. To use the parameters in this example, the biggest problem is the magnetization of the ball followed by irregular field increases in some of the magnets, more of the same effect if you ask me. regauging, back emf, static buildup, magnetic lock up etc etc.

magnetmotor